FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, August 17, 2023
BEHIND THE WHEEL
BIMMERWORLD’S JAMES CLAY NOTCHES FIFTH YEAR ON PIKES PEAK – AMERICA’S MOUNTAIN
Colorado Springs, CO – The 101st Running of the Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, brought to you by Gran Turismo, is now in the rearview mirror as organizers and competitors prepare for 2024. Five-time PPIHC competitor, James Clay, is no exception. His driving career began on-track in 1997, moving to amateur racing in 1998 with BMW Club, SCCA, NASA, PCA, and One Lap of America events. His professional racing career launched in 2002 when he entered World Challenge, GRAND-AM, IMSA, and FIA sanctioned races.
In 2017, Clay made his first assault on the 14,115′ summit of Pikes Peak – America’s Mountain. It would not be his last. Clay entered the Time Attack 1 division, placing sixth in 11:02.966. Behind the wheel of his 2011 BMW M3, he finished 31st overall of 80 entrants. Clay shared, “My first year on the mountain was in a naturally aspirated BMW M3 as part of an OPTIMA Batteries torture test campaign for a new product launch. That introduction to the mountain started a 5-year build odyssey with our current BMW M3 – a 1,400Hp turbocharged monster built specifically for this event, dubbed the Bergsteiger.”
Name and Number
The German term “Bergsteiger” roughly translated means “climber”, and Clay was ready to continue the climb in 2019, this time in his 95 BMW M3 moving to the Pikes Peak Open division. He completed the run and lowered his finish time to an impressive 10:39.786.
Asked about the significance of his race number, Clay replied, “Our #36 comes from the E36 chassis code of the first race car we built as BimmerWorld back in the late 90s – the same chassis our Bergsteiger was built from.”
Weather Wins
Two years would elapse before Clay reappeared on the mountain, post-pandemic, again in his #36 BMW M3 in the Pikes Peak Open division. Claiming his spot in the inaugural Fast 15 in 2021 put Clay in a good position to start early on race day.
However, all the preparation and planning in the world cannot override Mother Nature. Race organizers were forced to shorten the course due to ice and snow on the road below the summit. Drivers would finish at the 16 Mile marker, four miles below the traditional finish line.
Milestone 100th Running
Undeterred, Clay returned in 2022 for the 100th Running of the Race to the Clouds, again, earning his spot in the Fast 15, and again, being thwarted by adverse weather on the day that mattered. A very cold, foggy, wet course greeted every racer, but despite the conditions, they made their way, albeit more slowly than they would have liked, to the top. While there were no records set in 2022, Clay did secure a spot on the podium, second place in the Pikes Peak Open division.
PPIHC in Three Words
Intense. Challenging. Rewarding. This is how James Clay describes racing on Pikes Peak.
Clay explained, “Race Week can be grueling, but in my fifth year of the event, it’s not really anymore. First, we have an amazing team of people, both from our BimmerWorld group as well as local friends that join the effort – that is huge in making it all like clockwork. But I also realized this year was the first year that I truly enjoyed every aspect of the event and didn’t feel the intense trepidation that the mountain and the speeds we run can create. I am fortunate to be here. The family of racers, teams, and staff at this event is unique, and I loved every minute of the long week – and month!”
After his race day run, Clay shared, “This was the weather and run we have been waiting for, and I’m content that it didn’t come until we had the third year on the car and it was really working well.”
“Every time I get to the top, or finish the race day run, there is always some combination of relief that we made it, excitement from the adrenaline of the run, and disappointment that it’s all over. Every year there is a feeling of wishing I had pushed harder in specific places, but that’s what keeps me coming back.”
A Run Rewarded
When Race Day 2023 presented drivers with clear skies and warm temps, Clay was ready. Once again, he’d captured a Fast 15 qualifying time and was prepared to prove his BMW was a contender. Laying down a sub-10 minute run and a personal best time of 09:20.433, Clay stepped to the podium, claiming third in the 15-entrant Pikes Peak Open division. Third is even more impressive when you’re on the podium with first place finisher, and overall course record holder, Romain Dumas and second place finisher also a PPIHC division winner, Raphael Astier.
What’s Next?
“I had said I wanted a representative run with our Bergsteiger machine before I moved to the next events with it, but I feel like I want to go under 9 minutes after this year,” says Clay. “OPTIMA Batteries has been such an amazing partner at this event and it was never my intent to do it repeatedly, but we have already talked about 2024. This year I recognized the family I am a part of out here, and it would be really hard not to come back and see all my friends in June.”
GET TO KNOW JAMES CLAY
Three Things For Fans To Know:
“I am terrified of heights. My first time on the mountain in a rental car was…interesting.”
“If you have a dog nearby that needs ear scratches, I’m your guy.”
“I work as a driving instructor at the BMW Race School.”
Pikes Peak Heroes: “Rod Millen and Tim Hardy – I remember watching on TV as a kid and seeing the big Rod Millen Toyota winged car.”
Favorite Corner: “The more I run here, the more I like the speed and challenge of Elk Park.”
Most Challenging: “The Ws are a huge challenge. The risk is higher, and the speeds are still extremely high. I always breathe a sigh of relief on race day when I clear that section.”
What racing have you done since the PPIHC? “June was intense with the Pikes Peak test days, race week, and another SRO series race sandwiched between. We had a nice summer break from racing, and I was able to catch up on needed family time and getting to see my girlfriend, as well as a Grid Life time trial event with one of our project cars and some team testing. We’re now starting the second half of our SRO season in Wisconsin!”
Favorite Track: “The Nürburgring”
Photos by: Larry Chen, Charles Zhao, Leif Bergerson, Jason Zindrosky, Luis Garcia, Bimmerworld/James Clay
ABOUT THE PIKES PEAK INTERNATIONAL HILL CLIMB
First staged in 1916, the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb is the second oldest race in America. The invitation-only event, often referred to as The Race to the Clouds is held annually on the last Sunday of June on Pikes Peak – America’s Mountain, near Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA. The famous 12.42-mile (20 km) course consists of 156 turns, boasts an elevation gain of 4,725 feet (1,440 m), and reaches a finish line at 14,115 feet (4,302 m) above sea level. The PPIHC’s six race divisions feature a wide variety of vehicles – from production-based Time Attack challengers to purpose-built Open Wheel racers and state-of-the-art Unlimited vehicles. The current race record was set in 2018 by Romain Dumas and Volkswagen in the all-electric I.D. R Pikes Peak – 07:57.148.
Contact:
Lisa Haight
Communications Manager / Historian
lisa@ppihc.org
(719) 685-4400
www.ppihc.org