Category: Behind the Wheel

“FASTEST PASTOR” DON WICKSTRUM KNOWS WHERE HIS STRENGTH COMES FROM

Colorado Springs, CO – The Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, presented by Gran Turismo, is gearing up for the 104th running in 2026. There were so many exciting stories, new builds, and unexpected outcomes in 2025 which will always be a part of PPIHC history.

For Don Wickstrum, his Pikes Peak success on America’s Mountain is a testament to faith, perseverance in the face of adversity, and continues to inspire countless fans.

His story of battling through cancer, and the strength it required, is well known. He’s respected for his continual effort to compete in this race, despite dramatic crashes during his first two attempts that thwarted his race day dream.

Wickstrum has competed for the past five years, qualifying in the Fast 15 every year — one of only three competitors to achieve this milestone, alongside Codie Vahsholtz and Dan Novembre.

Wickstrum loves the mountain, loves the thrill, and without question, loves the fans.

ENTHUSIASTS FLOCK TO FAN FEST

“Fan Fest was tremendous,” exclaimed Wickstrum. “We had over 3,200 people visit our I Am Second booth. Our team of 40 prayed with 1,200 folks — from moms with babies to people in their late 80s. We talked with people who had traveled to Pikes Peak to come to the race and to meet with us for prayer. People who, like me, were fighting cancer.”

“Of course there are some really tough moments; one was meeting a young person just diagnosed with cancer. Those are hard times to walk through with someone.” Wickstrum continued, “We also encountered a number of people who had come to meet us because they were planning to end their life. We helped them feel seen and heard, and God used us, and this ministry, to get them connected with some help.”

“The number of people who received hope, and sent us emails afterward, was humbling. These were people who didn’t think their life was worth living, or that they were a person worth loving, but we shared the truth with them and they had a revelation.”

GIANNA GLOWS

In 2025, Wickstrum finished 4th in the Unlimited division, and seventh overall behind the wheel of his 2016 Axel Riley Ave LMP3. A great result and a great-looking car. He shared, “I love the neon. We have more than 100 feet of it on the car.”

While the race car looked amazing, and performed well, Wickstrum said, “The hard thing for me, once again this year, was dealing with motor issues. I’ve never been able to push Gianna as hard as I want to without worry. That’s just something I’m looking forward to changing in the future.”

“If you want a predictable race, go to an indoor go-kart track. If you want a race that means a lot, has high stakes, and is for warriors, come on out to Pikes Peak.”

Don Wickstrum

“I really don’t worry about the time,” Wickstrum explained. “I just drive. And I really, literally enjoy the drive! There are millions of people in America, and billions around the world, and I’m one of 70 who gets to drive up the side of one of the most beautiful mountains, in a race car.”

“I don’t get an adrenaline rush. I’ve just never been that guy, I guess. In the car, things just slow down for me. I don’t know how to explain it, but my heart gets filled with gratitude. It’s also a way to understand how to appreciate things in a deeper sense, and appreciate people around you and what they give up to make things happen for you.”

CROWD PLEASER

After a week of race-related events, both on and off the mountain, Wickstrum pointed to one of his race week highlights. “One of the most fun things about this year had to do with the shortened course. I got to interact with the fans.”

“It was so much fun! They were so excited to see us, and it was just so awesome to go talk to them. We got them to do ‘the wave’ and to cheer, and as drivers, we just got a bunch of fun time with them.”

FASTEST PASTOR

Known as the Fastest Pastor, Wickstrum is also the official chaplain of the PPIHC. His presence throughout race week and at Fan Fest, tells only part of the story.

Wickstrum performs a pre-race non-denominational church service on the mountain for drivers, crews, race officials, and fans near the start line, and makes time to offer the invocation right before the race begins. He truly lives out his mission to serve others before self.

He’s also officiated at weddings for competitors, race officials and staff on Pikes Peak.

GIVING BACK

The mission to serve those who make this race possible doesn’t stop on the mountain.

Wickstrum sponsors the annual race officials appreciation event – an evening of food, fun, and indoor karting at Overdrive Raceway. He generously provides giveaways and prizes for the officials attending.

Throughout the year, PPIHC officials, and Pikes Peak – America’s Mountain crews sport swag from the event.

Finding ways to serve and support is part of Wickstrum’s nature. He knows no other way.

SIMPLY GRATEFUL

“I just want to thank the fans, my fellow racers and the crews,” expressed Wickstrum.

“Everybody’s been great. And, I really want to thank my team, Tristan, my son Dakota, Shane, Seth, Ryan, Delbert, and Luke.

“And a huge thanks to my whole family and my wife, Mary. She’s an amazing woman. She’s always believed in me, even in my biggest failures and shortcomings. I get a little emotional just because I don’t know how she does it.”

GET TO KNOW DON WICKSTRUM

Instagram: @fastestpastor

Christmas Fun Facts

Favorite Christmas Movie: “A Christmas Story and The Polar Express“

Favorite Christmas Tradition: “Just being with my family, from setting up the tree after Thanksgiving, to going to church at night on Christmas Eve. One of our traditions is when we get home from church that night, we let the kids open one of their presents.”

Favorite Christmas Treats: “My wife makes these healthy homemade sugar cookies that I absolutely love! I also love cannolis and the BEST are Natale Caputo’s, hands down. He really knows how to make those!”

Favorite Christmas Song: “I have two, O Come, O Come, Emmanuel and Silent Night.“

Would you rather ride with Santa in the sleigh, or hold the reins and drive? “100% holding the reins. It’s the car sickness thing! In fact, I get car sick in my race car if I haven’t raced for a couple of weeks.”

DON WICKSTRUM’S 2025 RACE DAY RUN AND POST-RACE INTERVIEW

BONUS CONTENT! Watch the I Am Second film, Chasing Hope – Don Wickstrum’s Journey to Race for What Matters Most.

Larry Chen Photo – Larry Chen, Luis Garcia, Jason Zindroski,

Other: PPIHC staff; BBC Top Gear/Greg Potts

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

INDYCAR STAR HILDEBRAND ADAPTS ICONIC NASCAR MACHINE TO PIKES PEAK AFTER LAST-MINUTE PROGRAM SWITCH

Colorado Springs, CO – The Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, presented by Gran Turismo, has welcomed thousands of the most talented race drivers in the world over its 103-year history, many who made their name in other racing series prior to taking on the mountain. One thing is for certain among them: none are content to settle for the expected, and all are looking to push themselves to the limit.

Few modern racers embody that spirit more than JR Hildebrand. While he’s best known by many for his INDYCAR career, his name has appeared frequently on the Pikes Peak entry list, often with the intent of adapting something from another form of racing to tackle the mountain. Although his 2025 entry wasn’t the one he initially planned on, it became one of the signature machines of this year’s event.

FROM OPEN WHEEL TO OPEN RULEBOOKS

Hildebrand’s debut on the mountain came in 2018, when he finished second in the inaugural Porsche Pikes Peak Trophy by Yokohama division. He admits that he fell in love with it right away, not only for the “audacity of the challenge,” but also for the sheer diversity of machines on the entry list—a stark contrast not only to the spec chassis of INDYCAR, but also to the Cayman GT4 Clubsport models in his debut.

“Getting there, spending race week with all the other competitors, seeing what everybody else is doing, really seeing the variety of what’s up on the mountain every year—but doing so by being among that community—it really punches you in the face,” he says. “(You) see how wide that void is, the number of different ways that people are showing up with their teams and crews and cars, from multi-million dollar factory prototypes like Volkswagen and Ford to homegrown builds and programs run out of people’s garages.

“I’m coming from the world of mainstream motorsport, where everything has just become increasingly more strict and constrained in terms of what you’re allowed to do. I think the fact that Pikes Peak stands in stark contrast to that is what really made it feel like it mattered to me, when I did it the first time around in 2018.”

