Race News Archives - Pikes Peak International Hill Climb

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, September 7, 2023

BEHIND THE WHEEL

BRITAIN’S DUNCAN COWPER RACES TO THE CLOUDS AND LANDS ON THE PODIUM

Colorado Springs, CO – The 101st Running of the Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, brought to you by Gran Turismo, welcomed competitors from around the world, making it a true international event. PPIHC rookie, Duncan Cowper of Bishops Stortford, Great Britain, arrived in Colorado in his Alcon Brakes-sponsored 2009 Cowper Dax Rush Pikes Peak Special ready to take on the 12.42 mile course.

A relative stranger to Pikes Peak, Cowper is no stranger to auto racing. His racing career began in 1992 with Kart racing – he finished third overall in his first race. By the end of the first season he was listed 7th of the 132 drivers competing in the championship.

In 1995 he moved to sprint car racing and started collecting trophies. In 2011 he won the British Sprint Modified Production class. He didn’t stop there, but moved on to compete in the UK Time Attack series winning his class and setting two daily fast times. He shifted to drag racing and won the Ultimate Fast Car Class O. Cowper entered a competition known as “Ten of the Best” earning many class wins and ultimately the final competition. In 2016 he entered the Cholmondeley Pageant of Power, an event similar to the Goodwood Festival of Speed, finishing in 2nd place overall.

The first time Cowper made the trip to the 14,115′ summit of Pikes Peak – America’s Mountain was in 2018 when Alcon’s Jonathan Edwards was supporting the VW I.D. R effort, and they drove up the mountain together. Cowper recalls, “Driving up in that rental car was an intense experience.” Being a spectator firsthand in 2016 was a dream come true for Cowper, but actually competing on the mountain wasn’t even on his radar at the time.

The Build

Cowper shared details on his one-off build. “The car is essentially a self-built Lotus 7 type car centered around a 1999 Dax Rush chassis. This is the first Dax to race at Pikes Peak, but I’ve raced it for many years in the UK, winning various sprints and local hill climbs. The car is super light at 600kg (1,050lbs) and has about 400bhp, with a 1300cc Suzuki Hayabusa engine and features an uprated 6-speed gearbox and the Alcon Formula 3 braking system. Our recipe – less is more!”

The Fastest Plasterer

Jonathan Edwards of Alcon Brakes shared, “Special thanks to the Fastest Pastor for his help and motivation. Ironically Duncan is a plasterer by trade and we nicknamed him the Fastest Plasterer.

A lot of racers place great significance in choosing their race number and Cowper is no exception. “The number 35 belonged to motorcycle racer Burt Munro of ‘World’s Fastest Indian’ fame,” shared Cowper. “Burt is a hero of mine and there are similarities between us. I’m just a guy from the UK doing everything I can to travel halfway around the world, just like Burt, to compete in the USA.”

Surpassing the Goal

Before the June 25th race, Cowper’s goal read, “To get to the top of America’s Mountain…if we could finish that would be a massive achievement for us.”

A Run Rewarded

Cowper’s sub-10-minute rookie run of 9:57.072, placed him in third, just edging the Fastest Pastor, Don Wickstrum, who clocked a 10:00.297 in his 2016 Axel Riley Ave LMP3 in the same division. Dan Novembre finished second, while defending champion, Robin Shute of the UK, claimed his fourth King of the Mountain.

“To finish third in class, well that just doesn’t happen to normal people like us. And to go sub-10 minutes is just unbelievable. I think I’m possibly the 5th or 6th fastest Rookie of all time, I still can’t get my head around that!. It just goes to show what a small team with limited budget can do if they really put their minds to it!”

GET TO KNOW DUNCAN COWPER

Three Things For Fans To Know:

“I worked for DJ sports cars for ten years building customer cars and as a test driver for their cobras and “7” style cars.”

“I topped the “Top Gear” lap board, unofficially, at a private event in the car I raced at Pikes Peak.”

“My father passed away a few years ago, but would have been so proud knowing we made it. He was with me in spirit on Race Day.”

Pikes Peak Heroes: “Rod Millen and Ari Vatanen”

Three words to describe Pikes Peak: “Best Adventure Ever”

Who helped you get to Pikes Peak: “My mate Jon Edwards, he pushed me to come and obtained the entry for me so without Jon and Alcon Brakes I wouldn’t have even thought this was possible. Robb Holland loaned us a truck and trailer. Also of special mention is Don Wickstrum who has helped me massively in so many ways.”

Biggest Challenge: “Getting my car to the US. Logistically, it was not easy. There was a lot to sort. Then, after the awards ceremony one of the team flew back to the UK with the truck and trailer keys making it rather hard to get our race car back to Denver!”

Photos by: Larry Chen, Charles Zhao, Luis Garcia, Alcon Brakes

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, August 31, 2023

BEHIND THE WHEEL

ACURA CHIEF ENGINEER JAMES ROBINSON CHAMPIONS NSX ON PIKES PEAK – AMERICA’S MOUNTAIN

Colorado Springs, CO – Since the earliest days of auto racing on Pikes Peak, the grueling mountain course has served as a proving ground for car makers to push the limits of what is possible. Honda/Acura has embraced the opportunity to do just that with their employee-centered race team. HART (Honda of America Race Team) is a volunteer based team that allows Honda associates to chase their passions in racing while learning valuable skills used daily in their roles at Honda.

James Robinson of Raymond, Ohio has been chasing that passion on Pikes Peak – America’s Mountain since 2011. “I competed in a bone stock Honda Fit, with my co-driver, Jared Vanderhoof,” Robinson recalled. “I got an opportunity to showcase the B-Spec Honda Fit in 2011, and I jumped at the chance to drive on the mountain. It was definitely a slow first run up the mountain, but very exciting and I was hooked!” His finish time that first year was 15:46.609 in the Exhibition division.

