It’s man versus mountain.
One racer at a time, battling the clock and whatever Pikes Peak decides to dish out. The possibilities are virtually endless: fog, clouds, downpours, hail, sun, sleet, snow.
No Ordinary Race
This is no oval track on flat ground, folks. The Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb is a whopping 156 turns snaking up 12.42 miles to the 14,115-foot summit of Colorado’s most famous 14er.
Every other day of the year, this is a toll road with a speed limit of 30 mph.
But not on the last Sunday of June. On that day, drivers from around the world have been invited to test their speed and skills up America’s Mountain. Six divisions include everything from a 1949 Ford to a 1974 Datsun to a 2021 Enviate Hypercar.
They don’t track speeds here, but these cars are m-o-v-i-n-g. The fastest time ever recorded was 7:57.148 by France’s Romain Dumas in 2018. Let me repeat that: He drove nearly 12 ½ miles up a mountain road riddled with switchbacks in under 8 minutes.
“It’s a matter of being true to yourself and trusting that you know the road because there really is no room for error up there,” said Tommy Boileau, 2019 Rookie of the Year, who is returning in 2021 in a 1967 Camaro. “If you do make a mistake, it can be catastrophic, if not life-ending, so it’s one of those pills you have to swallow. At the same time, you can’t have fear in the back of your mind. You’ve just got to go into the race fully confident in your abilities and the car underneath you and hope that everything works out.”
Just minutes before Boileau was heading to the starting line in 2019, a race official told him that fellow competitor Carlin Dunne had crashed his motorcycle and died. Dunne is one of seven people who have died during the 98 races to date.
“That’s something that’s incredibly tragic and sad, but it’s one of the risks we all acknowledge when we strap into the racecars to drive up Pikes Peak — that that could be one of the consequences if something goes wrong,” said Boileau. “But I think that’s one of the things that makes that race so special. It’s one of the last old-school type races where the level of risk is so incredibly high that all of the drivers almost have this kind of super hero aura around them.”
A Bit of History
Many race fans know the Indy 500 is the oldest ongoing motorsports competition in the U.S., with its first running was in 1911. But did you know that the second oldest is the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb?
Spencer Penrose launched the first race in 1916 as a way to promote both his Broadmoor Hotel and his newly improved highway to the summit of Pikes Peak. Then, as now, this race is by invitation only. Today’s Open Wheel division echoes the original race. Many other divisions have come and gone over the years, as automotive technology has advanced.
In the late 1950s and early 1960s, the Sports Car division was in vogue including manufacturers such as Porsche, Jaguar, Corvette and even a rear-engine Lotus, driven by Bobby Unser.
In the 1970s, especially, the Stock Car division was wildly popular. By the mid-1980s, the Rally Division was created with French champion Michele Mouton capturing an overall course record on Pikes Peak in 1985 in the Audi Quattro. Bobby Unser returned the following year to take back the King of the Mountain title.
The 1990s saw the Rally Division evolve into the Unlimited Division and one of the most popular drivers, Nobuhiro “Monster” Tajima, notched win after win. In 1994, New Zealander Rod Millen set a course record of 10:04.06 on gravel – a record that would stand for years.
Starting in 2000, the course was paved in segments – a process that would take 12 years. In 2013, Peugeot’s Sébastien Loeb logged a record of 8:13.878 seconds – a time many thought unbeatable.
Fast forward to 2018 with France’s Romain Dumas in his prototype all-electric Volkswagen clocking that jaw-dropping 7:57.148. He’s returning in 2021 – this time in a Porsche.
The race started in 1916 and was only cancelled a few years during World War I and World War II. Interestingly, it’s never been cancelled due to weather.
“Colorado itself is such an anomaly with weather,” Boileau said. “It can be 80 degrees one minute and snowing the next, let alone up on Pikes Peak where from start to finish, you’re climbing over a mile in elevation. It’s definitely very unpredictable.”
