FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, May 18, 2023
BEHIND THE WHEEL
DAN NOVEMBRE PROVES THERE IS A WOLF IN COLORADO
WOLF GB08S TC SPECIAL ENTERED IN 2023 RACE TO THE CLOUDS
Photo: Larry Chen
Colorado Springs, CO – The Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, brought to you by Gran Turismo, is moving into a new century of racing on Pikes Peak – America’s Mountain. In June, a field of 70 competitors will be on the grid to challenge the 12.42 mile course. Dan November of Colorado Springs will be among them when he returns for his 15th attempt at the 14,115′ summit behind the wheel of his 2013 Wolf GB08S TC Special to compete in the Unlimited division.
While legislation surrounding wild wolves in Colorado recently made headlines, Novembre’s Wolf is a different breed altogether as he explains, “For the 101st running, I am returning with my 2013 Wolf GB08S Unlimited Prototype. We’ve been able to make a few improvements over the winter with new gear ratios optimized for the tight switchbacks on Pikes Peak, several aero changes that will increase downforce and car stability, plus we shaved off almost 100 pounds from the car to make it light and fast. We hope to see even faster speeds than last year and will be gunning for a low 9-minute run with the potential to set a new record for a naturally aspirated gas-powered car.”
Dan Novembre will join Robin Shute, three-time King of the Mountain, as they unleash their Wolf “beasts” in this year’s Race to the Clouds.
In 2016 Novembre switched to a new open wheeler better suited for the asphalt surface on the mountain. He laid down his best time in 2020 with a sub-10 minute run of 09:50.329. He has had four podium finishes, and was a member of the Fast 15 qualifiers in 2021 and 2022.
Over the course of his 14-year career, he has never failed to cross the finish line. Three times he was forced to run a weather-shortened course.
Novembre races in Colorado Hill Climb events throughout Colorado, has raced at the Clifton Hill Climb in Arizona, and won the Mt. Washington Open Class in 2017, setting a rear wheel drive record.
Photo by Larry Chen Photo – Louis Yio
Get to Know Dan Novembre:
Favorite Section of the Course – “My absolute favorite is Blue Sky through 11 Mile Water Station. There is a double apex left turn that has a blind entry and if you hit it just right, you fly through like a carousel at maximum G’s!”
When You’re Not Racing – “I work as a Program Manager at L3Harris, a defense contractor. My degree is in Mechanical Engineering and I work on projects that defend our nation from missile launches.”
Why #28 – “I was always a big Formula 1 fan and rooted for Ferrari. For years, they ran #27 and #28. Running the #28 is an homage to where my love of racing started.”
Pikes Peak Heroes – “Paul Dallenbach and Gary Lee Kanawyer”
Fun Facts –
#1: “The first year I raced, 2009, I also ran the Pikes Peak Ascent Half Marathon Race to the summit on Barr Trail. It took over 3 and a half hours! Much slower than the 14:08 time from my rookie year! It was an easy switch to stay racing in a car!”
#2: “I started a tradition several years ago with having fans sign the front wing of my car. If you ask me for an autograph, it is pretty likely I will ask you to return the favor and sign my car! At the end of Fan Fest, the front of the car is usually plastered with all types of signatures!”
#3: “I started nicknaming my car with my wife’s and kid’s initials. It started in 2010 when I had two kids and you can see the growth in my family as I kept adding initials ending up with the KMHRAL special. Yep, five wonderful kids. If you ever see a +1 at the end of the car name, you will know we are expecting!”
ABOUT THE PIKES PEAK INTERNATIONAL HILL CLIMB
First staged in 1916, the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb is the second oldest race in America. The invitation-only event, often referred to as The Race to the Clouds is held annually on the last Sunday of June on Pikes Peak – America’s Mountain, near Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA. The famous 12.42-mile (20 km) course consists of 156 turns, boasts an elevation gain of 4,725 feet (1,440 m), and reaches a finish line at 14,115 feet (4,302 m) above sea level. The PPIHC’s six race divisions feature a wide variety of vehicles – from production-based Time Attack challengers to purpose-built Open Wheel racers and state-of-the-art Unlimited vehicles. The current race record was set in 2018 by Romain Dumas and Volkswagen in the all-electric I.D. R Pikes Peak – 07:57.148.
Contact:
Lisa Haight
Communications Manager / Historian
lisa@ppihc.org
(719) 685-4400