Switch to NSX

In 2012 Robinson switched to a 1991 NSX and has competed in varying iterations of that model since, competing in both the Pikes Peak Open and Time Attack 1 divisions.

No Stranger to Weather

Robinson’s race week experience at the 2017 Race to the Clouds offered just about every kind of weather possible on the mountain.+

Hybrid Record

Over the course of his 13-year racing career on Pikes Peak, Robinson has notched 5 podium finishes, and set two records for the fastest hybrid-fueled vehicle. His 2018 hybrid record of 10:02.448 was bested in 2020 when he clocked his best time ever of 10:01.913.

Milestone Highs and Lows

Robinson was fortunate to take part in the heralded 100th Anniversary of the iconic race in 2016. The event celebrated 100 years since Colorado Springs businessman and entrepreneur, Spencer Penrose first invited a select group of racers to challenge the 12.42 mile course.

His experience just six years later as he prepared for the 100th Running was a different story. After a crash during an early morning practice session, Robinson would be forced to watch the action from the sidelines instead of from behind the wheel in 2022.

2023 In Review

Robinson talked about racing the NSX this year, sharing, “It’s very interesting as a race car because it’s essentially a production NSX. We’ve removed weight and added some aero elements, but the frame, suspension, shocks / dampers, brakes and hybrid system are all straight from a road-going Acura NSX. On the powertrain side, we’ve added larger turbos, but we’ve not modified the fueling system or intake system and we use these larger turbos to help us maintain factory power output at altitude. The exhaust is the biggest change we’ve made, its twin 4″ straight pipes off the turbos which makes the car a bit louder than a stock NSX!”

“The NSX Type-S performed great this year, I was very thankful to be given the opportunity to drive the HART team car in Time Attack 1. For us, it was an opportunity to test out our new active aerodynamics system that our HART team developed. It worked really well, and we were able to gather a lot of good data.”

One More Podium

Tough competition in 2023 saw Robinson finish in third place behind Time Attack 1 champion David Donohue, and second place finisher, Jeff Zwart.

GET TO KNOW JAMES ROBINSON

Three Things For Fans To Know:

“I am one of the Chief Engineers in the Powertrain Development division where I have the opportunity to support the creation of North American powertrains for Honda and Acura vehicles.”

“I’m incredibly good at eating, in fact, I’m probably eating something right now.”

“Every year we’ve found ways to get weight out of our Acura race vehicles…and every year I’ve gotten heavier!”

Pikes Peak Heroes: “Rod Millen, Monster Tajima and Rick Knoop”

Favorite Section: “The bottom section because it is so fast.”

Favorite Corner: “Ragged Edge”

Most Challenging: “The upper section requires a lot of commitment to keep the speed up – especially the section above Boulder Park. Also, the braking coming into Cog Cut. It almost got me in 2017!”

How did you come up with #902? “It’s my wedding anniversary with my wonderful wife, Shana, September 2nd.”

What makes Pikes Peak different than racing anywhere else? “The view!”

Best advice you received: “Respect the mountain and know your limits.”

Favorite Track: “Easy – the Concord Pond stage at the New England Forest Rally.”

Photos by: Larry Chen, Charles Zhao, Leif Bergerson, Jason Zindrosky, Luis Garcia

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, August 24, 2023

BEHIND THE WHEEL

KASH SINGH ROCKS STREET LEGAL FORD MUSTANG IN HIS THIRTEENTH PPIHC

Colorado Springs, CO – The Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, brought to you by Gran Turismo, has welcomed the Ford brand since the first race in 1916. Perhaps no one is more enthusiastic about the brand than Kash Singh. Currently making his home in Las Vegas, Nevada, Singh’s professional career is Sales and Marketing Manager for Shelby American. He has campaigned several iterations of the iconic Ford Mustang, including the GT500, on Pikes Peak.

Singh shares, “My passion for racing and all things cars traces back to junior high where the walls of my bedroom were adorned with images of race cars and exotics of the ’90s and my book shelves were stacked with models. I saved up and bought my first car in high school while working at a local race shop and most of my weekends were spent at car shows and drag tracks centered around the Southern California sports compact car scene. By the mid-2000s I’d started spending time carving the mountain roads in the area. That’s when my passion for hill climbs was sparked. In 2011 I entered my first event, the most famous and dangerous race of them all – Pikes Peak. I’ve raced it every year since, with mixed results, chasing personal goals.”

Singh’s first attempt at the 14,115′ summit allowed him to experience the course during the final year that some segments remained unpaved. When he returned in 2012, the dust had settled and paving was complete. Singh competed in the Time Attack division through 2019. He switched to Pikes Peak Open in 2020, clocking his personal best time, 11:38.388 and finishing 5th in the division.

Can’t Stop Kash

Singh was invited to race in the 100th Anniversary event in 2016 and set some unique unofficial records in the process. While a DNF is listed next to his name in the final results, he is also in the record books for receiving three red flags and four green flags, both appear to be records for one race. Further, the 21.3 green flag miles he ran on Race Day earned him two more records, one for having driven the most miles in a single race and another for completing the most miles in a race without finishing. After a year of preparation and road tripping his racecar 1,000+ miles from his home, at that time, in Washington to Pikes Peak, it could be easy to become discouraged after such a rough day, but Singh embraced it. With his signature smile, he showed up for the awards ceremony the next day with a big red flag draped over his shoulder. He was presented with the Donner Award for his determination and incredible attitude in 2016.

GET TO KNOW KASH SINGH

Three Things For Fans To Know:

“I was born in the Fiji Islands.”

“I was an extra in the first Fast and Furious film.”

