TOM TANG MAKES DREAM A REALITY IN 2024 PIKES PEAK INT’L HILL CLIMB
Colorado Springs, CO – The 102nd Running of The Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, brought to you by Gran Turismo, will welcome nearly two dozen rookies to the mountain in June. Among these newcomers, traveling to Pikes Peak from eight countries and as many US states, is California’s Tom Tang who has entered his built-for-Pikes Peak 2003 BMW M3 in the Unlimited division.
While Tom Tang will make his first attempt at the 14,115′ summit of Pikes Peak, he also recalled the first time he came to the mountain, “In 2021. I attended the PPIHC as a spectator and guest of Turn-14 Distribution, Toyo Tires, and Evasive Motorsports when they campaigned a Tesla Model 3 with Dai Yoshihara. Before race day, I got to drive a rental car along several sections of the road. It was a great experience, and that’s when I decided I wanted to race to the clouds myself someday.”
Experience and Skill Building
With a motorsports industry career spanning more than 15 years, Tang has held a variety of roles across drifting, time attack, and road-racing. In 2012, he was an integral part of the Hankook Tire Motorsports team’s victory in the 2012 25 Hours of Thunderhill endurance race.
He competed behind the wheel from 2013-2015 in Global Time Attack, capturing numerous wins and podium finishes. His wheel-to-wheel racing in the National Auto Sport Association’s (NASA) Super Touring series began in 2016 where he finished his rookie season in 4th place in the NASA Regional (Northern California) Championship series, and clinched a a top ten season at the NASA National Championships. In 2017, Tang finished 8th at Nationals. From 2018-2019, with a brand-new power-plant, once again, he finished in the top 10, nationally.
In 2020-2021, the team focused on endurance racing and, despite travel complications during the COVID pandemic, captured 2nd overall in the E1-class in the NASA WERC (Western Endurance Racing Championships) with podium finishes in every race they entered, across both seasons.
In 2022, Tom led the team to a 3rd place division finish, behind two factory-backed Hondas, and a 9th place overall position at the 25 Hours of Thunderhill.
By 2023, Tang turned his focus to preparing for the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb.
Building the Dream
“The 2002 E46 BMW M3 that I’m bringing to the mountain this year lived a previous life as an endurance race car,” explained Tang. “I used to compete with it in the NASA Western Endurance Racing Championship series, in four, six and eight hour endurance races against other touring cars and GT cars. In 2022, I entered it in the 25 Hours of Thunderhill. In preparation for PPIHC, we have completely rebuilt the car from the ground up. It now features lightweight carbon fiber bodywork, a high-downforce aero package, a supercharged engine, making 535whp, a sequential gearbox, and 4-way active dampers.”
In a four-part blog series titled Pikes Peak Build, Tang chronicles every aspect of creating and testing his machine to challenge the 156 turns up this 12.42 mile course.
Pursuing the Challenge
Discussing his inspiration for entering in 2024, Tang offered, “It’s about pushing myself farther than I ever thought possible, and becoming a better version of myself.” As he prepares for Pikes Peak, he couldn’t be more excited about the prospect of tackling America’s Mountain. “For me, this is a dream come true,” he explains. “I grew up watching the PPIHC in the 90s, idolizing drivers like Rod Millen in his Toyota Tacoma truck, and later Monster Tajima in his Suzuki Escudo. I have always wanted to do this race myself, but having no loose-surface racing experience meant it remained ‘just a dream’ until the road became fully paved. Ever since then, I got much more serious about planning for my shot at the summit. I’m really excited that in 2024 it is finally going to become a reality.”
GET TO KNOW TOM TANG
Fun Facts:
“I’m actually afraid of heights.”
“I was born in Mainland China but grew up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.”
“My favorite food is sushi. My favorite drink is bourbon.”
Significance of your race number? “I decided to go with #178 because it is the same number my Car Chief, Mike Moreno, uses. It’s my way of honoring him and all the hard work he’s put into the build.”
Any Pikes Peak Heroes? “Rod Millen and Monster Tajima, for sure. But also Rhys Millen, Tanner Foust, and Dai Yoshihara because I know them from many years of Formula DRIFT.”
What is your goal for 2024? “While having fun and finishing are my top priorities, I would like to run a respectable time. My goal is to clock a sub-12 minute run for my rookie year. For a car that weighs 3,050 lbs, with me and fuel in it, making 535whp, I think that’s a reasonable goal. But, I’ll be over the moon if that turns into a sub-11!”
Any good luck charms? “I’m Chinese, so I might end up rocking some red boxers for good luck on race day.”
What’s your occupation? “I’m an executive at May Mobility, an autonomous vehicle technology company backed by Toyota Motor Corporation.”
Photos by: Tom Tang, Eibach, Inc.
ABOUT THE COLORADO SPRINGS AIRPORT
The Colorado Springs Airport provides a travel experience that prioritizes friendliness, safety, and comfort. Enjoy the speed and convenience of a small airport with options on daily nonstop flights and hundreds of connections worldwide. COS is committed to delivering exceptional service and a warm welcome to all our passengers, making your journey memorable from start to finish. For more information visit FlyCOS.com, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn. Your adventure begins here at the Colorado Springs Airport.
Contact:
Lisa Haight
Communications Manager / Historian
lisa@ppihc.org
(719) 685-4400
www.ppihc.org