Spectators Back on the Mountain
Due to Covid-19, no spectators were allowed on the mountain in 2020.
In their place was the first successful live stream of the event. At least 4 million people tuned in. This year, organizers hope to build upon that success and welcome in-person spectators back onto the mountain, said PPIHC Event Coordinator Josh Hildenbrand, who also handles graphic design and social media.
In a typical year, 5,000 to 6,000 people watch the race in person from seven spectator areas. This year, the numbers may be lower due to Covid-19 restrictions, but just having fans back on Pikes Peak is a victory.
Hill Climb fans? They are the real deal. They don’t show up 10 minutes before the event starts, grab a hotdog and find their seat. These folks reserve a spot and dry camp overnight (the only time camping is allowed on Pikes Peak) or they show up with tickets in hand between 2:30 am-5 am, when gates close. No one leaves until the race is done (usually after 4 pm) because the only way back down the mountain is the same road the drivers are racing up.
The Racers
The fewest number of competitor entries was in 1928 with only six drivers competing. That number has varied wildly over years, approaching 200 in the 1990s. However, since the 100th anniversary of the race in 2016, the number of competitors has been limited to 100.
“It’s a lot more manageable since it’s very typical for bad weather to move over the mountain in the afternoon, and we only have one day to get the competition completed,” said Lisa Haight, PPIHC event coordinator, historian and media relations guru.
Many competitors position themselves even earlier than spectators. Boileau said in 2019, his team was on the mountain between 1:30 am-2 am.
“You kind of just try to start getting into that mindset. … From there, it’s just a matter of not letting the pressure get to you because there is a lot of energy around the pits,” Boileau said.
This year, 63 racers will compete in six divisions: Exhibition, Open Wheel, Pikes Peak Open, Porsche Pikes Peak Trophy by Yokohama, Time Attack 1 and Unlimited. During early morning sessions on the mountain, qualifying sessions determine start time for each racer — typically fastest qualifier to slowest qualifier, no matter which division, with a few exceptions.
There is a winner in each division, and an overall winner “King of the Mountain.”
Besides the return of all-time record holder Dumas and 2019 Rookie of the Year Boileau (of Monument, Colo.), other big stories this year include:
- Dai Yoshihara is back, this time in a Tesla Model 3. He captured the Unlimited division win last year in a Toyota.
- Robin Shute, 2019 King of the Mountain, travels from the UK to try to reclaim his title.
- Rhys Millen returns with a new full-race Bentley Continental GT3 looking for a third record with this manufacturer.
- Tanner Foust, of Top Gear fame, will race in the Porsche Pikes Peak Trophy by Yokohama division, the one-make class featuring the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport.
Racers range from long-time professionals with big support teams to racing enthusiasts who have a great car, apply and receive an invitation to race.
“That’s the cool thing about Pikes Peak,” said the PPICH’s Hildenbrand. “It can be anyone.”
There are 17 rookies in 2021. Steve Goeglein of Falcon, Colo., meanwhile, will race in his 31st Race to the Clouds this year. He is approaching the record of 40 races, held by Randy Schranz of Colorado Springs.
Can’t Make It to the Race?
No sweat.
“Notably, this is the only race course that is a scenic toll road and premier tourist destination every other day of the year – except race day,” Haight said. “Anyone can pay the fee and drive up the same road that professional competitors take on every summer. You can’t do that at Indianapolis or Daytona!”
In tribute to the 100th running in 2022, Hill Climb supporters are gathering signatures for a special license plate which would be available to any vehicle owner in Colorado. To submit an application to the state for approval, 3,000 signatures are needed. If you are a Colorado resident, sign the support petition here: https://form.jotform.com/210876594782167.
Website: https://ppihc.org/
Facebook + Instagram: @pikespeakhillclimb
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Tommy Boileau: https://dusolddesigns.com/
Facebook + Instagram: @tommyboileau34