BEN RYAN IS TWO FOR TWO ON PIKES PEAK IN TIME ATTACK 1
Colorado Springs, CO – As a new year rolls out, The Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, presented by Gran Turismo, is preparing for the 103rd Running of the famed Race to the Clouds. Drivers dreaming of their race to the 14,115′ summit of Pikes Peak – America’s Mountain, are confirming sponsors, preparing applications, and committing to memory the 156 turns.
Ben Ryan calls Colorado home, and made his debut on the mountain in 2023. Back behind the wheel in 2024, he explains his passion for the sport and pays tribute to those who have raced on Pikes Peak since its earliest days.
RECALLING HIS ROOKIE YEAR
Ryan first entered the PPIHC in 2023. He shared, “I initially entered with a BMW E30 that I built for the Hill Climb, but after I wasn’t invited to race, and was on the waitlist, I got an offer to sell the car, and I couldn’t refuse.
About two weeks later I was notified that I had been accepted since another team had dropped out.”
Ryan’s invitation to compete was issued on April 25, 2023, with the month of June just around the corner. He shared, “A friend of mine had a MINI, and we built it into a race car in 46 days.” He entered the 2006 MINI Cooper S in the Time Attack 1 division, and made it to the summit in 13:04.890, for an 8th place division finish.
Ryan recalled his race week and race day experiences, “We suffered a complete motor failure the day before qualifying and had to swap out the motor inside our trailer overnight. The crew finished at 4:30 a.m. just as we headed to the mountain for our run. In qualifying, we realized the spare motor was also hurt, but we kept it together enough to make it to the top.”
Asked what initially sparked his passion for racing, he was quick to reply, “Cars and racing have always been part of my life. Our family was always involved in some form for motorsport racing. I was born and raised here in Colorado, and that means we get the best of both worlds – winter and summer racing. I started racing dirt bikes when I was five years old, then moved to karting. Not much has changed since I was a kid, other than the toys have gotten a lot cooler!”
MINI TO AUDI IN 2024
“Coming back last year with our 2013 Audi TTRS we had high hopes, but during qualifying week we experienced some electrical issues. This restricted the car from performing at its full capability, but it was still a huge improvement over 2023.” Ryan clocked an 11:51.124, shaving more than a minute from his 2023 time, finishing 9th in the Time Attack 1 division.
Ryan continued, “The two cars couldn’t be more different and both presented their own unique characteristics. Looking back on making two successful runs, I never thought it was possible, but thanks to the crew’s hard work and dedication, we did it!
“The memory that stands out the most is crossing that finish line and seeing Derek waving that checkered flag!”
Ben Ryan
Ryan summed up his two years of competition on Pikes Peak, “The experience that I’ve gained, and the memories and relationships I’ve made, will last a lifetime.” He added, “To share a small piece of PPIHC history with all the pioneers and legends who came before me makes it truly an honor to be part of this exclusive family.”
GET TO KNOW BEN RYAN
Instagram: @bencruise918
Fun Facts:
“My hobbies, outside of racing, are snowboarding, snowmobiling, traveling, and motorcycles.”
“My favorite movie is Days of Thunder.”
“I love to cook!”
Occupation: “I manage an automotive restyling shop.”
Three Must-Haves in the Race Trailer: “1) Snacks. 2) Gear for all weather. 3) Wet Wipes. None of these are really race-related, but they each serve an important purpose.”
Racing since PPIHC: “We’ve been out to some time attack events, but with winter here, our focus is now on ice racing.”
Favorite Track: “Road America is, and always will be, one of my favorite tracks. That place gets my heart pumping!”
Best Award: “Being a single dad of four, and getting a ‘father of the year’ award from my kids is, by far, the greatest award I’ve received. They’re the driving force behind my motivation to compete in motorsports. No matter what we accomplish along the way in racing, nothing will be more meaningful than my kids’ father of the year award.”
RIDE WITH BEN RYAN IN 2024 AS HE MAKES HIS SECOND ASSAULT ON PIKES PEAK
Photos by: Larry Chen Photo; Larry Chen, Luis Garcia, Charles Zhou, Jason Zindroski
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Contact:
Lisa Haight
Communications Manager / Historian
lisa@ppihc.org
(719) 685-4400
www.ppihc.org
