VAHSHOLTZ FOCUSED ON 25TH WIN AT PIKES PEAK WITH PORSCHE GT4 ENTRY
Colorado Springs, CO – The Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, presented by Gran Turismo, has announced the final five drivers to compete in this year’s Race to the Clouds. These final five will be competing in the Pikes Peak GT4 Trophy by Yokohama division, among them is a familiar name to fans of the PPIHC, Clint Vahsholtz.
Vahsholtz has undoubtedly checked just about every box any competitor dreams of on Pikes Peak.
He grew up in the shadow of the mountain witnessing his father, Leonard’s winning ways, and eventually competing alongside him.
As a second generation racer from the famed Vahsholtz family, he not only works in the motorsports industry at Vahsholtz Automotive and Vahsholtz Racing, but is a steadfast force to be reckoned with on America’s Mountain.
He’s raced motorcycles up the mountain and won. He’s raced cars up the mountain and won. He’s raced and won on the beloved gravel road, on the partially-paved course, as well as the current asphalt surface.
“Early on, my dad and Jim Ruggles, our engineer, both said, ‘Clint, everybody’s going to make a mistake, so if you make a mistake forget about it, and keep going.’ I took that to heart. I spun out my first year, and still won!”
Clint Vahsholtz
Vahsholtz has collected 24 division wins, the most of any PPIHC competitor; 3 onboard a motorcycle, 5 in the Open Wheel division, and a whopping 16 in the Super Stock Car division behind the wheel of a Ford Mustang.
He set division records on a motorcycle, in a stock car, and in his custom-built open wheel beast.
Vahsholtz also earned Rookie of the Year in 1996, the first year he raced a stock car on the mountain.
But one goal eluded him, the King of the Mountain crown. That is, until 2020 when he set an Open Wheel division record and clocked the fastest time of the day, charging to the 14,115′ summit in 09:35.490.
With that boxed checked, the quiet and humble racer could have been satisfied to bask in the glory and step back. That’s just not the Vahsholtz way.
BRANCHING OUT
Driving a McLaren for Flying Lizard in 2018 and ’19, and then piloting the KTM Reiter X Bow GT4 Evo, Vahsholtz shared his viewpoint of working with teams outside his family-run enterprise. “I had a good experience with Flying Lizard, it was different not having my hands in it,” he recalled.
“The KTM venture was similar. Although the team was less experienced, and despite our DNF in 2023, it was good to be part of that team-building process.”
GT4 ATTRACTION
Asked about the switch in both division and make, Vahsholtz expressed, “I’ve been intrigued by the GT4 division the last couple of years. I like the concept, the BoP (Balance of Performance), and the close competition. I also appreciated that the PPIHC has interest in it, and wants to support it. Plus, I love Yokohama as a company as they’ve been very supportive in the past.”
Vahsholtz has entered the Rotek Racing-owned 2023 Porsche 718 GT4 RS Clubsport that Robb Holland raced in 2024. Holland’s time was 10:56.880.
“Robb is a high-end professional, with a pro motorsports team,” explained Vahsholtz. “He’s a gentleman. He’s very knowledgeable about the product I’m driving, and about me. That makes it fun and it means a lot that he feels very comfortable with me. I’ve never raced, or even driven a Porsche, so I’m pretty excited about this!”
ALWAYS GRATEFUL
“Every year you show up on the mountain is a dream come true,” said Vahsholtz. “Along with all the help from Rotek Racing, I have to thank my sponsors. Hella is part of the Robb Holland effort so I’m excited to work with them. Altitude Motorsport and Teller Wi-Fi are partnering with us as well. And one of the things I’m most excited about is a new sponsor, America’s Mountain Festival which is happening in my hometown, Woodland Park, on July 5.”
GET TO KNOW CLINT VAHSHOLTZ
Instagram: @clintvahsholtz
Fun Facts:
“I love everything about motorsports from racing cars, to snowmobiling, to riding motorcycles.”
“Since 2019, I’ve gotten heavily into mountain bike riding. I love getting out on a hideaway trail, deep in the back country, with my labs running along. One of my favorite bikes is a super low e-assist Ducati.”
“One of my winning Mustangs is on display at Penrose Heritage Museum.”
Two Unforgettable Pikes Peak Memories: “The day we lost Carlin Dunne in 2019. I had a win that year, so it was very up and down emotionally. It was such a reminder that anything can happen. My son, Codie, was Carlin’s teammate and I just wanted to see him after the race, to know what was going through his mind, and to hug him.”
“Being inducted into the Pikes Peak Hill Climb Hall of Fame last year was a high point for sure.”
[Note: Clint was inducted by his parents, Barb and Leonard Vahsholtz, both members of the PPIHC Hall of Fame.]
Three things you ‘must-have’ in your race trailer on Pikes Peak? “I try to have everything in the trailer, so my team has the tools to do their job. We have an ‘essentials’ toolbox, but even if you’ve left something behind or a need comes up, you can walk to someone else’s trailer and everyone will let you borrow something. Last thing, I’d say, is abundant water!”
Most Challenging Corner: “In my experience, there’s not one that is lesser or more difficult. And, if you get behind, they all become exponentially more important.”
Favorite Corner: “The first one, the Start Line, that’s my favorite. It’s GO TIME!”
CLINT VAHSHOLTZ 2024 PPIHC HALL OF FAME TRIBUTE
Photos by: Larry Chen Photo – Larry Chen, Leif Bergerson, Luis Garcia, Jason Zindroski. Rupert Berrington, PPHC Archives, Revvolution.com, Joshua Hardin, Payton Smith, El Pomar Foundation, Clint Vahsholtz
ABOUT THE COLORADO SPRINGS AIRPORT
The Colorado Springs Airport provides a travel experience that prioritizes friendliness, safety, and comfort. Enjoy the speed and convenience of a small airport with options on daily nonstop flights and hundreds of connections worldwide. COS is committed to delivering exceptional service and a warm welcome to all our passengers, making your journey memorable from start to finish. For more information visit FlyCOS.com, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn. Your adventure begins here at the Colorado Springs Airport.
Contact:
Lisa Haight
Communications Manager / Historian
lisa@ppihc.org
(719) 685-4400
www.ppihc.org