Bitten by the bug, Hildebrand made two attempts to adapt a Dallara IR-18 to go from INDYCAR to Pikes Peak, but neither came to fruition. That taught him an important lesson: have a plan B.

“In the background, I’ve been making sure that should these kinds of situations arise, or should I just get to a point where I don’t have anything, major or not, to be sure that I can come do it on my own accord,” he adds. “That’s really where this program ended up this year.”

A HOT SET OF WHEELS

Enter Kyle Petty’s NASCAR Cup Series Pontiac Grand Prix, still carrying its iconic #44 and the Hot Wheels colors that dominated so many toy aisles in the 90s. Hildebrand was originally slated to compete in a 2025 Chevrolet Corvette in the Time Attack 1 division, but had to pivot after that program came apart late in the spring. So, he switched gears to prep one of America’s most famous stock cars for a run up the mountain, prepping it in a single-car garage and even making a motor swap after heading to Colorado.

The team got the car to Colorado Springs before the second test weekend, discovered an issue while testing at Pueblo Motorsports Park, and spent the week before race week getting a new engine shipped and swapped in.

“We hadn’t even got the car up on the mountain yet, and it already generated quite a bit of hype,” he admits. “I have a lot of crazy ideas in my head, and I know that not all of them register to everybody all the time. The things that I think are cool, I’m fully willing to accept that not all of them are cool in a mainstream sense.

“But the thing that’s been interesting is how many race fans and people from NASCAR heard about this. I think a lot of it is on the grounds that this car is so beloved. Going every year (to Sonoma) to watch this car race, next to the 3, this was the car that I was cheering for the most. I definitely have a personal connection to it.”

“On Instagram, a number of the followers I picked up from posting about it, I think are really just diehard NASCAR fans that remember the car in that time period in the sport who were excited to see the car back in action. I think it speaks to the power of the openness that Pikes Peak allows for. It’s really special in terms of the ability to do unusual things.”

Of course, the last-minute switch meant a highly compressed timeline, and that meant keeping things close to original spec. While Hildebrand admits that he could have developed all sorts of areas on the car with six months of prep time, the #44 showed up with Jeff Gordon’s race-winning Sonoma setup in 1998, courtesy of Ray Evernham, as its baseline.

“Frankly, racing the car at Pikes Peak has always been on the back of my mind. It’s been something that I’ve talked about since I got the car two years ago. But it certainly wasn’t the plan for this year up until like May. You’re in a hole now, you have a whole other level of needing for things not to go wrong.

“Pikes Peak is a true professional race. There’s real risk. You’re on track with a bunch of other competitors who are, in essence, relying on you not to have problems.”

JR Hildebrand

STOCK CAR SUPERSTAR

The 156 turns of Pikes Peak may not be quite like the orange track of a Hot Wheels set, but putting a classic NASCAR ride above the clouds made for some of the most popular pictures of race week. While he admitted that he had no idea where he’d stack up in Pikes Peak Open going into the race, Hildebrand’s program only picked up more momentum as race week went on, and not just because fans were flocking to the familiar machine.

In fact, it was only event rules that kept him out of this year’s Fast 15. As the last car off the line in Thursday qualifying, he posted a 4:08.429 on his third run, but because not everyone looking to make a pass got to run, it didn’t count. Still, Hildebrand was thrilled to have the car in great working order in time for Sunday’s race.

“I was just so glad to finally get the car running right, just in time for qualifying,” he said. “We were still figuring a few things out, but it felt more like we’re in fine tuning mode. We had done a rear gearing change overnight, so the first run was a little easy just to break that in. The second run was still on old tires, but I had the gearing strategy dialed in my head, and we threw stickers on it and picked off another four or five seconds on the last run.”

On the shortened course on race day, Hildebrand and his team scored the fourth-fastest time in Pikes Peak Open. PPIHC veterans Jimmy Ford and Loni Unser, and winner Romain Dumas in the Ford Super Mustang Mach E, placed ahead of him. It was a diverse group of machines that echoed Hildebrand’s love for the wide-open takes on motorsport that Pikes Peak rewards each year.

“That’s kind of the beauty of it, the fact that with my 1999 Hot Wheels NASCAR car, I’m in the same group as Romain Dumas in the full prototype Mach E,” Hildebrand says. “It’s really what makes the whole thing cool. I think that that’s a perfect reflection of not only how Pikes Peak is different than most other racing these days, but also where there is room to take advantage of kind of writing your own script.

“I’ve been around motorsport, and I’ve been really fortunate to be a hired gun, for a long time, but you kind of get into having to make sense of the commercial side of it. I think going forward it’s going to be all about writing your own script, telling a different and compelling story. As far as I’m concerned, this is just kind of the tip of the iceberg.”

GET TO KNOW JR HILDEBRAND

Instagram: @jrhildebrand

Fun Facts:

“I have a two year old daughter at home, and that’s soaking up a lot of my time. I’m loving every minute of it!”

“People often bring up that I accepted admission to MIT. But, I always say I don’t really know what it says about how smart I am since I decided to become a professional race car driver instead!”

“I’ve been the human guinea pig more than once for the autonomous vehicle program with Stanford University, where I’m an adjunct lecturer. It’s been kind of fun to see where the artificial competition is now, and how it’s been stacking up over the years. When I first got into the program in 2014 or ’15, I was just there to drive the car that can function autonomously, and rip a lap, as a human, to be the datum lap for them to compare the autonomous system against.”

Biggest challenges: “It’s hard not to think that the biggest challenge is the unknown conditions. Until race day, you don’t really know what the story is going to be when you get up on the mountain.”

Favorite section of the mountain: “The top section, because when I did it (in 2018), I didn’t do any of the testing, and during race week, there was fog. My only decent run in clear conditions on the top was on race day. It feels like the most challenging section.”

Favorite moments during race week: “When you finish your section—and I think it’s most visceral or memorable on the top or the middle section just because of where you’re parked—you’re kind of sitting there waiting, looking out over the mountain at the switchbacks or you’re sitting there above the clouds as the sun is starting to get through.

That’s just one of those spiritual motorsport experiences where you’ve got no qualms with anything. Your phone doesn’t work, your radio doesn’t work. If you’re one of the first people out there, then sometimes you get out of the car, or you’re talking with somebody…It’s an incredible moment to take in.”

Other than Pikes Peak, what are some of your favorite racetracks? “When you race the INDYCAR Series for a long time, there’s no way not to pick out Indianapolis as one of the places. It’s got a lot of the same reasons that I love the mountain—it really, really requires you to distill down why you’re there.

“You have to meet that purpose with a level of commitment that you’re going to feel good about when you walk away, and you set your own expectation of what you’re going to do. They just require a different type of attitude than your average racetrack. It really heightens how much you have to care about it. I think it was part of why I felt like I was pretty good at Pikes Peak right away, because despite how it’s different there’s an attitude that was pretty apples to apples.

“As far as road courses go, Road Atlanta is one of my all time favorites. Sears Point, now Sonoma, is where I grew up racing, and so every time I go back there, I remember why I think it’s so great.”

CLIMB ON BOARD TO EXPERIENCE JR HILDEBRAND’S 2025 RACE DAY RUN

Larry Chen Photo – Larry Chen, Leif Bergerson, Luis Garcia, Louis Yio, Charles Zhao, Jason Zindroski.

Other: Icon Sportswire via Getty Images, JR Hildebrand

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

ROBIN SHUTE ENGINEERS FOUR KING OF THE MOUNTAIN WINS ON PIKES PEAK

Colorado Springs, CO – Four-time King of the Mountain, Robin Shute, was back on Pikes Peak in June in a build that was anything but typical of the cars he’d raced in previous years. For the 103rd Running of The Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, presented by Gran Turismo, Shute arrived on the mountain in a Dusold Designs and Sendy Club collaboration — a 1967 Chevrolet Camaro.

Shute, representing the UK, but currently making his home in Arizona, strapped in behind the wheel of this nearly 3,000 pound monster, ready to put it to the test on America’s Mountain.