“To get in the right frame of mind before the race I put on my PPIHC playlist including a couple of songs from AC/DC – ‘Thunderstruck/Back in Black’, Beastie Boys – ‘Intergalactic/Sabotage’, and Awolnation – ‘Sail’. The XX Intro is my go-to.”

Pikes Peak Heroes: “Rod Millen and Monster Tajima”

Favorite Section: “Glen Cove to Devils Playground”

Best advice you received about racing on Pikes Peak: “Stay humble and soak in any advice the veterans can provide.”

Any good luck charms? “Yes! A couple of charms given by friends – one is a plush donut!”

Favorite Track: “COTA – Circuit of the Americas”

What’s next on your schedule? “We have a Shelby Bash at the end of September at our world headquarters where about 400 Team Shelby members from around the world descend on Las Vegas for track days and events. I will be behind the wheel for hot lap rides. Beyond that I’m also looking forward to working in some Global Time Attack and Gridlife events.”

Photos by: Larry Chen, Leif Bergerson, Louis Yio, Revvolution and Randels Media Group

Contact:
Lisa Haight
Communications Manager / Historian
lisa@ppihc.org
(719) 685-4400
www.ppihc.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, August 17, 2023

BEHIND THE WHEEL

BIMMERWORLD’S JAMES CLAY NOTCHES FIFTH YEAR ON PIKES PEAK – AMERICA’S MOUNTAIN

Colorado Springs, CO – The 101st Running of the Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, brought to you by Gran Turismo, is now in the rearview mirror as organizers and competitors prepare for 2024. Five-time PPIHC competitor, James Clay, is no exception. His driving career began on-track in 1997, moving to amateur racing in 1998 with BMW Club, SCCA, NASA, PCA, and One Lap of America events. His professional racing career launched in 2002 when he entered World Challenge, GRAND-AM, IMSA, and FIA sanctioned races.

In 2017, Clay made his first assault on the 14,115′ summit of Pikes Peak – America’s Mountain. It would not be his last. Clay entered the Time Attack 1 division, placing sixth in 11:02.966. Behind the wheel of his 2011 BMW M3, he finished 31st overall of 80 entrants. Clay shared, “My first year on the mountain was in a naturally aspirated BMW M3 as part of an OPTIMA Batteries torture test campaign for a new product launch. That introduction to the mountain started a 5-year build odyssey with our current BMW M3 – a 1,400Hp turbocharged monster built specifically for this event, dubbed the Bergsteiger.”

Name and Number

The German term “Bergsteiger” roughly translated means “climber”, and Clay was ready to continue the climb in 2019, this time in his 95 BMW M3 moving to the Pikes Peak Open division. He completed the run and lowered his finish time to an impressive 10:39.786.

Asked about the significance of his race number, Clay replied, “Our #36 comes from the E36 chassis code of the first race car we built as BimmerWorld back in the late 90s – the same chassis our Bergsteiger was built from.”

Weather Wins

Two years would elapse before Clay reappeared on the mountain, post-pandemic, again in his #36 BMW M3 in the Pikes Peak Open division. Claiming his spot in the inaugural Fast 15 in 2021 put Clay in a good position to start early on race day.

However, all the preparation and planning in the world cannot override Mother Nature. Race organizers were forced to shorten the course due to ice and snow on the road below the summit. Drivers would finish at the 16 Mile marker, four miles below the traditional finish line.

Milestone 100th Running

Undeterred, Clay returned in 2022 for the 100th Running of the Race to the Clouds, again, earning his spot in the Fast 15, and again, being thwarted by adverse weather on the day that mattered. A very cold, foggy, wet course greeted every racer, but despite the conditions, they made their way, albeit more slowly than they would have liked, to the top. While there were no records set in 2022, Clay did secure a spot on the podium, second place in the Pikes Peak Open division.

Clay receives his 2022 Fast 15 award from two-time King of the Mountain, Errol Kobilan, at the PPIHC Road to 100 celebration.

PPIHC in Three Words

Intense. Challenging. Rewarding. This is how James Clay describes racing on Pikes Peak.

Clay explained, “Race Week can be grueling, but in my fifth year of the event, it’s not really anymore. First, we have an amazing team of people, both from our BimmerWorld group as well as local friends that join the effort – that is huge in making it all like clockwork. But I also realized this year was the first year that I truly enjoyed every aspect of the event and didn’t feel the intense trepidation that the mountain and the speeds we run can create. I am fortunate to be here. The family of racers, teams, and staff at this event is unique, and I loved every minute of the long week – and month!”

After his race day run, Clay shared, “This was the weather and run we have been waiting for, and I’m content that it didn’t come until we had the third year on the car and it was really working well.”

“Every time I get to the top, or finish the race day run, there is always some combination of relief that we made it, excitement from the adrenaline of the run, and disappointment that it’s all over. Every year there is a feeling of wishing I had pushed harder in specific places, but that’s what keeps me coming back.”

A Run Rewarded

When Race Day 2023 presented drivers with clear skies and warm temps, Clay was ready. Once again, he’d captured a Fast 15 qualifying time and was prepared to prove his BMW was a contender. Laying down a sub-10 minute run and a personal best time of 09:20.433, Clay stepped to the podium, claiming third in the 15-entrant Pikes Peak Open division. Third is even more impressive when you’re on the podium with first place finisher, and overall course record holder, Romain Dumas and second place finisher also a PPIHC division winner, Raphael Astier.

What’s Next?

“I had said I wanted a representative run with our Bergsteiger machine before I moved to the next events with it, but I feel like I want to go under 9 minutes after this year,” says Clay. “OPTIMA Batteries has been such an amazing partner at this event and it was never my intent to do it repeatedly, but we have already talked about 2024. This year I recognized the family I am a part of out here, and it would be really hard not to come back and see all my friends in June.”

