ROMANIAN HILL CLIMB CHAMPION JEROME FRANCE TACKLES PIKES PEAK HILL CLIMB
Colorado Springs, CO – Drivers from twelve nations traveled to America’s Mountain in June to challenge the 12.42-mile course in The Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, brought to you by Gran Turismo. Jerome France, who makes his home in Bucharest, Romania, represented his home country in the 2024 Race to the Clouds as part of the RD Limited race team led by PPIHC course recordholder, Romain Dumas.
RACING TOWARD PIKES PEAK
Behind the wheel of a 2011 Porsche 997 GT3 RS, France came to Pikes Peak with not only a well-prepared car, but extensive hill climbing experience.
Recipient of the Under 25s Young Trophy in 2002, France took part in the French Hillclimbing Championship series in the BMW M3 Group N class. He collected three class wins in both 2001 and 2002 in the same series. He recalled receiving the best racing advice at about that same time, “When I was in my first racing season at 20 years old, and full of enthusiasm, a veteran simply told me, ‘If you want to finish first, first you have to finish.’”
France participated in the Romanian Super Rally Hill Climb Championship winning the Formula Renault 2.0L event in 2021, and the Nova Proto NP03 in 2022 and 2023. He was also the Romanian Master Hill Climb champion in the Norma M20FC V8 NME in 2023, and looking for a repeat in 2024.
“It felt like an adolescent getaway with the RD Limited team—all of us in the same house,” France shared. “The atmosphere with the team was amazing. So much preparation for 10 minutes of racing! Some people think we’re a bit crazy, but that’s the charm of life and passion. I’m very grateful to everyone I shared this adventure with for making it magical!”
Arriving in Colorado just one week prior to Race Day, France had full confidence in the #37 Porsche prepared by Dumas’ team. Despite limited practice time, especially on the upper section, France laid down an impressive rookie time – 10:44.501. The result put France on the podium in third place, behind veteran racers David Donohue and Kathryn Mead, in the Time Attack 1 division.
Reflecting on his rookie run on the mountain, France shared, “When I was a child, my father was a hill climb racer in France, and he received a VHS copy of the film Climb Dance featuring Ari Vatanen and Peugeot. I think I watched that video over 100 times! ” France continued, “This experience was fantastic for me. It was a childhood dream to participate.”
“I enjoyed the climb and making a clean run. The last section, however, was a new experience for me, and I didn’t have reference points, since I could only drive up once during the week under special conditions. I was thrilled to be on the podium and to bring this memory home. I loved the camaraderie and the constant kindness around the event. It’s a race that demands a lot of humility, which suits me well.”
THE NEXT CHALLENGE
After his third place finish on Pikes Peak, France returned home to finish his racing season and focus on what’s next, sharing, “I’m participating in the Masters Hill Climb Championship in Romania, where I’m leading before the final race on October 11-13.”
GET TO KNOW JEROME FRANCE
Fun Facts:
“My 11-year-old son is a motocross rider, and I’m a nervous wreck on the sidelines—I never thought it could be so terrifying to watch!”
“I love snowboarding and have been on several expeditions with helicopter drops on the Kamchatka volcanoes.”
“I am an entrepreneur with several companies in Europe.”
Pikes Peak Hero: “Ari Vatanen, just like in the video I watched!”
Favorite Corner: “Between Glen Cove and Devil’s Playground—it’s the most unique part of the race for me. It’s the section where you need to switch your brain to a different mode.”
What surprised you most about Race Week? “What surprised me the most was the road’s terrain in the final section. It’s hard to imagine from a distance just how significant those undulations are.”
What are your top three picks for visitors to do or see in Romania?
“You must absolutely drive the Transalpina and the Transfăgărășan, two beautiful roads. Top Gear called the Transfăgărășan the best road in the world—it would be the perfect setting for launching a Pikes Peak series in Europe, and I’m ready to take charge of it!”
“For sightseeing, Maramureș region is stunning with many monasteries to visit, the Danube Delta is a unique ecosystem to explore, and of course, the Carpathian Mountains with Dracula’s castle.”
“The UNTOLD music festival – one of the best in the world!”
Jerome France in 2024 Post-Race Interview
Photos by: Larry Chen Photo; Larry Chen, Luis Garcia, Charles Zhou; Emerging-Europe.com – Craig Turp-Balazs
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Contact:
Lisa Haight
Communications Manager / Historian
lisa@ppihc.org
(719) 685-4400
www.ppihc.org