NUTS AND BOLTS

Asked how this year’s entry came about, Shute explained, “Over a couple of cold cervezas in a Mexican restaurant a couple of miles away from Circuit of the Americas after Super Lap Battle. We all decided it would be an excellent idea!

“The team this year is a little different. It’s a combination of my team, Sendy Club, and then Mike Dusold and his team who created this Camaro.”

Although the car was originally built in 1967, Dusold Designs has had it for the past 10 years and made it a race car.

Shute explained, “Mike has slowly turned it into this beast of a race car. It’s tube frame underneath. It’s got all these carbon fiber body panels on the outside. The only thing that’s now original Camaro is the chassis plate that he has riveted to the frame. So, it looks pretty close to a Camaro with a lot of crazy aero on it, but underneath it’s all race car. It’s all business.”

Shute continued, “We started in December to really take the car’s performance to the next level. When I stepped in with Mike, we changed the concept of the car a little bit. We were focusing on fundamentals. We wanted to get the chassis set up right, again, fundamentals.”

“What’s fantastic about this car is the drivetrain and the performance engine. It was all there, ready to go.

“It’s a nice 1500 horsepower, turbo charged, machine, and all that horsepower and all those wings were helpful and terrifying in equal measure.”

ORIGINS

Shute’s success is deeply rooted in his engineering prowess, combining driving skill with an innovative approach to car development. All four wins have come in the Unlimited division in his 2018 Wolf TSC with his finish times proving his leading-edge designs. But, his passion for motorsports and engineering originated with his father, also an engineer, who had his own career in hill climb racing in the UK.

Shute’s father was a key developer of the Lotus Elise, and Shute found himself following in those footsteps when he moved to the US to work as an engineer for Tesla.​

In his first attempt at the 14,115′ summit of America’s Mountain in 2017, Shute piloted a 2016 Faraday Future FF91 EV, finishing the race in 11:25.082 in the Exhibition division. That was all it took for him to catch Pikes Peak fever, and make it his mission to return.

And he return he did, in a big way. Shute earned the prestigious King of the Mountain title four times in five years: in 2019, 2021, 2022, and 2023. Of his four wins, one was run over a weather-shortened course, another, during the 100th Running in 2022, was contested in heavy fog. Still, his time that year was just over 10 minutes, 10:09.525. He clocked a sub-10-minute run in 2019, and a jaw dropping sub-9 in 2023 — 08:40.080.

THE COURSE

With a mountain of experience, Shute offered his perspective on the three sections of the course. “The bottom section, I think, is more about bravery, but it’s less of a technical situation. I enjoy the midsection, and that’s probably the most intense. You have to hit all your marks.

“Then, the top is just terrifying because the world changes up there. The air is so thin, and the blowing wind is so cold. It looks like nothing else, like no other racetracks in the world. It has a lot of fast, blind, off camber turns and then just goes into these crazy bumps. It feels like you’ve done a seven-minute race and then for the last minute you’ve got to have a fight with the mountain. It’s beating you up. It’s punishing you, and it hurts. Honestly, it hurts.”

“Aerodynamics up here is key. The air is very thin, but the grip is very low, so we want a lot of downforce on the car. That’s hard to do when there’s not much air around.”

Robin Shute

LEARNING CURVE

Sharing lessons learned, and how he has achieved four wins in the span of his seven year career on Pikes Peak, Shute explains, “There are all these little methods, computer simulations, things like that. But, for me, a lot of it is just intuition. That’s the thing I lean on most now.”

“We laugh and joke that with all these modern tools, it ultimately comes down to my intuition, knowing what will and won’t work on the mountain. I think that just comes from experience and I’m so lucky I have that now.”

“I think the biggest thing I’ve learned about myself is it’s great to take on a big challenge where you might fail. And that’s okay. You should be bold. You’ve got to be brave and you’ve got to commit yourself to it. And that’s the most rewarding thing you can do — something with no guaranteed outcome.”

Shute was certainly up to the challenge in 2025, finishing fifth in the Unlimited division, and 9th overall.

ON THE HORIZON

Shute has set his sights on the overall record, currently 07:57.148. His new build, the SendyCar, has a world of engineering behind it. He shared, “I’ve been working on this for three years, essentially creating the ultimate race car for the mountain.”

The PPIHC Request for Invitation window opened this week, and fans are eager to see Robin Shute back on the mountain in June. Stay tuned as his story rolls out!

GET TO KNOW ROBIN SHUTE

Instagram: @robin.shute

Fun Facts:

“My daily driver is a 2017 Corvette Grand Sport.”

“I’m raising two Bengal kittens, Sunny and Winston. The definition of pure chaos!”

Pikes Peak Heroes: “I think Bobby Unser is probably one of the big heroes for me because he’s won the race so many times. And he also enjoyed the mountain so much. You hear his stories, like getting a key to the gate so he could open it up, and drive up and down, before everyone else.”

“I have lots of heroes here, and it’s kind of odd to rub shoulders with them, like Romain Dumas. What he’s done here is amazing. I think everyone who comes and races here is a hero in my book in a way, because they’ve been bold and daring.”

Advice for a rookie: “Arrive in Colorado Springs as early as you can so you can start acclimatizing to the altitude.”

Three Must-Have Items in the Race Trailer: “Coffee, Croissant, Silly Hats”

Favorite track: “The one I’m currently driving. I just love driving cars at the limit, no matter where it is!”

ON BOARD WITH ROBIN SHUTE

Larry Chen Photo – Larry Chen, Leif Bergerson, Luis Garcia, Charles Zhao, Jason Zindroski.

Other: PPIHC Archives, Robin Shute

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

2025 ROOKIE LANCE FENDERSON PURSUING MOTORSPORTS WITH A PASSION

Colorado Springs, CO – As the season for giving thanks approaches, The Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, presented by Gran Turismo, is thankful for the spirit, determination, and community that make the Race to the Clouds truly unique.

Among a field of 21 rookie drivers this year, Lance Fenderson‘s story of overcoming the toughest odds—including a debilitating injury and a testing session crash—yet remaining filled with gratitude, is nothing short of remarkable. His journey wasn’t just about speed; it was a powerful testament to finding strength and thankfulness in the face of adversity.

SMALL BEGINNINGS

“When I was four years old, we were at my aunt’s wedding in California, and dad dragged me away to go watch the superbikes,” recalled Fenderson. “There was a go-kart track there, so we were watching those and I told dad I’d like to try it. When I was five, he got me a go-kart and the rest is history!”

Expressing thanks, Fenderson shared, “My dad’s been a huge part of every aspect of my racing since I was five years old. He’s been an absolutely critical part of getting me to this mountain.”

ON THE MOUNTAIN

Asked about his first time at the PPIHC, he said, “Tricia Wall from Yokohama invited me to come to Pikes Peak just to experience it in 2024. She’s the biggest reason I’m on this mountain. I’m forever grateful for her and for Yokohama putting their trust in me. And I can’t thank Mobil 1 and Insta360 enough, they’ve been some of my biggest supporters along the way. I’m also working with the High Fives Foundation for adaptive athletes.”

When asked to share his experience of sending Loni Unser off the line with a wave of the green flag in 2024, Fenderson said, “I immediately fell in love with the entire event. I knew, in that moment, that I wanted to be here. I just didn’t know how quickly it was going to happen. So, to be here just one year later is an honor.”

BEHIND THE WHEEL

“The very first run I made up the mountain was in the bottom sector. I was, literally, just looking around, enjoying the scenery. I told my team that and they’re like, ‘Dude! You’ve got to focus on what you’re doing!’,” Fenderson laughed as he recalled the scene. “But, it was just so pretty and it was surreal to be doing what I love — driving a car on a closed course up one of the most beautiful mountains in the world.”

UNEXPECTED SETBACK

Fenderson didn’t have an easy road once he arrived on the mountain, recalling, “It was the second testing weekend during the final session of the day. I went out with new tires and I just pushed a little too hard and crashed.