GET TO KNOW JAMES CLAY

Three Things For Fans To Know:

“I am terrified of heights. My first time on the mountain in a rental car was…interesting.”

“If you have a dog nearby that needs ear scratches, I’m your guy.”

“I work as a driving instructor at the BMW Race School.”

Pikes Peak Heroes: “Rod Millen and Tim Hardy – I remember watching on TV as a kid and seeing the big Rod Millen Toyota winged car.”

Favorite Corner: “The more I run here, the more I like the speed and challenge of Elk Park.”

Most Challenging: “The Ws are a huge challenge. The risk is higher, and the speeds are still extremely high. I always breathe a sigh of relief on race day when I clear that section.”

What racing have you done since the PPIHC? “June was intense with the Pikes Peak test days, race week, and another SRO series race sandwiched between. We had a nice summer break from racing, and I was able to catch up on needed family time and getting to see my girlfriend, as well as a Grid Life time trial event with one of our project cars and some team testing. We’re now starting the second half of our SRO season in Wisconsin!”

Favorite Track: “The Nürburgring”

Photos by: Larry Chen, Charles Zhao, Leif Bergerson, Jason Zindrosky, Luis Garcia, Bimmerworld/James Clay

Contact:
Lisa Haight
Communications Manager / Historian
lisa@ppihc.org
(719) 685-4400
www.ppihc.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, August 10, 2023

BEHIND THE WHEEL

ROOKIE HAYDEN BRADLEY ROCKS 2023 PORSCHE PIKES PEAK TROPHY BY YOKOHAMA DIVISION

Colorado Springs, CO – While the 101st Running of the Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, brought to you by Gran Turismo, has come and gone, stories of champions continue to be told. One such story is the tale of first-time PPIHC competitor, Hayden Bradley of St. Petersburg, FL, the youngest racer in the 2023 field at 18 years old. Despite his youth, Bradley’s comfort level behind the wheel was beyond his years.

In the 2020 and early 2021 seasons, Bradley, a 15-year old at the time, notched 22 races in the Lucas Oil Formula Car Series at Lucas Oil School of Racing at tracks in Kentucky, New Jersey, Louisiana, Illinois and Florida, including Homestead-Miami and Sebring.

His second season in the Lucas Oil Formula Car series saw him compete in 18 races. His final race of the 2021 season was a move to the World Racing League’s GP-2 Class where he drove a sports car in the 24 Hour Enduro, finishing in fourth place at Sebring International Raceway.

At 17, Bradley completed 13 races in the WRL series at tracks across the country, from Road America in Wisconsin, to Daytona, Virginia International Raceway, Colorado’s High Plains Raceway, Road Atlanta in Georgia and Circuit of the Americas in Austin, TX.

With a total of 54 races under his belt, Bradley applied for the 101st Running of the Race to the Clouds. He received an invitation to compete in the one-make Porsche Pikes Peak Trophy by Yokohama division.

Livery and Race Number

Bradley described his 2023 entry, “I raced a 2020 Porsche 718 Cayman Clubsport GT4 – a racecar perfectly engineered for this challenge with a combination of balance and performance. My livery is the legendary Yokohama ADVAN livery. For over 40 years the ADVAN livery has represented a winning legacy so I was excited and honored for the opportunity to represent that heritage at Pikes Peak. As far as my race number, 727, is actually the area code of my hometown – St. Petersburg, Florida.”

Early Morning Test

Bradley experienced the 12.42 mile course for the first time during a test session in early June where he was introduced to a variety of course conditions, experienced the challenges of performing at high altitude, and, of course, 156 turns.

Recalling his thoughts after that initial session, Bradley shared, “My mindset after that first test day was I realized how much different it all is when at speed and compared to the simulations. I thought, ‘…just head down, eyes forward, and learn as much as possible.’ Nothing I’d read, watched, or been told could have prepared me for the gravity of the experience and the respect the mountain demands. I realized that day that the Hill Climb is the ultimate test of risk versus reward, and the only way to find the limit is to be 100% dedicated to putting in the time and effort to be as prepared as possible for all 156 turns, and to be ready to adapt to any weather thrown my way.”

Student and Coach

“It was an interesting year for me to coach, actually, the most fun I have had coaching this division,” shared Jeff Zwart, PPIHC Hall of Famer and division mentor. “Hayden came from a road racing background and I had heard he would be quick. He really drove in a way that impressed me and got faster every day.”

Bradley recalls, “Jeff is an incredible coach, and had an amazing way of teaching me about how learning the mountain is its own process – you’re attempting to tame the untamable. The way Jeff walked me through his multiple step process and explained how the mountain is its own ecosystem, changing from session to session, and the way it can come together if approached correctly really showed me that training to take on the mountain isn’t just a one-time process. Once you begin training and learning it, the learning has no end and you’re not necessarily aiming for a final destination. Every day I was there, we’d train to overcome a new challenge which only meant opportunity for more forward progress. Even though we performed well and got an awesome result, there is still so much more to learn. It requires as much mental discipline as it does physical.”

Summit Celebration

“Standing on the summit holding the Champion flag was a surreal experience I will never forget,” declared Bradley. “As bad as I wanted to win the division for myself, it held even more meaning as there were some special people who spent a lot of time on the mountain with me, including my sponsors, who made it all possible. Sharing this win with them was a way to say thank you for their investment in me.”

Hurley Haywood

Accolades from an Icon
“I was very impressed with Hayden when I met him at Pikes Peak this year. I see lots of kids wanting to make racing their profession but I saw something special in Hayden. His approach to the challenges he faces both on the track and in the business environment is that of a much more seasoned person. He has proven he has the talent to drive race cars and the maturity to bring them into the winner’s circle.”

GET TO KNOW HAYDEN BRADLEY

Three Things For Fans To Know:
“I was born & raised in St Petersburg, Florida.”
“I was two years old when I attended the St. Pete Grand Prix. That very day I said, ‘I will be a race car driver.'”

