AIR FORCE VETERAN TRACY GAUDU BRINGS Z06 TO PIKES PEAK
Colorado Springs, CO – Since 1960, when the first woman, Joyce Thompson, entered the Pikes Peak Hill Climb, diehard women competitors have pitted themselves and their machines against America’s Mountain. On Race Day 2025, six women were on the grid, ready to accept the unique challenge that is The Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, presented by Gran Turismo.
First-time competitor, Tracy Gaudu, traveled from Johnson City, Tennessee, with her 2008 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 to race in the Pikes Peak Open division.
Gaudu recalls hearing about Pikes Peak at least a decade ago but didn’t consider running until 2021 when she started to compete in the SCCA Appalachian Hillclimb Series.
She shared, “I knew that I loved to hillclimb after my first one in Pineville, Kentucky, but didn’t take the leap in applying for Pikes Peak until this year. Each year, I’d watch the live feed on YouTube and could imagine my car in Colorado on the start line.”
FOLLOWING IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF A LEGEND
Every driver has someone they can point to who served as an inspiration. For Gaudu, it’s racing icon, Michèle Mouton, “My absolute motorsports, and PPIHC, hero is Michèle Mouton. Her incredible talent and tenacity to win the PPIHC 40 years ago, and become the only woman to win King of the Mountain, was such a remarkable achievement.”
For Gaudu, meeting Mouton and sharing the stage with her during this year’s WIMNA (Women In Motorsports North America), Women of the Mountain – Past, Present and Future panel and reception was a highlight of Race Week.
“It was a once in a life time honor,” Gaudu remarked. “Just to be there with Michèle Mouton, as well as the other drivers, was very humbling especially coming from my grassroots motorsports background.”
Gaudu appeared alongside fellow PPIHC rookie, Emelia Hartford; legacy driver, Loni Unser; 1985 PPIHC King of the Mountain and 2025 PPIHC Hall of Fame Inductee, Michèle Mouton; PPIHC Grand Marshal, Lyn St. James; and Burcu Çetinkaya, rally driver and current president of the FIA Women’s Commission.
THE VISION
“I didn’t start modifying my car for Pikes Peak until after I received confirmation that I was invited. Early February 2025 is when the work started on the car to get it ready for tech inspection. I thought I had a fairly sorted car from a NASA race tech standpoint, but there was much more to do to get it ready for Pikes Peak.”
“No matter how much preparation you do with the sim or watching video, there’s nothing like the first time your car is on course at Pikes Peak.”
Tracy Gaudu
EXPECTATION
For first-time racers, the actual experience is nowhere near their expectation. Asked about what she anticipated, Gaudu related, “I wasn’t sure what to really expect, despite the advice I was given by a few friends who had been there before. The actual experience was truly an incredible one despite the sleep deprivation from the early morning practices.”
“The altitude was pretty serious, but I prepared with having Boost oxygen and ordered onboard oxygen for my runs up the mountain. Keeping myself hydrated was essential, too.
“Everyone was very helpful, encouraging, and genuinely supportive of my rookie attempt this year which I so appreciated.”
PRICELESS CREW SUPPORT
“Typically, I do this all alone,” explained Gaudu. “I’m a one woman race team, Team Tracy Motorsport. I have to admit how nice it was to have a crew of three guys help me during my Pikes Peak run this year. I knew I couldn’t do this one alone!”
A RACE LIKE NO OTHER
“The extreme elevation changes with the course climbing more than 4,725 feet from the start line to the finish is just one example of how the Race to the Clouds is unique,” explained Gaudu.
“The 156 turns, on a narrow mountain highway with sheer drops, and no guardrails in many sections, make it a very dangerous race. The weather and its unpredictability sometimes offering a wide range of conditions on the same run, can make it a difficult situation.
“Daily practice runs are done over one section, so it’s hard to imagine it all put together.”
“The fact that you only get one shot at running the entire course makes Pikes Peak the ultimate test for any driver.”
Tracy Gaudu
BE ALL YOU CAN BE
For the second consecutive year, the 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) not only delivered the checkered flags to the finish line before the race began, but honored drivers who represented the US Army slogan, Be All You Can Be. Tracy, a US Air Force veteran, was one of three drivers honored with this year’s award.
AT THE END OF THE DAY
When race day arrived, Gaudu was ready to meet the challenge as she strapped in behind the wheel of her brilliant Atomic Orange 2008 Corvette C6 Z06. Her time to the finish line at Glen Cove was just under five minutes, 4:58.628 which placed her 14th on the list of 27 Pikes Peak Open division drivers.
GET TO KNOW TRACY GAUDU
Instagram: @teamtracymotorsport
Fun Facts:
“I’m a United States Air Force Veteran and work in vascular surgery and trauma services as a Physician Assistant.”
“My daily driver is a red 2013 MX-5 power retractable hardtop Club Edition Mazda Miata.”
“I have two Shih-Tzus. Chevy is my 13-year-old female, and Zora is my 6 month old boy. I named him after Zora Duntov!”
Three Must-Have Items in the Race Trailer: “A generator to run lots of lights outside the trailer. Boost Oxygen canisters to take hits off during practice. Tire warmers. This was the first time I’d used them. I didn’t realize tire warmers were going to be so essential or how great they work.”
Advice for a PPIHC Rookie: “Have someone on your crew who’s been there before and knows exactly what’s going on, and where you need to be at all times. This will make your time on the mountain a lot less stressful.
“Second, despite the fatigue of the week and the stress of this race, try to enjoy the moment while you’re there. You will look back on it as one of the greatest experiences of your lifetime!”
Biggest accomplishment in motorsports: “Winning the 2008 National Council of Corvette Clubs National Championship, as well as multiple championships in NASA Southeast Time Trials, and in wheel to wheel racing, are also highlights.”
Favorite track: “It’s a tie! I love Road America and Road Atlanta and it’s hard to choose a favorite between the two! The length, elevation, and the way each of these tracks flow, as well as the ability to go really fast, make both of these my favorites.”
Favorite Halloween candy: “I like both Brach’s candy corn and the pumpkins that come in the same bag! Hang on to your hat because a sugar rush is imminent!”
WATCH TRACY GAUDU IN HER ATOMIC ORANGE Z06 TAKE ON PIKES PEAK
Photos by: Larry Chen Photo – Larry Chen, Luis Garcia, Charles Zhao, Jason Zindroski
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Contact:
Lisa Haight
Communications Manager / Historian
lisa@ppihc.org
(719) 685-4400
www.ppihc.org