“But, that’s the mountain. It’s ready at all points to bite down on you as soon as you lose perfect focus.”

He continued, “After the crash, it took an army of people to get us back on the mountain, both physically and mentally. My crew worked super hard to give me the best car. On top of the 20 or 30 people who had a hand in fixing it, there were also a lot of people telling me, ‘Don’t give up!’

“I’m extremely grateful. It’s really nothing short of a work of God that I’m here. Everybody really chipped in and, at the end of the day, it was a huge collaborative effort.”

Fenderson expressed his thanks to his family, his friends, his girlfriend, his crew, his sponsors, and Winslow BMW. They all played significant roles in getting him back on the mountain. He shared, “I had an incredible support system around me. I always have.”

FINISHING STRONG

Fenderson raced his 2020 BMW M2 CS Racing to the finish in the Time Attack 1 division, clocking a 4:54.914 on the wind-shortened course. Asked to share his best race week memory, he quickly replied, “Finally seeing the checkered flag!”

“I wanted to dedicate this race to other people living with paralysis, and show people that you really can go out and do whatever you put your mind to. It might be really, really difficult, and time consuming, but you can do it.”

Lance Fenderson 

BE ALL YOU CAN BE AWARD

At the PPIHC Awards Ceremony, Fenderson, along with fellow first-time drivers Tracy Gaudu and Eli Olivas, received the Be All You Can Be Award from the 10th Special Forces Group.

The annual award is bestowed on those who pushed through, overcame obstacles, and met the challenge that is Pikes Peak.

“Receiving this was the most honoring award I could’ve been given,” expressed Fenderson. “Knowing that my story, and my perseverance to continue living life, while being all I can be, has reached the heart of so many people, feels amazing.”

“I didn’t come here to set any records. I came here to prove that it can be done.”

Lance Fenderson

Fenderson did prove it can be done, bringing even more meaning to the words he lives by, “You don’t need muscles to be strong.”

Look for Lance on the mountain in 2026, as he shared, “I plan to do this hopefully every year, forever.”

GET TO KNOW LANCE FENDERSON

Instagram: @lancefenderson23

Fun Facts:

I have a dog named Enzo.”

“My favorite movie is The Art of Racing in the Rain.”

“My favorite TV show is Shark Tank.”

“My favorite football team is the New England Patriots.”

“And, I love Pillsbury Holiday cookies!”

Any Pikes Peak drivers you admire? “Loni Unser. She texted me after the crash and said, ‘Hey, when I was a rookie, I wrecked a car during a testing weekend. We got it back together and I finished. Not only that, but every single Unser who has run on this mountain has crashed.’ It really encouraged me.”

Daily driver: “A Chevy pickup truck.”

Favorite track: “VIR“

Advice for a rookie: “Pikes Peak is not like road racing, that’s been really new to me. With road racing, you go out and run a hard as you can 30 minutes and you know what the track is going to be like…you know what to expect. But, with Pikes Peak, you really don’t know what to expect at all. Every time up the mountain is going to be slightly different.”

LANCE FENDERSON BEHIND THE WHEEL OF HIS BMW M2

Photos supplied by: Larry Chen Photo: Larry Chen, Luis Garcia, Charles Zhao, Jason Zindroski.

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

PERSISTENCE LEADS TO PAYOFF:

EMELIA HARTFORD PROVES HERSELF AT PIKES PEAK

Colorado Springs, CO – YouTube star, car builder, actress, and professional driver, Emelia Hartford, brought a unique skill set to compete in the 103rd running of The Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, presented by Gran Turismo, in June.

Prior to her Pikes Peak attempt, her racing experience included SCCA, the Pre Grid events with Apex, and test days at the Las Vegas Speedway in the Lamborghini SuperTrofeo. Beyond auto racing, Hartford is an accomplished car builder with several world speed records to her name.

BUILDING CARS AND BREAKING RECORDS

In June 2021, she broke the world record for quickest Corvette C8 in the quarter-mile with a 9.36-second time, and a top speed of 147 mph at the Famoso Raceway in Southern Colorado, during private testing. She held that record for more than a year.

After her success with the Corvette, Hartford built what is currently the fastest new generation Nissan Z in the world, in her garage, in less than 60 days, laying down a 181.85 mph run in 7.75 seconds on the quarter-mile strip.

Describing her two records, Hartford called them defining moments in her motorsports career, “It’s been a long road, literally and figuratively. I started out building cars in my garage with almost no resources, just a lot of curiosity and persistence. Over time, that turned into breaking records with the C8 Corvette, Nissan Z, and building some of the fastest cars in the world.”

“Each project taught me something new about precision, patience, and problem solving under pressure. All of these things translate directly to racing a mountain like Pikes Peak.”

RETURN TO LIFE – A WAY TO GIVE BACK

Hartford’s immersion into the car scene came about soon after she lost her father to suicide when she was 15 years old.

In recent years, she created The Hartford Project. This is her way her way of championing mental health wellness, and includes her Return to Life apparel line and car-care products. All proceeds support mental health awareness.

One of her goals is to build a community through sharing a love of cars and car culture. Hartford is also a board member and supporter of the Alive and Well Foundation.

INSPIRATION

“I’ve always admired Pikes Peak for what it represents. It’s one of the purest forms of racing; just you, your car, and a mountain that doesn’t care about a backstory. It’s one of the few places left where you can prove your driving abilities through focus and discipline,” explained Hartford.

“There’s a camaraderie and respect that’s unique to this event. Everyone is there for the same reason…to challenge themselves and honor the legacy of this mountain. It’s a community unlike any other, and I’m grateful to be part of it.”

Emelia Hartford

“Michèle Mouton’s story was a big part of what drew me in. She was the only woman to win King of the Mountain.

“I actually have a photo hanging in my office of her racing the Audi Quattro up the dirt course. This wasn’t about proving a point, it was about performance. That mindset really resonated with me.”

WOMEN IN MOTORSPORT NORTH AMERICA (WIMNA)

During race week, Hartford shared the stage not only with Mouton, but fellow competitors Tracy Gaudu and Loni Unser, FIA’s Burcu Çetinkaya, and panel moderator, Lyn St. James, at a WIMNA event – Women of the Mountain – Past, Present and Future.

Panelists shared stories about their pathways to Pikes Peak, where their Pikes Peak racing careers led them, and their hopes for more women to compete in the sport they are all so passionate about.

Audience members were particularly engaged in the Q&A session asking the speakers at what age they started racing, favorite racing memories, and advice on how to begin.

REFLECTING ON THE RACE TO THE CLOUDS

Hartford made her racing debut on Pikes Peak in 2025 behind the wheel of 2022 Porsche 718 GT4 RS Clubsport in the Pikes Peak GT4 Trophy by Yokohama division.

“Being my Rookie year, I chose to race in the GT4 naturally aspirated class, with Mobil 1 and Porsche Colorado Springs,” explained Hartford.

“My focus was to have a car I could rely on consistently so I could spend my time learning every inch of those 156 turns.”

Like other GT4 racing, balance of performance (BoP) standards on Pikes Peak adjust weight, power, aerodynamics, and fuel limits to ensure different cars compete equally in the division. The only difference between the classes is that one allows use of a turbocharger.

Although Hartford described the race as demanding, unforgiving and addicting, she proved she was up to the task. Her finish time of 4:47.756, over the shortened course, earned her second place in class. With a difference of just three seconds separating first and third place, the tightly bunched podium finishers showcased the success of the GT4 division and the BoP program.

With an impressive qualifying time of 4:26.451, the fastest in her class, Hartford was poised to capture the win on race day.

When the results were in, veteran PPIHC competitor, Cam Ingram, won the class in a 2024 S650 Mustang GT4, with Hartford second, and PPIHC Hall of Famer, Clint Vahsholtz, sporting the iconic #81 on a 2023 Porsche 718 GT4 RS Clubsport, in third.