“My goal is to secure an opportunity in the Porsche Driver Development Program and ascend the Porsche Motorsports Pyramid to become a Porsche factory driver.”

Pikes Peak Heroes: “Cam Ingram, David Donner, Jeff Zwart, and Ken Block – each for different reasons.”

Favorite Corner: “The bottom and top sections are tied for my favorite.”

Most Challenging Corner/Section: “Probably Cog Cut due to how the road undulates both before and during the braking zone. It took a lot of experimenting in attempting to perfect that corner.”

What’s your Daily Driver? “A 2018 GMC Terrain, but my dream car would have to be a Porsche 930 Turbo or a Porsche 993 Turbo S.”

Photos by: Larry Chen, Luis Garcia, Charles Zhao, Jason Zindroski; Brumos Racing

CORRECTION to last week’s Behind the Wheel: Jeff Zwart won 8 races, not 7!

Contact:
Lisa Haight
Communications Manager / Historian
lisa@ppihc.org
(719) 685-4400

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, August 3, 2023

BEHIND THE WHEEL

PPIHC HALL OF FAMER JEFF ZWART WELCOMING, WISE, WINNER

Colorado Springs, CO – Sixty six drivers from around the world converged on Pikes Peak – America’s Mountain in June to test their skill, their courage and their horsepower on the 12.42 mile course. Many were veterans of the iconic race, a handful were returning Kings of the Mountain, and a group of 17 rookies arrived with raw talent, uncertain expectations and a list of questions. They were all fortunate to have the opportunity to race alongside PPIHC Hall of Famer, Jeff Zwart.

The Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, brought to you by Gran Turismo, is a hill climb like no other; known worldwide as a proving ground for manufacturers, a test of memorization, and one of the pinnacles of motorsports competition. Zwart has experienced the mountain from just about every angle, both behind the lens and behind the wheel.

On the way to his first PPIHC win in 1994 in 11:53.48.

Beginnings

In 1989, Zwart entered the Pikes Peak Production division in a Mazda, finishing fourth. He returned in 1994 as part of the Pikes Peak Open division where he drove his 1990 Porsche to a first place division finish. He repeated that pattern from 1996-1998, bringing the famous German marque to the mountain and standing atop the podium.

His only departure from the brand, aside from his rookie year, was in 2004 when he entered the Group O Rally division in a Mitsubishi Evo 8.

Sharing Wisdom

Perhaps one of the best ambassadors of the PPIHC, Zwart not only competes. but makes himself available on and off the mountain to coach and mentor other drivers. From set up, to optimal race line, to racing in rough weather, Zwart has a wealth of knowledge stored up and ready to share. For the past six years he has been the driving coach for the Porsche Pikes Peak Trophy by Yokohama – a one-make division that has included Travis Pastrana, Blake “Bilko” Williams, Tanner Foust, JR Hildebrand, Loni Unser, Kathryn Mead and local favorite, George Hess.

“Coaching this class on the mountain has taught me a lot and ultimately made me quicker on the mountain, shared Zwart. “To spend the days coaching and breaking down the nuances of going fast is certainly something that I can apply to my own driving.”

“I pull back the curtain on my own process that has worked for me for the last 20 years and I love seeing the competitors in this Porsche division taking on the same process.” – Jeff Zwart

Porsche Enthusiast

Zwart has claimed seven division wins on America’s Mountain, and every one of those has been notched in a Porsche racing machine.

In 2010 he set a Time Attack record in the Porsche GT3 Cup car.

His fastest time, 9:43.921, was clocked in 2020 in the 2019 Porsche 935, one of three sub-10 minute runs Zwart has recorded to date.

He was inducted to the Pikes Peak Hill Climb Hall of Fame in 2018.

Driver and Director

Zwart began as a still photographer graduating from the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena California in 1979. His early work was for Road & Track Magazine, which led to advertising campaigns for automotive companies including Porsche, BMW, Mercedes Benz, and virtually every other automotive brand. Zwart also channeled his enthusiasm for motorsport as a co-founder of RACER magazine in 1992.

Zwart continues to work as a commercial film director specializing in high action television commercials and films shot all over the world.

Capturing Greatness

Zwart chronicled one of his Pikes Peak experiences, Porsche, the Road to Pikes Peak. He also directed superstar Ken Block’s drifting adventure on Pikes Peak in ClimbKhana.

GET TO KNOW JEFF ZWART

Three Things For Fans To Know:

“I live in Colorado.”

“I first came to Pikes Peak as a photographer for Road & Track magazine.”

“I have published six automotive photo art books on Porsche and racing – two of my favorite subjects.”

Pikes Peak Heroes:

Michele Mouton, Bobby Unser, Rod Millen

What makes the PPIHC different than racing anywhere else:

Racing against the elements and the mountain, which is always changing, and you get just one chance to make it to the summit.

Favorite Corner: 11 Mile

Some Racing Highlights:

SCCA US Pro Rally Championship Open Class Champion 1990
Panama – Alaska 1997 FIA Marathon 10,000 mile Rally, 2nd
Baja 1000 Baja Challenge Class Champion 2004
TransSyberia Rally 2007 – Moscow to Mongolia
Drove the first 911 to complete the Mexican 1000 in the 50 year Baja history in 2017
Also races locally in Colorado Hill Climb Association events

Favorite Track: Road Atlanta

Photos by: Scott Payne, Nathan Leach Proffer, Larry Chen, Luis Garcia, Jeff Zwart, PPIHC Archives

ABOUT THE PIKES PEAK INTERNATIONAL HILL CLIMB

Contact:
Lisa Haight
Communications Manager / Historian
lisa@ppihc.org
(719) 685-4400
www.ppihc.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 27, 2023

BEHIND THE WHEEL

GREGOIRE BLACHON

CLINCHES DIESEL FUEL RECORD

Colorado Springs, CO – The 101st Running of the Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, brought to you by Gran Turismo, welcomed 66 competitors from around the world and across the USA on June 25.

