BRETT DICKIE TRAVELS FROM DOWN UNDER TO 14,115′ FOR 2025 PPIHC
Colorado Springs, CO – The Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, presented by Gran Turismo, has long been a battleground between grassroots racing efforts and factory-backed powerhouses. The mountain, itself, levels the playing field.
In 2025, Brett Dickie traveled from his hometown in Australia to make the trek to Colorado to, once again, challenge the 14,115′ summit of Pikes Peak. It was his fourth attempt on the mountain, all in the Unlimited division, behind the wheel of his 2001 Honda S2000.
SMALL TEAM, HUGE EFFORT
“This team and car is very unique to be honest,” shared Dickie, “this isn’t a large budget team, just a bunch on good friends ticking things off a list. The car is based at Project Import in Orange, California, so I fly over from Australia two or three times a year to drive it for the team.
“When I arrive in the US, we truck the car to each event as a team, all taking turns driving to share the load.”
Dickie continued, “We have a few sponsors on the car to help the process, but we are still a very largely self-funded program. I’m lucky to have a few sponsors who help me get to America for each event and keep the program alive. We are just surrounded by great people who all chip in to keep the wheels turning, so to speak.”
Next comes the 14 hour flight to the US. Dickie said, “We do our best to get to the mountain as early as possible so I can acclimate to the elevation, but., as we all know, nothing can prepare you for the mountain.”
FRIENDS BECOMES FAMILY
When asked about how the effort came together, Dickie explained, “I met Kiet in Australia in 2018 when he attended World Time Attack. That year I was lucky enough to win my Clubsprint class and Kiet came to congratulate me. He mentioned if I was ever in America to stop by and see his shop, Project Import. Long story short, I arrived in America a few months later as I was attending PRI with some sponsors.
“Since then we’ve become not only friends, but family. In 2021, while building the car for my rookie year, I lived with him and was welcomed into his family. It meant a lot to me – to travel from the other side of the world and have ‘family’ as I miss my own family when I travel each year.”
“I’d love to have my wife and kids with me at Pikes Peak one year, not only to see the race, but to experience the family that is the PPIHC.”
Brett Dickie
BACKSTORY
Dickie completed his fourth race on America’s Mountain this summer. It was the second time he had been limited to a shortened course run. He’s performed consistently in the Unlimited division with three sixth place finishes in four attempts. His best time on the mountain was clocked in 2024, at 10:27.940.
This close-knit team may be small, compared to some of their counterparts, but their passion for the event is colossal. Every year they arrive prepared, ready to elevate their experience, embrace new fans, and expect the unexpected.
2025 MODIFICATIONS
Describing the upgrades and modifications to the S2000 this year, Dickie shared, “This year we arrived with a lot of changes. We had nitrous as well as more aero, better gearing, and paddle shift on the gear box. Unfortunately, we had a few issues with the gear shift, so with the shortened race we never got to show the car’s full speed. Guess we need to keep coming back.”
GET TO KNOW BRETT DICKIE
Instagram @brettdickieracing
Fun Facts:
“When I’m in the America, 75 percent of the time you will see me get into a car on the wrong side. The worst part is sometimes I get my seatbelt on before I realise!”
“My first race car was a 2001 Mygale Formula Ford.”
“In my early years of racing I won the Lawn Mowing award. Sadly, it took me a few years to realise the grip is on the black stuff not the green.”
First car you ever bought? “Typical Australian – a Holden Commodore Wagon.”
Three things you need in the race trailer: “Music, Kangaroo Suit, Ugg boots.”
Best part of PPIHC race week: “Fan Fest would have to be one of my favourite parts of race week. The number of fans who pack downtown is incredible! We brought over 1,500 posters and stickers, and ran out within two hours!”
Traditional post-race celebration: “When we’re back in California, before I fly back to Australia, we always go eat as a team at a place called Mokkoji. It’s become our thing.”
Dream car on the mountain: “I’d love to drive an Australian V8 supercar up the mountain, or an Australian MARC car, but I’d settle for any GT3 car with more power and aero.”
Favorite Track: “I love Phillip Island and have won a lot of races there, but I must say Bathurst is a close second.”
BRETT DICKIE IN S2000 BRINGS AERO UPGRADE
Larry Chen Photo – Larry Chen, Luis Garcia, Payton Smith, Louis Yio, Charles Zhao, Jason Zindroski
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Contact:
Lisa Haight
Communications Manager / Historian
lisa@ppihc.org
(719) 685-4400
www.ppihc.org
