CODIE VAHSHOLTZ CONTINUES TO HONOR FAMILY LEGACY ON PIKES PEAK
Colorado Springs, CO – The Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, presented by Gran Turismo, boasts some of the most notable family legacies in motorsports. Along with Mears, Millen and Unser, to name a few, one Colorado family has definitely etched its own name into the record books.
A third-generation racer, Codie Vahsholtz is no stranger to what it takes to achieve glory on the mountain. His father, Clint, and his grandparents, Barb and Leonard, have all been inducted to the Pikes Peak Hill Climb Hall of Fame. Definitely some big shoes to fill.
While forging his own path to success on Pikes Peak, Vahsholtz knows it’s a family effort made up of generations of success, advice, and muscle memory behind the wheel. It’s having a hand in every part of the build, from body panels to brake lines and, for the Vahsholtz family, the power plants built by Leonard, and not just for this race team, but for others competing on America’s Mountain.
In this year’s 103rd Running, Codie Vahsholtz brought, arguably, the best version of the 2013 Ford Open Vahsholtz Special yet to challenge the 12.42 miles on America’s Mountain in the Open Wheel division. But his story started aboard a two-wheeled racing machine.
“My grandfather made me drive up the mountain 100 times before I could ever enter a race, or even talk about it!”
Codie Vahsholtz
LEARN BY DOING
Recalling those learning sessions on the mountain, Vahsholtz shared, “Every single day after work or school or whatever it was, I would buy a pass and drive up the mountain, over, and over, and over, and over until they shut it down and made me leave. I did that for months…and, I did it way more than 100 times! It taught me the road really well. I knew it like the back of my hand.”
UNSTOPPABLE
Vahsholtz first tackled the mountain in 2011 in the 250cc motorcycle division, finishing third aboard his 1996 Kawasaki KX250. In 2012, he achieved the same result on the same bike, but in 2013, notched his first win in the renamed Pikes Peak 250 division with a record time of 11:24.792.
His second win came in 2015 in the Pikes Peak Lightweight class this time on his 2006 KTM SMR where he set a class record of 10:50.421.
By 2018, Codie was squarely in the sights of the factory Ducati team and was invited to race in the Pikes Peak Heavyweight division where he claimed third in 2018 and second in 2019. Tragically, his Ducati teammate, and Pikes Peak champion, Carlin Dunne, was killed in the 2019 race just short of the finish line.
SMOOTH TRANSITION
Although motorcycle competition on America’s Mountain was eliminated shortly thereafter, Vahsholtz felt he had more to achieve on Pikes Peak. Following nine years of racing two wheels, Vahsholtz made his move to a four-wheeled machine.
Asked about the transition in technique, Vahsholtz explained, “I can’t use my body to make the vehicle do what I want it to, like I did on the motorcycle, I have to set the car up to do that. So it’s taught me a lot. I just have to trust what I feel, and what I do, to make it operate and react as I need it to.”
He’s been successful at it since he made the switch. His first year in the car, 2021, he clinched second in the Open Wheel division, and was named Rookie of the Year. By 2023, he was on top of the podium, not only winning the division, but setting a blistering Open Wheel record of 09:19.192, sixteen seconds faster than the previous record set by his father, Clint, in 2020.
HORSEPOWER MEETS DOWNFORCE
On Pikes Peak, the balance between horsepower and downforce, paired with tire grip is a delicate one, with big consequences. Vahsholtz discussed refinements made to the car this year, “We added a lot of underbody aerodynamics to it. We actually rebuilt every single body panel out of a thinner material. The weight reduction is noticeably different.”
“Our aluminum block motor is based off a 351 Windsor and when we put it on the dyno made 80 more hp and 60 more foot pounds of torque, plus it weighs 100 pounds less than what we ran last year.”
ALWAYS CLIMBING
Vahsholtz takes every race in stride, bringing a well-prepared race car and years of experience behind the wheel. He’s seen it all on Pikes Peak, from 2021’s shortened course due to foggy and icy conditions, to this year’s abbreviated run forced by unprecedented winds at the summit; from his only DNF due to a brake line failure, to standing at the top of the podium five times in his PPIHC career.
He’s been a Fast 15 qualifier five times, which means, he’s made the cut every year since the designation began – one of only three drivers to do so – alongside Dan Novembre and Don Wickstrum.
Vahsholtz is sure to return to the mountain bringing a legacy that few others can claim. He’ll also bring his trusted crew of family and longtime friends, and most definitely his good luck charm.
EXCLUSIVE PPIHC BONUS CONTENT – CODIE VAHSHOLTZ
GET TO KNOW CODIE VAHSHOLTZ
Instagram: @vahsholtzracing
Fun Facts:
“I’ve gotten back into trail riding motorcycles, I can’t keep myself away from it! I love to ride all over the state.”
“I won the regional and state Skills USA competition in 2011 in welding. That qualified me for the nationals in Kansas City, Missouri. I remember that was the same year I started racing on Pikes Peak.”
“I love going to Cheesman Reservoir to fish with the kids.”
Favorite corner: “I have two – Blue Sky and Double Cut.”
Favorite meal: “A good pesto pasta. I love Noodles & Co, too.”
Favorite track: “Probably High Plains Raceway, right here in Colorado.”
Any superstitions or good luck charms? “So I have a lucky penny. I keep it in my wallet and it always goes with me. It’s in my wallet whenever I’m not racing. Otherwise, it’s in the pocket of my suit. It’s just something I’ve had forever. I found it in a parking lot in California when I was doing one of my first motorcycle races. It was heads up, I picked it up and put it in my pocket, and it’s been with me ever since.”
Photos by: Larry Chen Photo – Larry Chen, Luis Garcia, Charles Zhao, Leif Bergerson, Jason Zindrosk; Rob Miskowitch
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