Frenchman, Gregoire Blachon, had long hoped to capture the diesel-powered vehicle record on Pikes Peak – America’s Mountain, and on June 25, 2023 he crossed the finish in 10:25.071 in his 2023 Radical SR Diesel. When asked about his 2023 achievement, Blachon shared, “Nothing could compare to the feeling I had when I crossed the finish line after that perfect run, knowing that my hard work and persistence had paid off and that the diesel record was in my name.”

The former diesel record, 11:24.065, set in 2020 by Scott Birdsall in his smoke-belching 1949 Ford F1, was eclipsed by nearly one minute.

Always Diesel

From his earliest days on America’s Mountain, Blachon championed diesel-powered machines. In 2013, driving his 1996 Subaru Impreza Boxeer Diesel in the Pikes Peak Open division, he clocked a time of 14:50.304.

“I’ve had this dream since 2013 during my rookie run in a Subaru Impreza 22B replica that I converted to diesel and drove myself,” explained Blachon, “but I didn’t know anything about engineering for the mountain yet, and I had only 92hp at the Peak! I knew I had the engineering skills to make it happen, so I got a rally champion driver, Manfred Stohl, to bring the driving skills to match.

Crowd-Pleasing VW Bug

The 1972 Volkswagen Bug 2.0 TDI CR Boxeer, first raced by Manfred Stohl in 2018, proved to be popular with race fans. Forced to run a weather-shortened course, the little beetle didn’t get a chance to go for the record.

In 2020, Stohl planned to return, but the pandemic nixed overseas travel. Nashville, Tennessee-based Blachon piloted the 2020 Boxeer TDI Bug to a finish time of 11:25.107 in the Exhibition division.

Still hopeful, Blachon returned for a repeat attempt at a diesel record in the 2021 VW Bug Proto TRI-TDI Diesel the following year, but was foiled by adverse weather.

A Radical Attempt

By 2022, Blachon was ready to reveal a new entry, the 2022 Radical SR Triple Turbo PDK Diesel. All competitors in the milestone 100th Running faced a cold, fog-shrouded course on Race Day. Blachon finished the 12.42 miles in 12:33.647.

Focused on a Record

Facing near perfect weather in 2023, Blachon and his 2023 Radical SR Diesel blazed to the 14,115′ summit in 10:25.071, not only a new personal best but a new diesel-powered record.

Asked what kept him coming back to Pikes Peak, Blachon provided a thoughtful answer, “I set my sights on the diesel record in 2013, and I’m not one to give up once I decide to do something. My dad was the famous French rally driver, Jean Ragnotti’s, first co-pilot. He died when I was 10, and knowing that the name Blachon is back on the racing scene is part of what keeps me wrenching and taking the wheel. Plus, I love the challenges that the Peak brings to my install – it keeps me thinking creatively about how to maximize power in any conditions, from sea level to 14000+ feet!”

What’s Next?

“I told myself that the diesel record was the finish line, but now that I’ve made it, I’m ready to think about my next goal,” said Blachon. “With the new sponsorship opportunities rolling in, I’m confident that I’ll create and drive a diesel to the summit in under 10 minutes.”

“This record is especially amazing for me because the three different energy records are now held by the French. Romain Dumas—electric, Sébastien Loeb—gasoline, Grégoire Blachon—diesel. But I’m the only one who works out of my own little garage at home.”

Get to Know Gregoire Blachon

Three Things for Fans to Know:

“I put the same diesel engine in a VW Vanagon that my wife and I drove from Nashville to Argentina and back over two years. Other than race week, we live in it over the summer with our three kids and a pitbull…last year we went straight from Pikes Peak to Baja, and by the time you read this in 2023, we’ll be somewhere off the grid in Wyoming.”

“My only other trophy was a slow race tractor trophy that I won with my son riding on my lap in a 1970s John Deere 850.”

“This year I raced to the top with a Nutella crepe in my pocket – my favorite treat!”

Pikes Peak Hero:

Sébastien Loeb

Favorite Track:

“Circuit de Lédenon in the south of France (Provence), where I’m from.”

Photo credits: Rob Miskowitch, Larry Chen, Luis Garcia, Louis Yio

ABOUT THE PIKES PEAK INTERNATIONAL HILL CLIMB

Contact:

Lisa Haight

Communications Manager / Historian

lisa@ppihc.org

(719) 685-4400

www.ppihc.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 13, 2023

BEHIND THE WHEEL

PRILIKA RETURNS TO AMERICA’S MOUNTAIN

WITH TEAM SHELBY AMERICAN FOR

2023 RACE TO THE CLOUDS

Colorado Springs, CO – The 101st Running of The Pikes Peak International Hill Climb – brought to you by Gran Turismo saw many familiar faces back on America’s Mountain to challenge the 12.42 mile course. Along with familiar faces were iconic brands, including a Ford Shelby Super Snake Sport. Robert Prilika of Larkspur, Colorado climbed behind the wheel of this beast, racing for Shelby American, in the Exhibition division. It was Prilika’s seventh race on this famous mountain course. He crossed the finish line in 13:03.579.

Prilika first experienced the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb in 2013 when he competed as a rookie in the Pikes Peak Open division, claiming third place. He returned in 2014, but didn’t take a green flag. In 2016, Prilika was back for the 100th Anniversary, again, finishing third.

The Time Attack division ran in two classes in 2017 – Time Attack 1, and Time Attack 2 Production. Prilika, driving a 2009 Chevrolet Corvette, finished the course in 12:17.282 for a TA2 Production win.

