DANNY AITKEN MAKES ROOKIE RUN ON PIKES PEAK IN ‘SHAKE AND BAKE’ STYLE
Colorado Springs, CO – Innovative. Versatile. Adaptable. These are three of the most valuable qualities that any driver can bring to The Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, presented by Gran Turismo. Few drivers can boast all three—especially as a Pikes Peak rookie—but few drivers are quite like Danny Aitken.
Born in New Zealand but now living in Pagosa Springs, Colorado, Aitken landed his first PPIHC invitation for 2025 to campaign BROTUS, an LS-swapped 2001 Reynard Champ Car. But just weeks before the race, he did one of the toughest things imaginable: he switched vehicles completely, strapping in behind the wheel of a 1400-horsepower Chevrolet SS once campaigned under #7 by PPIHC legend, Layne Schranz.
PREPARATION AND DEDICATION
Aitken spent several years planning and training for his rookie campaign. He trained extensively behind the wheel of a Ligier F4 in New Mexico at Suika Circuit, owned by former IndyCar driver Jim Guthrie, while working on BROTUS. The Reynard would be outfitted with a 6.2-liter Chevrolet LT2 engine and twin turbochargers, instead of the 2.65-liter, single-turbo V8s from the car’s time in CART.
NEVER GROW UP / NEVER GIVE UP
When BROTUS appeared at the PRI Show in Indianapolis last winter, Aitken had the phrase “NEVER GROW UP” on its rear wing. However, “NEVER GIVE UP” would become a better descriptor for his rookie Pikes Peak campaign.
Unfortunately, it became clear in the weeks leading up to the race that BROTUS wouldn’t quite make it to the start line for 2025.
Fortunately, a high-quality replacement wasn’t far off; he secured the familiar Chevrolet SS, which multi-time PPIHC winner Layne Schranz last campaigned in 2022, to stay on the entry list.
“I like the history of the car. It comes from 50 years of history with the Schranz family. It’s honestly just a privilege to drive it because this is a very visceral, raw car – No traction control, 1400 horsepower, and it’s pure Pikes Peak.”
Danny Aitken
MAKING THE SWITCH
Despite the late change of plans, Aitken made the most of a busy June. He wrapped the car with a Talladega Nights theme, borrowing Ricky Bobby’s “ME” livery; the wrap was designed to draw attention to the PTSD Foundation in honor of Houston Tumlin, who played Walker Bobby in the movie and lost his battle with PTSD in 2021 after serving in the military.
“I set out to do this for me, and the car says ‘ME’ on it, but it’s not about me. It’s about our team, it’s about representing the PTSD Foundation of America, and it’s about knowing that you can go out there and do something bigger than yourself.”
Aitken would also kick off the month with some shakedown runs at Suika Circuit before heading to the mountain for pre-race testing. In those runs, it became clear that his new ride was going to be quite the test for a newcomer to the mountain.
“There’s nothing like this car,” he admits. “This is not essentially a NASCAR, it’s a purpose built 1400 horsepower hillclimb car. There’s nothing like it, nothing can prepare you to drive it.
“As a driver, it is a challenge. And I welcome that because I try to pride myself on being a diverse, kind of all-round athlete. Put me on a motocross bike, put me in a NASCAR, put me in an IndyCar, I’ll adapt or die—those are our options.”
While that horsepower number might make some racers blink, it wasn’t the toughest part of the vehicle switch. After so much time spent learning to drive open-wheel cars, Aitken would need to adapt to a totally different seating position and experience in the stock car.
“I’m used to a very laid back seating position for open wheel stuff that I’ve been in,” Aitken explained. “(With this car, I was) going into a sitting up position, and then getting away from the paddle shift to a sequential. Also, the sequential was set up to upshift pushing forward and to downshift pulling back, which is opposite to what most people run, but that’s how Layne had the car set up.”
THE ROOKIE EXPERIENCE
Race week saw Aitken become one of Pikes Peak’s most popular rookies, between his larger-than-life personality and the instantly recognizable paint scheme. But the Kiwi picked up speed as his first race week progressed, working his way up the Unlimited standings over the course of practice and qualifying.
On race day itself, Aitken shaved multiple seconds off his qualifying time from Tuesday as the course was shortened to end at Glen Cove due to weather. In spite of all the adversity, he earned a 10th place division finish—celebrating his success with a shoey after climbing out of the car.
“I’d like to give a big shout out to my sponsors and the entire team for doing such a great job,” Aitken said after the race. “Also a massive shout out to the Pikes Peak Hill Climb staff and Safety crew. See you next year with the twin turbo Indy car!”
GET TO KNOW DANNY AITKEN
Instagram: @dannyaitkenmotorsport
Fun Facts about Preparing for the Race to the Clouds:
“I’d run with a mask on and try to just stop myself from getting oxygen, and that was already at 7000 feet where I live.”
“I’d drive my dually truck through the mountains in the ice sideways, and turn the traction control off.”
“I also went snowmobiling all winter, then did a couple of motocross races in the month before the race.”
Favorite section: “I like the switchbacks. I do that just for fun, because you’re just on the gas, and then you’re hairpinning, and then you’re on the gas, and it just feels like you’re making sick gains. And that’s what I’m used to, just from driving in the mountains. For 14 years I’ve lived in Colorado, and mountain driving is what I love to do, so the switchbacks are a blast.”
Favorite track: “I like Glen Helen for motocross, that’s a gnarly one. But honestly, my home track, Aztec Motocross, and then Suika Circuit down in Albuquerque—it’s got everything you need as a driver to keep things maintained.”
“But as a spectator? Le Mans, that’s a dream. An LMP car at Le Mans—one day we’ll make it happen.”
Best advice you received: “Build it up. Just like the car, you don’t jump on it and decide you’re going to be Dale Earnhardt. You’ve got to get used to the car. Don’t be afraid to go slower on sections, get to learn the flow, and stick to your own program.”
Must-have items on the mountain for race day? “We have the cougar in the car! So that, and my Crystal Gayle T-shirt.”
DANNY AITKEN IN TALLADEGA NIGHTS TRIBUTE CLAWS HIS WAY UP AMERICA’S MOUNTAIN
By Chris Leone, PPIHC Contributor
Photos by: Larry Chen Photo – Larry Chen, Luis Garcia, Louis Yio, Charles Zhao; OPTIMA Batteries – Eric Luna; Danny Aitken; Joel Yust
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