LEW BOUCHIER BRINGS PORSCHE GT3 TO PIKES PEAK IN SECOND ATTEMPT AT GLORY
Colorado Springs, CO – The Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, presented by Gran Turismo attracts one of the most unique entry lists in racing, from factory-backed and internationally renowned race teams to club racers looking for the thrill of conquering those famous 156 turns in the Race to the Clouds. It can be a humbling experience for even the biggest names, but for the rookies who make the cut, there’s something that draws them back to America’s Mountain.
In this year’s 103rd Running, Lew Bouchier was part of that esteemed entry list for the second time, following his debut two years ago. Armed with a new car, extra experience, and a great appreciation for the mountain, the Austin, Texas native took on the Unlimited division in his Porsche GT3 after running with an Exhibition entry in his rookie year.
RETURNING TO THE MOUNTAIN
“My rookie year, I was returning to the practice line in the upper section, driving down with Jeff Zwart in front of me, David Donohue behind me, and me sandwiched between two of the world’s favorite Porsche drivers in my air-cooled Porsche FABCAR,” Bouchier says of his first time on the mountain in 2023.
“I had a healthy dose of imposter syndrome. I was in awe of the beautiful sight, but ready to be discovered that I didn’t belong and told to leave; instead, to my surprise, I was invited back!”
Bouchier’s first attempt at reaching the summit was a success; he’d cross the finish line in 11:09.611, eighth-fastest of the rookies.
“In 2023, I blindly brought my air-cooled Porsche club race car to PPIHC,” he says. “Talk about deep water, I was in awe over how unprepared I was, and how quick and happy my 911 was! This year I made the switch from air-cooled to my first water-cooled Porsche. I have leapt into the current century!”
NEW RIDE – NEW MOTIVATION
“The car is a 2003 Porsche Cup car with a turbo engine conversion,” Bouchier explains. “This conversion put it either in Pikes Peak Open or Unlimited. My crew loved the Unlimited option, so we chose that to motivate them.”
Better yet, Bouchier received bragging rights among his friends after his successful run this year. The car had passed through the hands of two other drivers before he took it on.
“I fell in love with my car immediately when my friend said he was going to buy it,” he continues. “I told him that the car was too much for him. He bought it anyway, drove it once, and said it’s too much car. He sold it to a friend of mine, whom I have known since the sixth grade, who said it was too fast for him also. I thought, ‘That car is perfect for Pikes Peak!’”
“One of the things I was most looking forward to was seeing my friends on the mountain who know hard this race is!”
Lew Bouchier
PORSCHE POWER
Being behind the wheel of a Porsche on Pikes Peak is a unique honor, and one that Bouchier takes seriously. “I’m humbled to be around the fastest Porsche cars and drivers in history: David Donohue, Kathy Mead, and Jeff Zwart,” he admits. Each has given him a piece of advice that he’s implemented.
“It was Jeff Zwart who told me to tape the bottom of my helmet visor so when the sun is coming up over Kansas, you won’t be blinded by looking down at it. The advice kept me from scaring myself to death – thanks Jeff!
“Kathy Mead said to me ‘It’s hard, you should try it!’ Funny, not funny – thanks Kathy!
“David Donohue reminded me in the rain what a beautiful mountain road PPIHC is – thanks David!”
Bouchier finished the weather-shortened course in 04:23.672, for 8th in the Unlimited division, and an impressive 14th overall.
GET TO KNOW LEW BOUCHIER
Fun Facts:
“The first time I ever drove up Pikes Peak was May, 2023, shortly before we started practicing in June.”
“I bought my first Porsche in 1990 from a friend after riding in it for the very first time. I made him sell it to me on the spot!”
“Preparation for this year’s race consisted of a basic diet of stress, tacos, and sleeplessness.”
Favorite section: “The lower section of the mountain is my favorite, it’s a beautiful place to drive your Porsche in a real road racing environment. As you go up, it just gets faster.”
Advice for a PPIHC rookie: “You’re racing the mountain! When they asked Nigel Mansell ‘How was the course?’ when racing at Road America, he said ‘The back Nine was particularly challenging,’ Making a clever comparison between golf and racing. It’s a similar game; a similar foe, yourself! Pikes Peak puts the two together like I have never seen before, it’s captivating.”
Biggest challenges: “Communication with the crew, my car, and of course, the Mountain.”
Favorite track: “Road America in Elkhart Lake, WI.”
Must-haves on the mountain: “Tire temp, turbo boost, adrenaline, and sometimes sleep!”
by Chris Leone, PPIHC Contributor
Photos by: Larry Chen Photo – Larry Chen, Luis Garcia, Charles Zhao
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Contact:
Lisa Haight
Communications Manager / Historian
lisa@ppihc.org
(719) 685-4400
www.ppihc.org
