LONI UNSER BRINGS FAMILY LEGACY BACK TO PIKES PEAK IN 2024
Colorado Springs, CO – For nearly a century, a member of the famed Unser family has taken part in the Race to the Clouds. That legacy continues this year when fourth-generation driver, Loni Unser, competes for the third time in The Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, brought to you by Gran Turismo.
A Shift in Perspective
Unser describes an experience on Pikes Peak with her father in 2018, “I was living in Boulder, Colorado and racing Spec Miatas in the Rocky Mountain Region. After a race in Colorado Springs, I asked my dad if he would drive up the mountain with me and show me what Pikes Peak was all about. As we were slowly driving up the mountain as tourists I kept thinking, there is no way I ever want to race Pikes Peak…the people who do this are insane. When we got to the W’s I looked over the side of the mountain and asked my Dad, ‘How are you not terrified the entire way up?’ and he said something that stuck with me, ‘Loni, you just focus on the road.’ I remember sitting there shrugging him off thinking he was absolutely full of it.”
“In retrospect, he was one thousand percent right. It is so true, you really just focus on the road. When we left the mountain that day there would have been no convincing me to race the Hill Climb. However, something kept drawing me back. In 2021 I decided to attend as a spectator. That day changed everything for me. There was something so special about the race that was different from anything else I had ever experienced. From that day forward I became obsessed with the Race to the Clouds.”
Challenge Accepted
In 2022, Loni Unser made her driving debut on Pikes Peak in the Porsche Pikes Peak Trophy by Yokohama division for the 100th Running of the PPIHC. She finished second in the division in a 2019 Porsche GT4 Clubsport with a time of 12:55.774, despite dismal weather conditions.
Representing Team Acura
In 2023, Unser was selected by Acura to drive their Chiaki’s Journey-themed, anime liveried, 2023 Acura Integra in the Exhibition division. She finished in 11:34.709. She shared, “Getting to drive for Acura last year was incredible. Not many people get to say they have driven for a manufacturer so, for me, that was a dream come true really. It was encouraging to see not only the professionalism that went into the program, but also the passion.”
A Racing Dynasty
Jerry Unser, Sr., great-grandfather to Loni Unser, competed in the PPIHC for years, (pictured left in 1933). Father of Jerry Jr., Louis, Bobby and Al Unser, he, along with his two brothers, Louie and Joe, would build a dynasty on America’s Mountain. During the first century of racing on Pikes Peak, an Unser would be crowned King of the Mountain twenty-six times.
In 1956, the Stock Car division was reintroduced. Jerry Unser, Jr won the division in his 1956 Chevy in 16:08.00.
Sadly, the 26-year-old, USAC Stock Car Champion’s promising racing career was cut short after a qualifying session crash at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in May, 1959.
Jerry’s son, Johnny Unser, would grow up surrounded by uncles and cousins who were racing on Pikes Peak. In 1991, he drove an Eagle Talon in the Pikes Peak Production division, finishing second to John Crawford.
Representing the Legacy
Through the generosity of the Unser Racing Museum, an impressive Unser Legacy King of the Mountain Ring was created by Jostens. Loni Unser was on hand to award the first ring to 2023 King of the Mountain, Robin Shute.
Embracing New Challenges
“This year is truly a dream come true with all of the exciting driving I have planned,” explained Unser. “Outside of the Pikes Peak Hill Climb, I am racing full-time in the Porsche Sprint Challenge with KellyMoss in a Porsche GT4 Cayman RS. I am also dipping my toes into the world of off road racing for the first time! I raced the Mint 400 a couple of weeks ago, (pictured driving vehicle on the right) and at the end of the year I will be competing in The Baja 1000 in a Can Am Maverick R. None of this would be possible without incredible partners like Mobil 1, Speedway Motors, TruStage, Hagerty, Kelly Moss, and BBI.”
Horsepower Upgrade for 2024
Earlier this month, the livery was revealed on the #92 BBI built, Mobil 1 sponsored 2015 Porsche GT3 Turbo Cup that Loni Unser will race in the Pikes Peak Open division in June. The high HP machine nicknamed “Lucy” has already proven great success on the mountain, placing 2nd and 5th overall in 2019 and 2021 respectively, both for division wins.
When she settles in behind the wheel for this summer’s 102nd Running, she will certainly be thinking about the best advice she received from her father, Johnny, “Analyze and think about EVERYTHING. He says racing up Pikes Peak is a thinking person’s game. During my last two years on the mountain, I have seen that play out time and time again. I am so thankful I can ask dad and other family members to share their advice on racing up this mountain, because it is so unique, so different than any other race in the world.”
GET TO KNOW LONI UNSER
Fun Facts:
“My dad and I have a tradition of going to Mexican restaurants anytime we are at the race track, and Colorado Springs has some awesome spots!”
“I drive a Mazda 3. It was so cool to see the twin turbo rotary engine Mazda 3 driven by Mad Mike make its run up Pikes Peak last year!”
“I do not take this for granted. I feel so lucky to be in the position I am in, and I will do everything I can to honor myself and my family.”
Do you remember the first time you were asked for your autograph? The first time I was asked for an autograph must’ve been in 2019 when I did my first Mazda MX-5 Cup race at the Circuit of the Americas. Since then, when kids ask for my autograph I always like to sign it, “Dream Big.” Someone did that for me when I was a kid. It always stuck with me and I took it to heart. I hope I can make that same difference in a young person’s life.
Advice for rookie drivers on the mountain? “DO YOUR HOMEWORK. Make sure you leave no stone unturned when you show up on the mountain. You better be able to run the mountain in your head from start to finish. If you can’t do that, you haven’t done enough. It takes a lot of work but, trust me, it will make the biggest difference.”
What advice would you have for women hoping to become involved in motorsports? “Believe in yourself. There are going to be times in your career where it feels like the world is against you. If you can believe in yourself, you can get through anything the sport throws at you. It’s not an easy journey, but if you can persevere, I guarantee you’ll be better and stronger for it.”
If you could race any car up Pikes Peak, what would it be? “I’d love to drive the Audi Sport Quattro SL. My Uncle Bobby won in that car, so to me that would be pretty special.”
LONI UNSER AT THE SUMMIT IN 2023
Photos by: Larry Chen Photo, Leif Bergerson, Louis Yio, Charles Naboy, Luis Garcia, Jason Zindroski; The Mint 400
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