A crash in practice prevented him from competing in 2018. By 2020 he was back in the Unlimited division in another Porsche, taking fourth. “It is the people and the cars that have brought me back,” he shared. “Racing the 101^st Pikes Peak International Hill Climb was an honor and coming back this year to celebrate the 100^th birthday of Carroll Shelby is special. Last year I was chosen to drive for the 60^th anniversary of Shelby American in a Shelby GT500SE,” stated Prilika. “This year I raced a Shelby F150 Super Snake Sport truck, based on the Ford F150. The roots of this F150 are traced back to the famous Shelby Cobra muscle cars. Shelby American worked closely with partners FOX, Ford Performance and Borla to transform the F150 Super Snake Sport into a muscle truck. Driving this truck up Pikes Peak was a great way to expose fans to the ultimate street truck available at local Ford dealers.”

Prilika’s Porsches

Prilika moves above tree line during his first running on Pikes Peak. He drove a 2010 Porsche GT3 Cup car during the 2013 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb.

His fastest time was in 2016 behind the wheel of a Porsche GT3 Cup, where he clocked a time of 11:11.713.

The last time Prilika ran a Porsche was in 2020. He navigated a 2014 Porsche GT3 Cup 991.1 to his second fastest time on the mountain of 11:12.279.

Putting his Ford Shelby GT500KR through its paces in 2022 while celebrating Shelby America’s 60th anniversary at the 100th Running of the Race to the Clouds, Prilika finished in 13:37.383.

Get to Know Robert Prilika

Three Things for Fans to Know – “I’ve won 20 championships and 370 races in various series formats including Open Wheel, Stock Cars, road courses and circle tracks.”

“I was inducted to the Colorado Motorsports Hall of Fame in 2019.”

“I graduated from the University of Colorado with degrees in Biology, Law, and Engineering.”

Pikes Peak Heroes – “Bobby Unser, Paul Dallenbach and David Donner”

Favorite Section of Pikes Peak – “The bottom section. I like how it flows, and I find it more challenging than the other sections.”

Favorite Track – “Circuit of the Americas (COTA) in Texas”

Photo credits: Larry Chen, Louis Yio, Scott Payne, Luis Garcia, Danyella Prilika

ABOUT THE PIKES PEAK INTERNATIONAL HILL CLIMB

Contact:

Lisa Haight

Communications Manager / Historian

lisa@ppihc.org

(719) 685-4400

www.ppihc.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, June 29, 2023

BEHIND THE WHEEL

PPIHC ROOKIE OF THE YEAR SYLAS MONTGOMERY

Colorado Springs, CO – The 101st Running of the Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, brought to you by Gran Turismo, welcomed 66 drivers from around the world and across the USA on June 25. A strong field of seventeen first-time competitors arrived to challenge the 12.42 mile course, but it was Sylas Montgomery (Sonoma, CA) competing in the Open Wheel division who laid down the fastest time of the day, clinching the top rookie honor on Race Day.

Drawing a Crowd
Kicking off the race week with an impressive qualifying time of 4:05.374, Montgomery locked in his place in the 101st Running Fast 15 qualifiers. His car was proudly displayed in the Fast 15 Alley in downtown Colorado Springs at the annual Fan Fest.

Hard Work Pays Off
Montgomery and his homage to the early sprint car days on Pikes Peak enjoyed an autograph session with race fans in the Fast 15 Alley.

Montgomery embraced the Race to the Clouds like a veteran taking advantage of each practice session on the mountain, eagerly meeting fans at every opportunity, and explaining the #44 build to curious reporters. As first-timers on Pikes Peak, the MFG Motorsports team included pro driver Tim Barber as well as members of Montgomery’s close knit family.

Rookie of the Year
Montgomery accepted his Rookie of the Year award along with a second place trophy in the Open Wheel division for his finish time of 09:55.993.

Quick, Quick, Quick
With a sub-10-minute time, Montgomery’s expectations for the day were more than satisfied by his rookie run.

While practice day weather proved unpredictable, clear skies welcomed Montgomery to the Start Line on Race Day as he launched toward the summit. Montgomery piloted his 2007 MFG Road Course Sprint Car to the checkered flag exclaiming, “When I approached the checkered flag at the summit, I was relieved to have done it for the team. It was emotional coming to a stop, seeing all the other competitors happy that you made it. Also, having David Donohue greet me and help me out of the car, how cool is that!?”

Montgomery accepting his second place finish trophy alongside first place, Codie Vahsholtz and third-place Dave Carapetyan for the Open Wheel Division.

GET TO KNOW SYLAS MONTGOMERY

Three Things For Fans To Know:

I got into racing taking a highway survival course.

I am from Sonoma, CA where MFG is based.

My favorite color is pink but MFG gold is a close second!

Pikes Peak Hero:

Bobby Unser

What does racing Pikes Peak this year mean to you?

“Racing Pikes Peak is a dream I never knew I would have the opportunity to fulfill. Watching the onboards of Bobby Unser is a vision that has stuck in my mind.”

ABOUT MFG RACING
Founded in 2021 with the goal to shake the motorsport community with the most unconventional speed machines, MFG is a fabrication shop that specializes in the obscure and fast. MFG stands for Montgomery Fabrication Group and is a family owned race shop located at Sonoma Raceway in Northern California.

Photos by:
Larry Chen Photo – Larry Chen, Luis Garcia, Charles Zhao; Sylas Montgomery

Contact:
Lisa Haight
Communications Manager / Historian
lisa@ppihc.org
(719) 685-4400

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 28, 2023

SUNNY SKIES AND FALLING RECORDS DOMINATE 2023 RACE TO THE CLOUDS

Colorado Springs, Colorado — The 101st Running of The Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, brought to you by Gran Turismo has wrapped up for 2023, but the stories of feats and achievements on Pikes Peak – America’s Mountain continue to be told. Drivers in six divisions stepped up to podium finishes while seven race records were toppled.

