FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, February 9, 2023
Colorado Springs, CO – As The Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, brought to you by Gran Turismo, prepares for a second century of racing on Pikes Peak – America’s Mountain, drivers from around the globe are getting ready to showcase their talent on June 25.
The King of the Mountain award is reserved for the overall fastest driver each year. Robin Shute, now residing in Long Beach, California but representing his homeland, the United Kingdom, has claimed the prestigious title three times in his five-year racing career on Pikes Peak.
Shute, also a talented engineer, has challenged the mountain in two divisions and two vehicles – a 2016 Ford Faraday Future FF91 in the Exhibition division in 2017; and a 2018 Wolf TSC in various iterations in the Unlimited division since 2018.
His success in the Unlimited division was topped by his fastest time to date – 09:12.476 in 2019. Unable to travel in 2020 due to the pandemic, Shute was eager to return to Pikes Peak in the Italian-produced, turbocharged Wolf and overcame unpredictable and challenging weather on the course in 2021 and 2022 to add two more King of the Mountains crowns to his resume. Asked about his favorite part of the course, Shute shared, “I love the series of turns at Boulder Park. When you get them hooked up it’s a great feeling!”
In 2022 Shute was presented with the prestigious Segrave Trophy by the Royal Automobile Club for being the first and only British winner of the Race to the Clouds. The Segrave Trophy is awarded to the British national who demonstrates “Outstanding Skill, Courage and Initiative on Land, Water and in the Air”. Shute is now enshrined with auto racing giants Sterling Moss, Bruce McLaren and Lewis Hamilton to name a few.
Chosen by British firm Venture Engineering to pilot their entry, Shute will compete in the Time Attack 1 division in 2023 in the 2023 Aston Martin AMR GT3. Based on the highly-successful Vantage GT3 with a 4.0-liter, turbocharged V8, an upgraded aero package, reduced weight and bespoke gearing, this will be the first Aston Martin ever to compete in the renowned Pikes Peak International Hill Climb.
Photo Credits: Robin Shute Racing, PPIHC Archives; Louis Yio – Larry Chen Photo; Aston Martin Racing
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
www.ppihc.org