“When the opportunity came to race Pikes Peak with Mobil 1, it felt like the natural evolution of everything I’d been working toward,” shared Hartford.

“Testing the GT4 RS at altitude and feeling how every small setup change affected the car reminded me why I fell in love with racing in the first place. It’s not about ego or exposure; it’s about the pursuit of mastery.”

ON THE BIG SCREEN

Hartford has enjoyed success both on and off the race track.

With her role as Leah Vega in 2023’s Gran Turismo, along with her appearance on the Netflix reality show, Fastest Car, she has amassed more than two million subscribers on her YouTube channel.

GET TO KNOW EMELIA HARTFORD

Instagram: @ms.emelia

Fun Facts:

“I love to snowboard.”

“I traveled the US as a competitive rock climber.”

“I love a good bean and cheese burrito. I also enjoy sushi.”

“I love the world of cinema, from making movies, to watching movies, to writing, and acting.”

Significance behind your race number: “I typically race #9, but that was taken this year. So, I chose 0. I felt it best represented a clean slate and the start of something new.”

Pikes Peak hero: “Jeff Zwart is someone I’ve looked up to for a long time, not just as a racer, but as a storyteller. He’s one of those rare people who can translate the soul of motorsport into something cinematic and timeless.

“He helped champion my decision to compete. He’s more than a racing icon, he’s a benchmark for how I want to approach every chapter of my career, with purpose, humility, and an obsessive love for the craft.”

Three things you need in the race trailer: “Snacks, warm clothes, and good people!”

Biggest accomplishment in motorsports: “One of the defining moments was when we finally broke the world record with my twin turbo C8. That car was never supposed to do what it did. It showed me that the limits people set are usually just comfort zones, not actual boundaries.”

Photos by: Larry Chen Photo – Larry Chen, Luis Garcia, Charles Zhao, Jason Zindroski,

Other: Emelia Hartford

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

2025 ROOKIE DRIVER ELI OLIVAS COMPLETES HIS PPIHC MISSION

Colorado Springs, CO – The Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, presented by Gran Turismo, showcased twenty-one first time drivers during the 103rd Running in June.

One newcomer, Eli Olivas, based in Fountain, Colorado, served our country as a former U.S. Army Special Forces Medical Sergeant. His ten years of military service include multiple tours in Iraq. In 2023, Olivas began preparing for a new mission, his assault on America’s Mountain.

With laser-focused attention to detail, Olivas developed his skills at the Radford Racing School. He sought advice from every PPIHC racer he could, reviewed hours of in-car footage, and spent time on the mountain memorizing the course and experiencing the conditions.

As the race approached, Olivas diligently practiced every section, shaking down the car, and getting comfortable behind the wheel. “You feel that inertia and the push back in the seat when you hit the accelerator. It’s a very visceral experience,” he explained.

Limited only by a weather-shortened course on Race Day, Olivas executed a flawless mission. Strapped into his 2024 Superlite Aero GM Supercharged LT5, dubbed ‘The Mourning Star’, bearing the names of more than 150 fallen US Army Special Forces heroes, Olivas launched from the start line, completing his rookie run in 5:02.858.

A LOOK AT THE WEAPON OF CHOICE

The car Olivas chose was built by Race Car Replicas in Fraser, Michigan, famous for their movie cars such as those used in Need for Speed, Ironman 3, and Fast 5.

“This car had to go through a lot of transformation as far as cooling, electrical, and the rear suspension,” shared Olivas. “The motor is a supercharged Chevy LT5 with about 850 hp at the flywheel and 650 at the wheels. The transmission is an advanced six. It’s very rugged, durable and robust; the same ones mainly used in Baja racing.”

He continued, “We used Stop Tech Brakes for the braking system, with six piston up front, and four in the back. The only tires I could fit on the car with those brakes were Hoosiers, because of the clearance. They got the job done and I was pretty impressed with them.

“We did have to add about 400 pounds to the car in the way of extra support bars and beams. That brought the weight up to 2,400 pounds.”

SPECIAL FORCES TRIBUTE

Olivas was inspired to pay tribute to his fellow soldiers and pair that with his first racing endeavor. He was able to personally take his race car to every active-duty Special Forces Group in the US. Remembrance ceremonies were held as the names of his fallen brothers were read, and inscribed, on the car.

“Every Special Forces Group I called welcomed me because I’m one of their own. It was a lot of long road trips. I trailered the car to Florida, North Carolina Washington State, Kentucky, and Ft. Carson, in Colorado Springs.”

Along with Green Beret Racing, Olivas also shines a light on the dark problems many of his brothers in arms face – suicide and substance abuse. Every soldier lost, either in action or after they returned home, matters to Olivas.

“I think the greatest thing about this whole experience is sharing these stories with crews, drivers, and race officials,” related Olivas. “They see all these names and I get to tell them what it’s all about.

“Once people hear the story, they start to realize the sacrifice that’s been given.”

Olivas speaks from experience, and shares his deeply personal story, “These guys, even though they’re gone, reached back from death and pulled me out of the abyss that I was in. Now I can honor them for who they were, the strength of their character, and what they stood for.”

“At the end of the day, they still carry me,” shared Olivas. “They carried me to the finish line to complete the mission. I plan to return in 2026 to finish the journey and get them all the way to the summit.”

“The greatest asset a Green Beret can possibly have, other than just true grit, is resourcefulness in any environment. You learn to deal with the elements and with extreme things of the world. It helped prepare me for Pikes Peak. It all comes down to training and execution.”

Eli Olivas

REUNITED

Recalling his 2025 finish and being welcomed by members of the 10th SFG, Olivas said, “How fantastic was that! Having my fellow Green Berets there was such a tremendous honor for me.

“I got into the car as one man, but when I crossed the line and stepped out, I was a different man. The feeling was bittersweet. Bitter, because I’d worked for years to do this, and the mission had come to an end, but sweet, because I’d come through on my word and rendered honor to our fallen. ”

EFFORT RECOGNIZED

At the PPIHC Awards Ceremony, Olivas, along with Tracy Gaudu and Lance Fenderson, all 2025 rookie drivers, received the Be All You Can Be Award from the 10th Special Forces Group.

The annual award is bestowed on those going above and beyond to get the job done.

CONTINUING TO SERVE

When PPIHC Hall of Famer, Beck Bechtelheimer, passed away in September, and the family asked for a race car from Pikes Peak to display at the service, Olivas was the first to step up, offering to bring his car to honor a man he’d never met.

Bechtelheimer had a decades-long affiliation with Pikes Peak as a radio broadcast announcer and was beloved by many.

Olivas even added Beck’s name to the inside of his car, which is fitting, as Bechtelheimer was not only a big part of the Pikes Peak Hill Climb, but a U.S. Air Force veteran. He shared, “The outside is for Special Forces, but Beck can ride up here with me.”

Family, friends, and race officials filed in past the car as they entered the church. At the end of the service, Olivas fired up the car and followed the pallbearers from the church as they prepared to depart for the cemetery. Another fitting tribute Olivas was proud to offer.

BIGGEST LESSON LEARNED

“It’s just like combat,” explained Olivas. “Hope for the best but ALWAYS plan for the worst! Experiencing the G-force and trusting in God, myself, and the car were the biggest lessons. It was my first race ever, so I pretty much drove by faith and faith alone!”

GET TO KNOW ELI OLIVAS

Fun Facts:

“Favorite meal is a great steak, usually a seasoned New York Strip, prepared by yours truly!”

“My favorite movie is The Martian. Something about having a whole planet to myself seems appealing!”

“After serving in the Army and being all over the world, Germany was a great place to live. I’d have to say America has it going on, as far as vacation spots, but I’d really like to visit Rome one day.”

“All of my crew members are vets; three green berets and two red berets, US Army. They’re all combat veterans.”

Any Pikes Peak drivers you admire? “Romain Dumas seems just as crazy as me. And Codie Vahsholtz runs a pretty darn clean line up there!”

