Category: Race News

JOIN RACER NETWORK OR STREAM ON RACER+ FOR LIVE PPIHC COVERAGE ON JUNE 22

Colorado Springs, Colorado — The Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, presented by Gran Turismo, welcomes RACER Network in a new partnership that will bring live event coverage to fans around the world.

Watch Pikes Peak Live presented by Mobil 1™ on the RACER Network (available via cable and satellite) and the new RACER+ streaming service, Sunday, June 22. Eight hours of live coverage on the RACER Network, plus post-race highlight episodes, will deliver the most complete and immersive Pikes Peak International Hill Climb coverage ever.

SPECIAL OFFER: Unlock the exclusive RACER Bundle with a year of RACER Magazine plus unlimited access to RACER+. Redeem HERE.

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THE ROAD TO GLORY

PPIHC QUALIFYING RESULTS AND HIGHLIGHTS

JUNE 17, 2025

FAGGIOLI PACES QUALIFYING

DUMAS LEADS MIDDLE SECTION

THREE DIVISIONS GO 1-2-3 IN UPPER SECTION

Colorado Springs, CO — The Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, presented by Gran Turismo welcomed all drivers to the mountain early this morning. Following yesterday’s all-competitor Technical Inspection, drivers were split into three groups for today’s first day of practice runs and qualifying on the 12.42 mile course.

Day #1: Tuesday, June 17  

Upper Section: Time Attack 1, Pikes Peak GT4 Trophy by Yokohama, Exhibition

Middle Section: Pikes Peak Open

Lower Section (Qualifying): Unlimited, Open Wheel

Lower Section / Qualifying: Cool and cloudy temperatures early in the morning gave way to plenty of sun for the final run of qualifying. Two divisions ran in the section – Unlimited and Open Wheel.

One of just five drivers to ever set a sub-nine minute time on race day, Simone Faggioli kicked things off with a 3:38.448 on the first run in his 2018 Nova Proto NP01 Bardahl, and held the lead all day before wrapping things up with a blistering 3:33.757 on the final run. Second to Faggioli was his teammate, Diego Degasperi, who wrung a 3:40.591 out of the same equipment.

Leading the Open Wheel competitors was Colorado Springs’ own Dan Novembre, who laid down a 3:44.852 to close out the day and edge out Unlimited driver David Donner for third overall by just under one tenth of a second. Novembre’s first sector time was faster than Degasperi, as he looks to return the 2013 Wolf GB08S TC Special to the Fast 15 once again this year. In total, seven competitors managed to break the four-minute mark in qualifying, including six in the final run.

Four-time King of the Mountain Robin Shute makes his return to Pikes Peak this year with something completely new to him: DuSold Designs’ 1967 Chevrolet Camaro. While a far cry in both aesthetic and driving style from the Wolf prototypes he’s raced to overall victories here, Shute was right on the four-minute mark immediately in the morning, and he only got faster as the day went on.

“This car is very different to the Wolf—we’ve got double the weight at about 3300 pounds, but we also have about double the horsepower,” Shute explained. “The aero on it is surprisingly good, so the very first qualifying sector is very fast, but we struggle a bit on the second qualifying sector where it’s very slow and a bit more technical. It’s been an adjustment, but it’s been a lot of fun, and it’s been fun to work on it from an engineering perspective as well as driving and racing it.”

Rookie Danny Aitken made a late vehicle swap for his first attempt at Pikes Peak, taking on the challenge of Layne Schranz’s well-known Chevrolet SS stock car and rewrapping it with a Talladega Nights theme. With a stuffed cougar sitting alongside him, a Fig Newtons decal on the rear windshield, and Ricky Bobby catchphrases all over the car, it’s sure to be one of the most popular rides in this year’s event.

“We were happy to get a good, clean run this morning,” Aitken admitted. “The car has more in it, I have more in me, the tires have more, we’re just building slowly. That’s all we can do, is just build. We’ve got race day to put down a heater—we don’t need to be doing it right now.”

Lew Bouchier’s journey back to Pikes Peak saw him swap out his air-cooled Porsche from his rookie run two years ago for a water-cooled 1999 GT3. While he concedes that his current air-cooled Porsche record on the mountain is likely to fall to Jeff Zwart this year, the Texan is having too much fun with his new entry to worry too much about the record books.

“Having a car like this is so incredible,” Bouchier said. “Every Porsche is improved upon, and every one you get is the best one that was ever made in the world at that time. This is my first water-cooled car—getting the power down on this thing is almost impossible, it has so much power and takes so much discipline. It doesn’t have traction control, it doesn’t have an automatic transmission, it’s just meat and potatoes and it’s glorious to drive.”