Cole Powelson at the Summit, June 25, 2023

Unlimited Division
The UK’s Robin Shute, now residing in Long Beach, CA, sent his 2018 Wolf TSC-FS to the summit in a sizzling 08:40.080, claiming first in the Unlimited division and earning his fourth King of the Mountain crown.

Dan Novembre of Colorado Springs, made his 15th run to the summit to claim a division second place in his 2013 Wolf GB08S TC Special in 09:27.611.

Duncan Cowper, also representing Great Britain, and a talented PPIHC rookie, captured third in the 2009 Cowper Dax Rush Pikes Peak Special with an impressive sub-10-minute run of 09:57.072.

Pikes Peak Open Division

Romain Dumas of Azier, Switzerland, four-time King of the Mountain and overall course record holder, grabbed top honors in the Pikes Peak Open division in the purpose-built 2023 Ford Performance SuperVan 4.2 with a sub-eight run of 08:47.682. His time beat the 2019 record set by Peter Cunningham, setting a new mark in the Pikes Peak Open division. The PPIHC overall course record set by Dumas in 2018 in the Volkswagen I.D. R Pikes Peak, a blistering 07:57.148, still reigns.

France’s Raphael Astier joined Dumas on the podium claiming second place in the sleek 2018 Alpine A110 GT4 Evo in 09:17.412.

James Clay of Dublin, VA took third in the #36 1995 BMW M3 just three seconds behind Astier with a 09:20.433.

Time Attack 1 Division

David Donohue of West Chester, PA returned to Pikes Peak in his 2019 Porsche GT2 RS Clubsport. He not only won the division, but bested the former record set in 2020 by David Donner. Donohue would step to the top of the podium with his record time of 09:18.053 – a prestigious win for Brumos. As the fastest Porsche on the mountain, Donohue also received the Bergmeister Award, given by Porsche of Colorado Springs and Fred Veitch. The award also allowed the winner to designate a cause or charity of their choice to direct the $1,000 cash award. Donohue graciously awarded the funds to the newly established 43 Institute Foundation in honor of the late Ken Block.

Racer, film maker, driver coach, and PPIHC Hall of Famer, Jeff Zwart of Aspen, CO drove his 2019 Porsche 935/19 to second place in 09:46.131.

Acura’s James Robinson of Raymond, OH captured third in his 2022 NSX in 10:11.950.

Open Wheel Division

Codie Vahsholtz of Woodland Park, CO piloting the 2013 Ford Open Vahsholtz Custom, clocked a new Open Wheel division record, besting his father Clint’s record set in 2020 – in the same racecar. Codie’s time was 09:19.192.

Sylas Montgomery, a PPIHC newcomer, grabbed second place in the throwback 2007 MFG Road Course Sprint Car – a build harkening back to the early sprint car designs on Pikes Peak. His time was 09:55.993. As the fastest rookie, overall, Montgomery was also awarded 2023 PPIHC Rookie of the Year.

Back on the mountain for the first time since 2015, “Texas Dave” Carapetyan of Dale, Texas proved he hadn’t forgotten one of those 156 turns, taking third place in the 2023 Sierra Alpha in 10:04.665.

Porsche Pikes Peak Trophy by Yokohama Division

In a tight race, the spec-Porsche division welcomed three PPIHC rookies to the podium. The difference in their finish times spanned only seven seconds. Hayden Bradley, an eighteen year old up-and-coming driver from St. Petersburg, FL took the win with a time of 10:48.387 in the 2020 Porsche Cayman GT4 Clubsport.

Nuno Caetano traveled from Lisbon, Portugal to the summit of Pikes Peak – America’s Mountain to claim a division second place finish in his 2020 Porsche Cayman Clubsport in 10:50.741.

Third place went to Hutton McKenna of Norwalk, CA for his clocking of 10:55.746 behind the wheel of his 2023 Porsche GT4.

Exhibition Division

Tanner Foust of Newport Beach, CA was tapped by Radford to take their Ant Anstead/Jenson Button build to the summit for the 101st running. Foust’s division win in the 2023 Radford Type 62-2 put him in first in the eclectic Exhibition division with a time of 09:37.326.

Randy Pobst, racing out of Atlanta, GA took second in the 2021 Tesla Model S Plaid bringing a loyal fan base to cheer him on to a finish time of 09:54.901. Pobst’s clocking was a new Electric Modified Car record.

Rhys Millen of Huntington Beach, CA, racing the bright yellow, Pennzoil-liveried 2023 BMW M8 claimed third while setting a new Production Car record of 10:12.024. This topped his former production record set in 2019 in the equally impressive Bentley Continental GT.

Notable Highlights
In his diesel-fueled Exhibition division entry, the #20 Radical SR Diesel, Frenchman, Gregoire Blachon, racing out of Nashville, TN, roared to the summit in 10:25.071, smashing Scott Birdsall’s 2020 record of 11:24.065.

Kathryn Mead of Austin, TX edged the time set by Vanina Ickx in 2018 – 10:54.901 – with her 4th place finish in the Time Attack 1 division, marking her as the fastest woman to race a car on Pikes Peak. Mead’s time of 10:53.074 gave her the distinction. Only Germany’s Lucy Glockner aboard her BMW motorcycle in 2019, notching a sub-10-minute run of 09:58.878, has been faster. Notably, Mead also earned Rookie of the Year honors in 2020.

Gardner Nichols, a PPIHC Rookie from Basalt, CO set the initial record for the Electric Production Truck/Van entry, racing his 2022 Rivian R1T in the Exhibition division to a finish time of 11:23.983.