Three things to have in the race trailer: “Tire warmers, floodlights, and a properly working race car. Don’t come to the mountain if your race car isn’t up to the task!”

Advice for a rookie: “You have to be prepared to go all the way. You have to fully commit yourself. Pour yourself into it, you know, psychologically, spiritually, physically, financially. And train for it every single day.”

Best memory from this year’s race: “Doing pushups for Dan Skokan & Randy Ruyle because I went the wrong way on the course!

“I’d just passed one of the safety workers on a blind turn when I spun out. So, I rolled back to them to get off the course before the next car came up.”

WATCH ELI OLIVAS’ FIRST RACE ON PIKES PEAK

Photos supplied by: Larry Chen Photo: Larry Chen, Luis Garcia, Charles Zhao, Jason Zindroski.

Other: Eli Olivas, John Bechtelheimer, PPIHC Staff

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

AIR FORCE VETERAN TRACY GAUDU BRINGS Z06 TO PIKES PEAK

Colorado Springs, CO – Since 1960, when the first woman, Joyce Thompson, entered the Pikes Peak Hill Climb, diehard women competitors have pitted themselves and their machines against America’s Mountain. On Race Day 2025, six women were on the grid, ready to accept the unique challenge that is The Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, presented by Gran Turismo.

First-time competitor, Tracy Gaudu, traveled from Johnson City, Tennessee, with her 2008 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 to race in the Pikes Peak Open division.

Gaudu recalls hearing about Pikes Peak at least a decade ago but didn’t consider running until 2021 when she started to compete in the SCCA Appalachian Hillclimb Series.

She shared, “I knew that I loved to hillclimb after my first one in Pineville, Kentucky, but didn’t take the leap in applying for Pikes Peak until this year. Each year, I’d watch the live feed on YouTube and could imagine my car in Colorado on the start line.”

FOLLOWING IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF A LEGEND

Every driver has someone they can point to who served as an inspiration. For Gaudu, it’s racing icon, Michèle Mouton, “My absolute motorsports, and PPIHC, hero is Michèle Mouton. Her incredible talent and tenacity to win the PPIHC 40 years ago, and become the only woman to win King of the Mountain, was such a remarkable achievement.”

For Gaudu, meeting Mouton and sharing the stage with her during this year’s WIMNA (Women In Motorsports North America), Women of the Mountain – Past, Present and Future panel and reception was a highlight of Race Week.

“It was a once in a life time honor,” Gaudu remarked. “Just to be there with Michèle Mouton, as well as the other drivers, was very humbling especially coming from my grassroots motorsports background.”

Gaudu appeared alongside fellow PPIHC rookie, Emelia Hartford; legacy driver, Loni Unser; 1985 PPIHC King of the Mountain and 2025 PPIHC Hall of Fame Inductee, Michèle Mouton; PPIHC Grand Marshal, Lyn St. James; and Burcu Çetinkaya, rally driver and current president of the FIA Women’s Commission.

THE VISION

“I didn’t start modifying my car for Pikes Peak until after I received confirmation that I was invited. Early February 2025 is when the work started on the car to get it ready for tech inspection. I thought I had a fairly sorted car from a NASA race tech standpoint, but there was much more to do to get it ready for Pikes Peak.”

“No matter how much preparation you do with the sim or watching video, there’s nothing like the first time your car is on course at Pikes Peak.”

Tracy Gaudu

EXPECTATION

For first-time racers, the actual experience is nowhere near their expectation. Asked about what she anticipated, Gaudu related, “I wasn’t sure what to really expect, despite the advice I was given by a few friends who had been there before. The actual experience was truly an incredible one despite the sleep deprivation from the early morning practices.”

“The altitude was pretty serious, but I prepared with having Boost oxygen and ordered onboard oxygen for my runs up the mountain. Keeping myself hydrated was essential, too.

“Everyone was very helpful, encouraging, and genuinely supportive of my rookie attempt this year which I so appreciated.”

PRICELESS CREW SUPPORT

“Typically, I do this all alone,” explained Gaudu. “I’m a one woman race team, Team Tracy Motorsport. I have to admit how nice it was to have a crew of three guys help me during my Pikes Peak run this year. I knew I couldn’t do this one alone!”

A RACE LIKE NO OTHER

“The extreme elevation changes with the course climbing more than 4,725 feet from the start line to the finish is just one example of how the Race to the Clouds is unique,” explained Gaudu.

“The 156 turns, on a narrow mountain highway with sheer drops, and no guardrails in many sections, make it a very dangerous race. The weather and its unpredictability sometimes offering a wide range of conditions on the same run, can make it a difficult situation.

“Daily practice runs are done over one section, so it’s hard to imagine it all put together.”

“The fact that you only get one shot at running the entire course makes Pikes Peak the ultimate test for any driver.”

Tracy Gaudu

BE ALL YOU CAN BE

For the second consecutive year, the 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) not only delivered the checkered flags to the finish line before the race began, but honored drivers who represented the US Army slogan, Be All You Can Be. Tracy, a US Air Force veteran, was one of three drivers honored with this year’s award.

AT THE END OF THE DAY

When race day arrived, Gaudu was ready to meet the challenge as she strapped in behind the wheel of her brilliant Atomic Orange 2008 Corvette C6 Z06. Her time to the finish line at Glen Cove was just under five minutes, 4:58.628 which placed her 14th on the list of 27 Pikes Peak Open division drivers.

GET TO KNOW TRACY GAUDU
Instagram: @teamtracymotorsport

Fun Facts:

“I’m a United States Air Force Veteran and work in vascular surgery and trauma services as a Physician Assistant.”  

“My daily driver is a red 2013 MX-5 power retractable hardtop Club Edition Mazda Miata.”

“I have two Shih-Tzus. Chevy is my 13-year-old female, and Zora is my 6 month old boy. I named him after Zora Duntov!”

Three Must-Have Items in the Race Trailer: “A generator to run lots of lights outside the trailer. Boost Oxygen canisters to take hits off during practice. Tire warmers. This was the first time I’d used them. I didn’t realize tire warmers were going to be so essential or how great they work.”

Advice for a PPIHC Rookie: “Have someone on your crew who’s been there before and knows exactly what’s going on, and where you need to be at all times. This will make your time on the mountain a lot less stressful.

“Second, despite the fatigue of the week and the stress of this race, try to enjoy the moment while you’re there. You will look back on it as one of the greatest experiences of your lifetime!”

Biggest accomplishment in motorsports: “Winning the 2008 National Council of Corvette Clubs National Championship, as well as multiple championships in NASA Southeast Time Trials, and in wheel to wheel racing, are also highlights.”

Favorite track: “It’s a tie! I love Road America and Road Atlanta and it’s hard to choose a favorite between the two!  The length, elevation, and the way each of these tracks flow, as well as the ability to go really fast, make both of these my favorites.”

Favorite Halloween candy: “I like both Brach’s candy corn and the pumpkins that come in the same bag! Hang on to your hat because a sugar rush is imminent!”

WATCH TRACY GAUDU IN HER ATOMIC ORANGE Z06 TAKE ON PIKES PEAK

Photos by: Larry Chen Photo – Larry Chen, Luis Garcia, Charles Zhao, Jason Zindroski

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

BLACHON BRINGS ELECTRIC VW FUN CUP TO PIKES PEAK

Colorado Springs, CO – Long recognized as one of the toughest proving grounds on the planet, Pikes Peak beckons drivers, manufacturers and component makers to its 12.42 mile course. This year’s Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, presented by Gran Turismo, was no exception.

Four electric vehicles, one powered by hydrogen fuel, brought the latest in EV technology to the mountain. Six-time French competitor, Gregoire Blachon, was among them. Based in Nashville, TN, he presented a distinctive vintage look with his eye-catching 2024 VW Fun Cup.