Middle Section: This year’s Pikes Peak Open lineup is so big that its competitors get their sections all to themselves on practice and qualifying days. Unsurprisingly, it was defending King of the Mountain and overall record holder Romain Dumas pacing the group in his 2025 Super Mustang Mach-E EV in their first showing on race week.

As was the case for Faggioli in qualifying, Dumas’ final pass was his best, as he posted a blistering 2:14.224. As was the case for the division in last year’s race, Jimmy Ford was second, posting a 2:32.462 on the final run. BBi Autosport teammates Loni Unser and Jeff Zwart may be running two very different Porsches, but they were closely matched at third and fourth on the day thanks to Unser’s 2:33.029 and Zwart’s 2:34.402, while rookie Patrick Culligan rounded out the top five.

Upper Section: The Time Attack 1, Exhibition, and Pikes Peak GT4 Trophy by Yokohama divisions had their turn at the top of the mountain on Tuesday, and all three division leaders were separated by just under a second.

Top among the group was GT4 leader Steve Wetterau, a veteran crew member on the mountain who trades in his spot in the pits for one in the cockpit for the first time this year. His 2:48.183 on the penultimate run of the day was more than nine seconds better than any in-division competition.

Wetterau’s closest competition for the overall fastest time of the day came from Time Attack 1 leader Robb Holland, himself a former GT4 competitor at Pikes Peak who traded in that Porsche for a 2023 GT3 Cup model. Holland’s 2:48.510 on the final run of the day bested the TA1 entries while coming closest to Wetterau.

Rounding out the division leaders at third overall was Robert Walker, who returned the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N EV to the mountain with a 2:49.171; that time came on the first run and bested the Upper Section racers overall for most of the day.

JUNE 17 RESULTS

TOMORROW ON THE MOUNTAIN:

Practice/Qualifying Day #2: Wednesday, June 18

Upper Section: Pikes Peak Open

Middle Section: Unlimited, Open Wheel

Lower Section (Qualifying):

Time Attack 1, Pikes Peak GT4 Trophy by Yokohama, Exhibition

GET READY TO TUNE IN FOR LIVE PPIHC COVERAGE ON JUNE 22

Colorado Springs, Colorado — Anticipation is growing as competitors reveal their new entries for the 103rd Running of The Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, presented by Gran Turismo. Here is how you can watch the race live and catch all of the Pikes Peak Race Day action.

Watch Pikes Peak Live presented by Mobil 1™ on the RACER Network and RACER+ streaming app, Sunday, June 22. Eight hours of live coverage on the RACER Network, plus post-race highlight episodes, will deliver the most complete and immersive Pikes Peak International Hill Climb coverage ever.

Get an exclusive 25% OFF your RACER+ subscription using the code PIKESPEAK25.

A second live viewing option for fans is through Pikes Peak Regional Attractions YouTube channel. PPRA is all about shining a spotlight on how to have fun while visiting Colorado Springs. Tune in HERE to catch the stream.

With an experienced radio broadcast team returning for 2025, listeners can catch live to flag-to-flag coverage on KRDO NewsRadio. Fans joining at home, on the go, or on the mountain will hear live commentary from the Start Line, 16 Mile, and the Summit.

Viewers will find live race timing updates throughout Race Day at PPIHC.org.

Follow along and join the conversation on our official social media channels, including live updates and finish times posted on X, @PPIHC. And don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel for Race Day onboards.

PPIHC ANNOUNCES HELLA OFFICIAL SPONSORSHIP AND TWO DRIVER AWARDS

Colorado Springs, Colorado — The Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, presented by Gran Turismo announced a new partnership with HELLA.

Pikes Peak is the ideal venue to showcase HELLA’s product line. From their involvement with the PPIHC safety team to provide lighting, to the introduction of two new competitor awards for 2025, HELLA is making their mark on America’s Mountain.

“We’re excited to welcome Hella as an official sponsor of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. We value partners like HELLA that not only understand the storytelling power of the Race to the Clouds, but also add value to the Hill Climb and support competitors, bring fans, test technology, and integrate with our operations. We’re just getting started with HELLA and look forward to a long partnership.”

Along with official sponsor and trophy presenter of the Time Attack 1 division, HELLA has revealed it will offer two cash awards, valued at $2,000 each. The HELLA Heritage Award will be given to the current competitor with the most race finishes. Additionally, the HELLA Hype Award will celebrate the car, or driver, that fans can’t stop talking about, creating the most excitement and anticipation.

