TEN YEARS ON THE MOUNTAIN
DAN AWEIDA RETURNS FOR 2025 PIKES PEAK HILL CLIMB
Colorado Springs, CO – The Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, presented by Gran Turismo, has been run on Pikes Peak – America’s Mountain for more than 100 years. Dan Aweida has been a part of almost ten of those. During his nine years on the hill, he has persevered through blown motors, disappointing shortened courses, and starting from scratch after losing his home, shop and race cars in the 2022 Marshall Fire. Looking forward to year number ten this summer, Aweida shows no signs of slowing down.
CELEBRATING A DECADE
Dan Aweida’s first entry, in 2014, was a 2008 Ford Mustang FR500S bearing #117, a number which his son, Trevor, now sports on his own PPIHC racer. Aweida finished third in his inaugural run with a time of 11:28.679 in the Time Attack 2 division.
The following year, Aweida entered a 1998 Audi S3, but due to weather, had to run a shortened course.
In 2016, he was back with high hopes for the S3 in the highly celebrated 100th Anniversary of the iconic race, but a blown motor during practice eliminated his chance to make a race day run.
Aweida didn’t enter again until 2019 when he was back in the Time Attack 1 division in the Ford Mustang. Again, weather cut the race short and he wasn’t able to make the full run to the summit.
“It’s a wonderful experience that you can’t really put into words. You need to be there…smell the exhaust, see the headlights before the sun rises, then feel the cold melt off as the sun comes up.”
Dan Aweida
Aweida’s 2020 run looked a lot different than previous years, with the absence of race fans. Despite the COVID pandemic, the race was run, but only race officials, crew members, a handful of photographers, and nature, would witness it. With a finish time of 11:23.617, the 2020 run in the Mustang was Aweida’s best run yet.
OVERCOMING BUMPS IN THE ROAD
Pikes Peak is known for the way the mountain can change day to day, even hour to hour, due to freezing and thawing. The well-known bumps on the upper section are often a topic of conversation on practice mornings.
But, life can also be bumpy at times. In 2021, the weather was unbelievably cold and stormy on race day, and a difficult decision was made as all drivers were told they wouldn’t finish at the summit, but at the 16 Mile marker. It was only the second time in the history of the event it was announced in advance that the race would be shortened.
As the New Year approached in December, 2021, one of the most devastating wildfires in Colorado history erupted in Boulder County. With the sudden loss of his home, shop and race cars, Aweida wasted no time looking for cars both he and son, Trevor, could enter in the milestone 100th Running in June, 2022. He found, prepped and entered a 2012 Ford BOSS 302S Mustang. Trevor would run a 1984 Audi 4000.
His 2022 run was made in dense fog, cold temps and wet conditions. Aweida was determined to make it to the top. No records were set that year, but just finishing felt like a win.
Aweida has continued to race the Mustang, in 2023 to a disappointing DNF, and to his best result last summer.
PERSONAL RECORD RUN
Aweida clocked his personal record in 2024, an impressive 10:48.870, and a full 35 seconds better than his 2020 time. Asked how he did it, he explained, “I know the road much better now,” adding, “the car I’m running now is also a lot more powerful. It handles much better with the wider tires, and allows for more suspension adjustment than my previous cars.”
Part of a tightknit community of local racers including his son, Trevor and Matus Huska, Aweida elaborated their 2024 race day runs. “Matus ran first and got a 10:49.233. Trevor and I were both impressed and now had to beat it. Trevor ran next clocking a 10:48.402! All of us were hooting and hollering for him in the pits.
“Now I was nervous, because I had to beat them both. I was feeling pretty good going up. I saw a couple places where I could’ve gone faster, but there’s no looking back. Then, just past Devils, all of a sudden I see coolant on the passenger windshield! I panicked a bit and took my foot off the gas for a second, but decided, ‘Pin it! I’m almost there, and if she breaks so be it! I didn’t want a DNF two years in a row.”
“I made it to the top in 10:48.870, splitting Trevor and Matus – 4/10ths on each side! I think if it didn’t overheat I would’ve had more power, and I wouldn’t have lifted at all, so I believe I would’ve been a bit faster.”
LOOKING FORWARD TO NUMBER 10
Dan Aweida and the ‘Flying Horse’ will be back this year in the Pikes Peak Open division. Reflecting on a decade on the mountain, he shared, “It goes by so fast! My approach hasn’t changed that much, but my knowledge of the road has changed. I know it much better, so I guess I can approach it much faster. I can look for places to gain speed by knowing the corners better.”
“I’ve really enjoyed doing this with Trevor, first as my crew chief, then when he began racing. Now we love to do it each year as father and son. It’s really such a fun thing to be able to do together.”
GET TO KNOW DAN AWEIDA
Instagram: @danimal427
Fun Facts:
“I have a couple of favorite books, The Art of Racing in the Rain, which is an amazing story; and Shackleton’s Journey, a true story about the expedition. I’m amazed at the grit of those men!”
“I enjoy skiing, hiking and traveling. My favorite vacation spot is Martha’s Vineyard. My folks have had a place there since the 1940s. As a kid I went there every summer, and now we take our kids every summer. It’s a magical place for us on the beach of the rough Atlantic Ocean.”
Daily Driver: “I have two, a 2007 Audi RS4 and a 2022 Ford F250 Tremor pick up.”
Occupation: “Real estate.”
Most Challenging Corner: “EVO corner. No guardrail. And, we all know what lies beyond…”
Favorite Corner: “‘Pastor’s/Pobst’s Pond’ (Sump). Every time I come through there, I smile a little. It’s fun to push the limit up to the point where you get a little understeer and have to lift a bit, to settle the front end again.”
Three things you must have in the race trailer: “The crew, warm clothing and tools, including lights. It’s cold and dark every morning during race week.”
Advice for a rookie on Pikes Peak: “It’s just you and the mountain, respect her and stay close to her. Too much on the outside of the road can be BAD.”
Favorite Track: “Mid-Ohio. It is so technical with the Keyhole, China Beach and Madness, so you’re always busy, no time to rest.”
If you could race absolutely any car from any era up the mountain, what would it be? “I’ve never thought about this. I only focus on what I have, and how I can go faster with it. But, I’m totally enamored with Ken Block’s Hoonicorn Mustang. A twin turbo all wheel drive BEAST! I can’t imagine.”
DAN AWEIDA MAKES PERSONAL BEST RUN IN 2024 RACE TO THE CLOUDS
Photos by: Larry Chen Photo; Larry Chen, Lief Bergerson, Luis Garcia; Payton Smith, Louis Yio, Jason Zindroski. Scott Payne Photography, Nathan Leach-Proffer, PPIHC Archives.
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