Blachon is best known on Pikes Peak as the diesel fuel record holder, an achievement he earned in 2023 behind the wheel of his 2023 Radical SR Diesel. His time of 10:25.071 eclipsed the former record of 11.24.065 set in 2020 by Scott Birdsall in the fan favorite 1949 Ford F1 ‘Old Smokey.’

ROAD TRIP DISCOVERY

In 2012, Blachon and a friend, on a road trip from Nashville to Yellowstone, stopped in Colorado Springs, and it happened to be Race Week. He recalled, “We were completely amazed, loved the vibe of Pikes Peak, and decided to enter the next year. That’s how it started.”

But, Blachon’s racing roots had been planted during his childhood in France. His father (pictured on the left), a Group B co-driver for acclaimed Renault factory driver, Jean Ragnotti, passed away when Blachon was a child. Left with a book of photos and clippings about his father’s racing career, it was that keepsake that inspired Blachon to pursue his dream to race cars.

Starting at age 14, he began working on mopeds. As soon he could obtain a driver’s license, he purchased his first car. “It was a Peugeot 205 GTI, which is like a really hot version of the little hatchback,” he shared. “I started doing track days and little events here and there.”

FIRST PPIHC

Blachon’s first entry was in 2013 in the Pikes Peak Open division. His 1996 Subaru Impreza Boxeer Diesel climbed to the summit in 14:50.304 for a ninth place division finish.

Blachon returned to America’s Mountain in 2020, this time racing in the Exhibition division in his 2020 Boxeer TDI Bug. His time of 11:25.107 was significantly faster than his clocking in the Impreza seven years before. He finished fourth in the Exhibition division.

In 2021, Blachon again presented a VW Bug, this time a Proto TRI-TDI Diesel. With the race shortened by adverse weather, all competitors would run only to 16 Mile.

Blachon also took part in the 100th Running of the Race to the Clouds in 2022 presenting his 2022 Radical SR Triple Turbo. The fog-shrouded mountain denied any record setting runs during the milestone event, but competitors were able to make their way to the 14,115′ summit.

RECORD RUN

When Blachon returned in 2023, conditions were ripe for setting a fuel type record, and he did just that in his diesel-fueled Radical SR Diesel. It was one of his biggest accomplishments.

“Before the starting flag is dropped, it’s a big moment. My heartbeat is to the max, even though I’m doing nothing. Then, engaging with the road suddenly removes the pressure, and it feels like magic.”

Gregoire Blachon

POWER SWAP

In a departure from his diesel powered entries, Blachon raced an electric Volkswagen Fun Cup in 2025, moving to the Unlimited division. Again, weather shortened the course, but the popular entry powered its way to the finish line, nonetheless, finishing in 5:03.800, and putting on a show for the fans.

Asked about his post-race tradition, Blachon proudly shared, “Nutella crepes. I love to eat one at the finish after the race!

GET TO KNOW GREGOIRE BLACHON
Instagram: @boxeer_

Fun Facts:

“I grew up in the south of France. I’ve always loved mountaineering and camping in the Alps.”

“I live in Nashville on 105 acres of forest with my beautiful wife and three kids.”

“When I’m not wrenching on cars, my job is to make neurological devices to help treat patients with Parkinson’s disease.”

Biggest accomplishment in motorsports: “There are two, our Boxeer/Salty Frog Racing land speed record for a diesel truck at the 2024 WORLD of SPEED at Bonneville – 163.328 mph; and setting the diesel fuel record on Pikes Peak in 2023.

Advice for a PPIHC rookie: “Learn the road really well. Watch many, many videos of all the drivers that you can find. Look at it again and again, until you know it by heart.

“Also, be sure your car is dialed in. You don’t want to get here and have something amazing that’s not dialed in. Then you have to wrench on it and be miserable. You want to be able to focus on learning the track.”

If you could race any car, from any era, up Pikes Peak, what would it be? “My dream would be Michèle Mouton’s Quattro just the way it was when she raced on Pikes Peak – very little aero, on a dirt road and feel that raw horsepower scream up the mountain. That was pure racing.”

BLACHON’S DIESEL-FUELED RECORD RUN

Photos by: Larry Chen Photo – Larry Chen, Luis Garcia, Charles Zhao, Jason Zindroski.

Other: PPIHC Archives, Gregoire Blachon

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

DAMIEN BRADLEY AND TEAM LEGACY ON THE PODIUM AT PIKES PEAK

Colorado Springs, CO – The Race to the Clouds is known around the globe as the pinnacle of hill climb racing. Of the more than 70 competitors who took part in this year’s Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, presented by Gran Turismo, twenty drivers represented thirteen countries outside the US.

Damien Bradley of Purley, Surrey, Great Britain was one of four drivers racing for the United Kingdom. With experience in the British Hillclimb Championship, the British Hillclimb Cup, both the Brighton and the Isle of Wright Speed Trials, as well as the FIA European Hillclimb Masters on his resume, Bradley had the skills to take on Pikes Peak – America’s Mountain.

PPIHC ON THE RADAR

Recalling how he first heard of the Pikes Peak Hill Climb, Bradley shared, “I’ve known about PPIHC since my teenage years, watching repeat ClimbDance clips on the TV. That showed this almost mythical place where Ari Vatanen took a 4wd turbocharged “saloon” car and made it dance on cliff edges all the way to the top of an incredible mountain.

“It was so inspiring, but never did I think I’d get an opportunity to make that climb. Ari has to be my Pikes Peak hero. His car control on the dirt climb was incredible.”

OPPORTUNITY ARISES

Asked what inspired him to enter the PPIHC in 2025, Bradley admits, “It wasn’t so much inspiration, as invitation.” He continued, “After being given the honor of joining motorsport royalty Petter and Oliver Solberg as a Global Ambassador for Alcon Brakes, I was invited to Alcon HQ in Tamworth, UK where Jon Edwards, Group Sales Director for Alcon, asked if I would like to enter. It was quite a bombshell!”

Edwards offered, “We encouraged Damien to go to Pikes Peak because we knew just how good he, the team, and the car could be, if it all played out well. It was a Herculean effort from a small, privateer team and they won the hearts of so many at Pikes Peak this year.”

“We were blown away by the Subaru community in Colorado,” Bradley exclaimed. “We just had so many positive comments online and in person.”

PREPARING THE ENTRY

“I built this 1992 Subaru Legacy Turbo, along with two friends, in a barn in Yorkshire,” explained Bradley. “It has evolved from a £500 ($650) road car, used by a little old lady for her weekly shopping, into what is probably the fastest and best-known Subaru Legacy in the world.

“It has a 2.3 litre engine, is 4wd and turbocharged. We also added a completely new PPIHC-compliant roll cage and Lifeline Zero360 fire extinguishers. We installed a bespoke wiring loom from Relentless Performance which includes a barometric sensor to monitor atmospheric pressure at altitude. There is also a bespoke cooling pack from Allisport, and an awesome new side exit exhaust system from CSK Race Exhausts.”

“Our Subaru Legacy has the tried and tested Subaru 4wd system which gave us a huge advantage in the hairpins on practice days. Sadly, due to the high winds on race day, we didn’t get much opportunity to utilize this advantage.

“We fitted the latest Alcon brakes, and their new pedal box, which gave me significant confidence when braking into some of the more challenging corners.”

Bradley further explained, “Being turbocharged, and relatively low capacity (2.3L), the turbo choice was really important. Our calibration engineer Paul Blamire, together with the experts at AET Turbos and Xona Rotor, decided on a turbo that would give instant response but also deliver enough power at the top of the climb. They absolutely nailed this and the turbocharger we used was perfect!”

“The reality of Pikes Peak was a shock to the entire team. No matter how much you read up on it, no matter how many videos you watch, nothing hits you like that first drive to the summit.”

Damien Bradley

“My mentor was the one and only Robb Holland. Robb is amazing, such a massive help in every aspect of what is needed to successfully complete the climb to the summit. We owe Robb so much for everything he did for us.”

