COLORADO’S JIMMY FORD ENTERS FORD MUSTANG ON PIKES PEAK
Colorado Springs, CO – A field of 74 drivers has been announced for the 102nd Running of The Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, brought to you by Gran Turismo, and the talent pool from Colorado which includes veteran competitor, Jimmy Ford, runs deep.
Jimmy will make his third run toward the 14,115′ summit on June 23, 2024 in the Pikes Peak Open division behind the wheel of a new entry, a 2017 Ford Mustang.
Jimmy’s first racing endeavors began at the age of seven racing dirt bikes and quarter midgets. He was eventually named Quarter Midget Rookie of the Year and had a Top 3 Grand National finish.
He has raced in Track Attack events at Pikes Peak International Raceway, and traveled to the Leadfoot Festival in New Zealand where he was awarded a Top 10 Best of Show. Since 2006, he has been a regular in the Colorado Hill Climb Association series where he won the Sportsman Class Championship in 2023.
Generations of Grassroots Racing
Jimmy has many ties to the history of this famous race. In his rookie assault on the mountain in 2022, at the milestone 100th Running, Jimmy brought his Ford Bronco with its Hall of Fame heritage. Originally built by John Wells for Leonard Vahsholtz, both men PPIHC Hall of Famers, the Bronco won on Pikes Peak in the mid-1990s. Not only that, Jimmy’s father, Jim, who heads up his crew, also raced on Pikes Peak in the early 1990s. Pair that with support and expertise from veteran PPIHC stock car winner, Joel Newcomer, and the depth of experience on Jimmy’s team is impressive.
Jimmy’s father, Jim Ford, Sr, (pictured) raced on Pikes Peak in 1993 in the Stock Car division, finishing 10th in his #7 Pontiac in 13:33.25. That same year, Leonard Vahsholtz claimed the win in the Stock Car division, setting a division record of 11:47.28 in his 1990 Ford Probe.
Joel Newcomer has known the Ford family for many years. As a PPIHC rookie in 1976, Newcomer embraced the Stock Car division and competed for more than a decade. He notched a division win in 1980 in his Chevy Monza 355, setting a division record of 12:57.33. The #84 race car (pictured in 1994), was John Day’s Buick Skylark which both Newcomer and Ralph Bruning raced in the Stock Car division in the 1990s.
When asked what’s changed on Pikes Peak since he was a competitor, Newcomer thoughtfully replied, “The course itself has changed. Everything is a lot faster now with the course paved. You need better brakes, more aero, and quicker steering than we had back in the day.” He continued, “But, the thing that hasn’t changed is how the people work together. All the drivers, including the top drivers, are willing to help anyone and offer their advice.”
Fords with their Fords
Presenting their Ford Bronco “Bronczilla” for the first time at 2022’s Technical Inspection, Jim Ford (pictured below) maneuvers the vehicle into line with son, Jimmy, behind the wheel for the pre-race examination.
Jimmy later shared, “My rookie year on Pikes Peak started really fast. I leaned on veterans of the mountain to help prepare the team. We entered with hopes of reaching the top on race day, but being from Colorado Springs, I knew anything could happen.”
“Testing sessions and practice week exceeded our expectations with favorable weather except on the crucial day – race day. Visibility was low due to fog at the Start Line, then somewhat clear in the middle section, but sleet was coming down on the top section. Despite the challenging conditions, we lined up confidently.”
“A fellow driver believed my dirt racing background and the loose conditions favored me for a top-three finish in my class. The road conditions were loose, but I enjoyed it, pushing through Halfway Picnic Grounds. As I approached the 11-mile water station, the engine’s pitch changed, and suddenly, everything went silent except for the rear diff turning. I quickly shifted to neutral, realizing the engine had seized. Coasting out of the race line, I knew our chances of reaching the top were gone with a broken connecting rod.”
Returning in 2023, the sun was shining, the crowds were cheering and the new engine, built by Leonard Vahsholtz, was performing well as Jimmy raced toward the summit.
Jimmy crossed the finishing line for the first time in 2023, finishing 4th in the Pikes Peak Open division with a time of 10:07.261 what he described as “an unparalleled feeling.”
As one of the Fast 15 Qualifiers in 2023, Jimmy was recognized at the post-race awards ceremony for his achievement by PPIHC’s event manager, Alex Urban.
Taking it to the Next Level
Veteran racer and car owner, Joel Newcomer, described the 2024 entry and what makes the Mustang well suited to race on Pikes Peak, “This car was built at Mosport in Canada. It’s raced at Sebring and Daytona. It was designed for high speed road racing with aero built into the car that’s adjustable for the rough section at the top of the mountain. We’re looking forward to seeing how the Roush Yates Engine performs, too. It’s already done really well in early test sessions.”
GET TO KNOW JIMMY FORD
Fun Facts:
“The first car I ever bought was a 1979 Pontiac Trans Am T-top. I’ve made a few minor modifications, but mostly it’s stock.”
“I love Mexican food. I can eat it for every meal. And, my favorite restaurant is 511 Rose in Georgetown, Colorado. The ambiance and the owners are amazing, with some of the best food!”
“I have a pair of infamous bright orange socks I wear on Race Day as my lucky socks.”
What do you most look forward to during Race Week? “Throughout the week new challenges and issues arise. Fixing them and putting them behind you or dealing with what you have to and moving forward as a small race team is something you look back on and feel proud of accomplishing.
Fan Fest is another amazing part of the week, where you see tons of people who share the same passion for motorsports as you do, and it’s unmatched. This event brings in family and friends from all over the country to support our team’s efforts.
Overall, race day is my favorite, getting up early in the morning, prepping the car, knowing that anything can happen and change your hopes for the event.”
Best advice from your dad: “Smooth is fast, keep it on the road, and remember, good sportsmanship goes a long way.”
Favorite section? “11-Mile water station is my favorite part of the course. As you approach the first of its three corners, it seems tighter than it is. Holding through the initial turn is crucial for maintaining momentum. There’s a bit of tension, but as it tightens, you carry that momentum through the next two lefts. I enjoy the force and challenge of nailing the apex to seamlessly connect them all, aiming for a smooth corner and a powerful exit.”
Most challenging section? “ The most challenging action on the course is through Boulder Park on up to Cog Cut. It is very bumpy and high speed which takes commitment when the bumps are throwing you all around. Even though it is my least favorite I can certainly say I look forward to clearing this section on race day.”
Advice for a rookie on Pikes Peak? “Connect with seasoned racers who’ve tackled it for years. Their deep familiarity with the terrain allows them to guide you on optimal racing lines and ensure your car’s performance on race day. The mountain community is welcoming, eager to share advice and support newcomers, as they’ve navigated the challenges as rookies themselves.
Additionally, invest time in watching in-car videos, yours and others. This not only exposes you to diverse driving techniques but also helps you understand the car’s feedback throughout the entire journey, enhancing your preparation.”
CHECK OUT JIMMY FORD’S SUMMIT INTERVIEW IN 2023 AS HE RECAPS HIS RUN
Photos by: Larry Chen, Charles Zhao, Luis Garcia, Jason Zindroski, Joel Newcomer, Jimmy Ford, PPIHC Archives
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