KAMIKO BACK ON PIKES PEAK TO COMPETE AFTER 30+ YEARS
by Chris Leone, PPIHC Contributor
Colorado Springs, CO – The Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, presented by Gran Turismo, draws top competitors from across the USA and around the world. Although he’s been a part of the event as a team representative many times since, 2025 marked Chikara Kamiko’s return to racing on the mountain for the first time in more than 30 years.
MAINSTAY ON THE MOUNTAIN
After spending much of the 1980s competing in Japanese national championships as a driver for Suzuki Sport, and later an employee of Bosch, he earned his first opportunity to race PPIHC in 1991 and competed twice as a driver.
He won Rookie of the Year in his first attempt and was accompanied by navigator, and motorsports journalist, Kiharu Hiwatashi.
Since then, he’s been a regular presence on the mountain as a team representative, most recently with Takashi Oi’s entry two years ago. His SAMURAI SPEED team, which he leads as team principal and executive director, regularly competes with electric cars like the Nissan Leaf that Oi drove in 2022.
So what inspired him to step back into the driver’s seat after all these years?
“With the support of my friends from the US and Australia, whom I met on the Pulsar GTI-R fan page on Facebook, I decided to challenge PPIHC again this year.”
Chikara Kamiko
“There are two reasons why I decided to drive this year. The first is to make the rest of my life exciting,” stated the 63-year-old Kamiko. “I decided to take on the PPIHC to get closer to the competition drivers I poured my heart and soul into when I was younger.”
“Second, I felt sad that there were few Japanese drivers competing in the PPIHC anymore. Unfortunately, there is now typically only one Japanese driver. I hope that my run this year will lead to more entries from Japan, as in past years.”
A FAMILIAR MACHINE
Kamiko’s return to the mountain saw him competing in the Pikes Peak Open division with a Nissan Pulsar GTI-R, just like he did many years ago. In 1991, Kamiko and the Pulsar finished fifth in Pikes Peak Open with a time of 13:22.75.
In 1992, despite suffering a rollover in practice, he improved on both his race day time and finish position, placing fourth in the division with a 13:11.58.
Initially, Kamiko had planned to run last year’s event, but delays in customs clearance at the Port of Tacoma prevented him from being able to race until this year. The team had nearly a year to create the entry Kamiko had in mind when he was denied the 2024 run. “We didn’t make any major changes, but I came over to the US in May to make some minor adjustments before Pikes Peak,” he added.
READYING FOR HIS RETURN
Of course, much about Pikes Peak has changed in 30 years, and although Kamiko is no stranger to the mountain, getting back behind the wheel required entirely different preparation from what he’d been doing as a team representative or coordinator.
“I changed my diet and strength training. I spent time learning the course and how to drive the paved road. I had memorized the bottom section, but after that I had to study hard because I was learning by rote. And, as a driver, I was satisfied that I could control the car reasonably well, despite not having competed for over 30 years.”
BIGGEST CHANGES
“Compared to 34 years ago, there were four major differences,” Kamiko shared. “The most significant difference was the road surface.”
“Drifting on flat dirt roads was the original appeal of PPIHC.”
“Second, guardrails and corner signs had been installed. These made it easier to judge the timing for braking and entering tight corners.”
“Third, the upper section was bumpier than I expected.
“And, the fourth difference was the sudden change in weather. I think it used to be more stable.”
A 2025 FINISH
“As expected, the race car for 2025 is not the same individual,” Kamiko explains. “It is a race car built from scratch according to the current PPIHC road surface and rules. However, its heart is truly ‘back to 1991.’ I didn’t expect to be able to drive a race car as I did when I was young, but I did enjoy a great race.”
Despite windy conditions resulting in a shortened course, Kamiko finished what he set out to do, and watched the checkered flags wave as he crossed the line. He completed his third year of competition. He also proudly raced for Japan.
Will 2026 fulfill Kamiko’s dream of seeing more Japanese drivers compete on Pikes Peak? Only time will tell.
GET TO KNOW CHIKARA KAMIKO
Fun Facts:
“Every time we participate in PPIHC, we encounter some troubles, big or small. For example, the tires on our trailer burst on all four wheels while being transported from California.”
“I had three new US team members this year. Morgan Wallace from Texas, Ethan Lemberger from Denver, and Ryan Wolfe from Colorado Springs. Thanks to them, I gained wonderful experience. Apparently, Ryan had watched my previous races as a spectator. He also owns the same Nissan Pulsar GTI-R race car as me — two of them, in fact!”
“I officially imported my race car to the US so, of course, I plan to be racing again next year. I want to keep racing unless something extraordinary happens.
“I want to race until I’m 70, like Jeff Zwart.“
What are the biggest challenges at Pikes Peak? “It is difficult to drive at high speed at high altitude, which is not possible in Japan. And, although it is not limited to PPIHC, the yen is weak and prices are high.”
Favorite Section: “I like the bottom section because it is easy to drive. The middle section is like a trap with a series of similar corners.”
What are your favorite moments during the event? “I think one must be the moment when I reach the goal, but for me, my favorite moment might be the time when I get to greet the official staff for the first time in a year during technical inspection.”
Other than Pikes Peak, what are your favorite race courses? “The course is located in Japan at MARUWA AUTOLAND NASU, a high-speed dirt road course.”
CHANGE TO KAMIKO
Larry Chen Photo – Larry Chen, Luis Garcia, Louis Yio, Charles Zhao, Jason Zindroski.
Other: Rupert Berrington, Spool Solutions – Cody Jenkins, PPIHC Archi
104th Running of the Race to the Clouds
SAVE THE DATE
Sunday, June 21, 2026
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Contact:
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lisa@ppihc.org
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