PODIUM FINISH

Bradley and Team Legacy performed well on race day, taking third in the Time Attack 1 division, an impressive effort for a rookie team. Robb Holland topped the division with David Donohue placing third.

Reflecting on his remarkable achievement, Bradley stated, “Standing on the podium and being awarded a Pikes Peak trophy was the recognition I really wanted for the team. It was our first trip to Colorado, our first attempt at the Pikes Peak, and we made it onto the podium. A rookie driver and a car built in a shed, on the podium at the world-famous Pikes Peak, this was the stuff of dreams!”

GET TO KNOW DAMIEN BRADLEY
Instagram: @teamlegacyuk

Fun Facts:

“I was born in County Donegal, Ireland where I lived until I was six years old. We moved to South London where we have lived since; however, Ireland will always be my true home.”

“I work in construction with my three brothers and my father.”

“I’m a keen runner and would love to run up Pikes Peak one day.”

“I have 2 cats, Ed Sheeran and Pepper Potts.”

Biggest challenge: “The biggest challenge of Pikes Peak 2025 was holding back the tears when I returned to the paddock after the timed run. Each member of the team was amazing; they gave up their time and traveled across the Atlantic Ocean to help me achieve a dream of climbing Pikes Peak in my Subaru Legacy. To have my family and friends there was incredible.”

Biggest accomplishments in motorsports: “Third place in TA1 at Pikes Peak in 2025, along with second place in Category 3 at the FIA European Hillclimb Masters event in Portugal back in 2021, and winning C3 in the British Hillclimb Championship three times. Plus, being the fastest ever closed-car to climb the world’s oldest running motorsport venue Shelsley Walsh.”

Three things you must have in the race trailer: “Sweets (candy) I’ve a very sweet tooth; water/liquids as Robb Holland my mentor demanded that I stay hydrated; plus, my best buddy, Steven Darley. Steven has been there every step of the way. He helped me build the Legacy and taught me how to stay calm and be the best I can be behind the wheel. I couldn’t do any of this without him.”

What makes Pikes Peak different from racing anywhere else?“Pikes Peak is unlike any other hillclimb on the planet due to the altitude. The turns, the road surface, and the dangers I’ve experienced on hillclimbs across the UK and Europe – but not all in one place! Race week is absolutely bonkers, the last time I felt this exhausted was when I was training for an Ironman Triathlon.”

Favorite Track: “Other than Pikes Peak, Harewood Hill in Yorkshire, UK is very special to me as I have so many great memories there. Like many UK hillclimbs, Harewood is short by comparison to the rest of the world, but it is very technical and incredibly rewarding when you get it right.”

WATCH DAMIEN BRADLEY IN FIRST PPIHC BEHIND THE WHEEL OF SUBARU LEGACY

Photos by: Larry Chen Photo – Larry Chen, Luis Garcia, Payton Smith, Louis Yio, Charles Zhao, Jason Zindroski and PPIHC Archives.

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

TOM TANG MARKS TWO FOR TWO IN FAST 15 AT 2025 PPIHC

Colorado Springs, CO – The Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, presented by Gran Turismo offers drivers and fans a unique opportunity every year, the chance to witness the sunrise on the mountain as racers from around the world prepare to challenge the 12.42 mile course.

For California-based, Tom Tang, his second time on Pikes Peak brought changes to the car, but just as much passion as his rookie run in 2024.

ASPIRATIONS

When the road to the summit of America’s Mountain was fully paved in 2012, Tang, with his road racing background, began planning his assault on the famed peak. “Seeing Sébastien Loeb race up the mountain in the factory-backed Peugeot 208 built for Pikes Peak was epic,” he shared.

In 2024, Tang presented his 2002 BMW M3 at Tech Inspection as part of the Unlimited division. At the end of race week, he was listed among the Fast 15qualifiers.

His race day clocking of 10:31.372 placed him seventh in his division, adding a solid Pikes Peak finish to his list of racing accomplishments, including Global Time Attack and 25 Hours of Thunderhill.

ONE YEAR LATER

“The E46 BMW M3 we ran this year had a new long block engine that made more horsepower, along with new prototype slicks from Toyo that were made with a compound specific for Pikes Peak,” shared Tang. “We also added a lot of aero for a bit more downforce.”

“This year, the team and I felt a lot more prepared. We had a much better idea of what to expect, what we needed to do or bring, so our daily setup on the mountain felt a lot more efficient and streamlined,” Tang related. “This led to more practice/qualifying runs during every session leading up to race day.”

Tang’s list of race car enhancements for 2025 also included a switch to ethanol from gasoline, as well as the addition of nitrous.

“There’s no such thing as being overprepared. Study the course. Watch videos. Drive on the simulator. Ask questions. Every little bit helps.”

Tom Tang

WELCOME BACK TO THE FAST 15

It was a repeat performance for Tang when the Fast 15 qualifiers were announced prior to the race. He’d made the list for the second time.

“I was not expecting that at all,” shared Tang, “it was surreal, and the competition this year was way higher. I looked at the times, and I think if I’d run the same qualifying time this year that I did in 2024, I would’ve been well outside of even the top 20. It’s wild to think that the bar continues to be raised by all competitors and teams, and it’s why I love racing – being able to push and challenge myself.”

With Tang behind the wheel of his 2002 BMW E46 M3, he clinched 6th place in the highly competitive Unlimited division, an impressive result in a field of 19 drivers.

REFLECTION

Asked to share a post-race wrap up, thoughtfully, Tang offered, “The mountain decides. Last year, as a rookie I had the privilege to race all the way to the summit. This year, we were all not as lucky with the crazy winds and the shortened course on race day. It was certainly a bummer, especially because, based on our times in all of the sectors during the week, it looked like I was on target to achieve my goal of a sub-10-minute full run. But, that said, I totally understand why it had to happen.”

“We’re a small private team with big dreams, and thanks to our shared passion, dedication and support from great partners, we’ve put together a strong program,” shared Tang. “When I look at my car, I see blood, sweat and tears from me and my friend group, because we’re the ones that made it possible.”

GET TO KNOW TOM TANG
Instagram: @tomchutang

Fun Facts:

“I love beer and pizza, but they don’t love me back.”

“I have a 10-year-old Shiba Inu and Pomeranian mixed doggo named Ramen.”

“I can’t afford other hobbies beyond motorsports.”

“Oh, and I’m terrified of heights.”

Does your car have a name? “Ursula. I name all of my cars, and this one is named after Phoebe’s twin sister in ‘Friends’. While she looks like my other M3, this one is meaner and faster.”

Favorite Section or Corner: “Devils Playground. For me, it’s where the climbing stops being as steep and where the run becomes fast and flowing again.”

Most Challenging Section: “The Ws. It’s tempting to want to push deeper into the braking zones, so I have to constantly remind myself that it’s about getting a good exit instead.”

Other than Pikes Peak, what’s your favorite race course? “Sonoma Raceway. It’s my home track. I love how it flows, it’s so technical and challenging because of the concrete walls everywhere.”

Any good luck charms or superstitions? “Red underwear. Ask any Chinese person. Works like a charm.”

Pikes Peak heroes: “Rod Millen and Monster Tajima, for sure. But also Rhys Millen, Tanner Foust and Dai Yoshihara because I’ve known them for many years from Formula DRIFT.”

Three must-haves in the race trailer: “Good snacks – everyone gets hungry at the mountain, especially with early mornings and cold temperatures. Strong hot coffee – we can’t function without it. And two strong generators to power those tire blankets at/past Glen Cove!”

Biggest accomplishment in motorsports: “For me, it’s been my journey from being on the business end of motorsports, by managing race programs and teams, to actually getting into the car myself as a driver.”

BEHIND THE WHEEL WITH TOM TANG IN NEW AND IMPROVED E46

Photos by: Larry Chen Photo – Larry Chen, Luis Garcia, Payton Smith, Louis Yio, Charles Zhao, Jason Zindroski and PPIHC Archives.

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