“HELLA is proud to grow its partnership with the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb—an iconic event that exemplifies the spirit of innovation, performance, and endurance,” said Rob Tinson, Vice President at Hella. “As we celebrate more than 125 years of HELLA’s engineering excellence at the 103rd Running of the Race to the Clouds, we’re reminded of our deep heritage, not only in everyday mobility, but also in pushing the limits of what’s possible through motorsport.

“From lighting and electronics to braking and beyond, HELLA continues to evolve by participating in events like Pikes Peak—honoring our legacy while driving forward as a global leader in automotive technology.”

Contact:
(719) 685-4400
www.ppihc.org

GT4 and Pikes Peak Open Poised to Challenge the 156 Turns

Colorado Springs, Colorado — The 103rd Running of The Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, presented by Gran Turismo, introduces race fans to the second half of first-time auto racers in this year’s event. With 21 rookie racers in total set to ascend the mountain on June 22, meet the drivers from the GT4 Pikes Peak Trophy by Yokohama and Pikes Peak Open divisions. All have their sights set on the finish line at 14,115 feet.

GT4 PIKES PEAK TROPHY BY YOKOHAMA DIVISION

The GT4 lineup was announced later than the rest of the entry list, but that didn’t mean it was lacking in the star power department.

Leading the rookie charge is Emelia Hartford, who boasts more than 2.1 million Instagram followers and 1.72 million subscribers on YouTube. A multi-time quarter-mile world record holder, her latest record was set in December with a Nissan Z she built in less than two months.

While Tad Cusack is no stranger to Pikes Peak on two wheels, he’ll be running on four for the first time in 2025. Nearly two decades ago, Cusack raced twice in the Supermoto division, finishing second on his first attempt, behind PPIHC Hall of Famer, Greg Tracy.

Bringing Aston Martin to Pikes Peak for the first time in 2025, Steve Wetterau rounds out the GT4 rookie roster. The California native is eager to tackle the mountain, as his work with BBi Autosport has seen him deeply involved behind the scenes on many of the team’s successes over the years. Behind the wheel, he has extensive karting experience and currently competes in the BMW M2 Cup.

PIKES PEAK OPEN

Colorado’s own Scott Anderson has raced everything from the Road to Indy, where he finished on the podium in the 2015 Freedom 100, to stage rally and Red Bull Global Rallycross.

Alex Kim is well known on both two wheels and four—alongside his driving efforts in road racing, time attack, and autocross, he co-owned DNA Pro Cycling, a professional women’s cycling team, for more than a decade. When he’s not behind the wheel, he remains a devoted sponsor of women in motorsport, including Porsche Carrera Cup standout, Sabre Cook.

Kim will be joined on a two-car Rayteam effort by Emmanuel Cecchet, one of the New England area’s best-known rally drivers and a passionate supporter of those looking to get into the sport for the first time. Cecchet will drive the same car that Laszlo Keskeny took up the mountain in the team’s debut last year.

After winning last year’s NASA Southeast Super Unlimited title, Tracy Gaudu will take her next step by heading to Pikes Peak. If Gaudu’s atomic orange 2008 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 doesn’t turn enough heads for its color, it will for her pace behind the wheel—Gaudu has set records in the Pine Mountain Hillclimb several years in a row, and added multiple NASA Southeast Time Trial championships along the way.

Josh Tenge is no stranger to driving on the toughest surfaces imaginable, such as Arctikhana, a Colorado-based series that turns Georgetown Lake into multiple racing courses. His 2012 Audi TT RS is also well known at Pikes Peak with its bold color scheme and years of previous experience.

Christian Ghimbos will also campaign a 2012 Audi TT RS under the ACG Racing banner. The German-born Ghimbos competed in stage rallies throughout Europe in the late 1990s and early 2000s, and most recently scored the Touring 1 title in the US Majors Southern Conference two years ago.

With an extensive resume that includes SCCA Majors, SpeedTour, and US Vintage Racing events, Maor Primo will bring a car to match his experience in his Pikes Peak debut. The 1967 Alfa Romeo GTA-M is sure to turn heads as one of the most iconic vintage machines on the grid.

Patrick Culligan trades two wheels in the desert for four on tarmac with his Pikes Peak debut this year. Culligan raced the SCORE Baja 1000 in Pro Moto Ironman two years ago, taking third in class for his efforts.

At the end of the day on Race Day, one of these eager first-time racers will be named PPIHC Rookie of the Year.

Tune in June 22nd to find out who will claim the glory!

Photos by: Rupert Berrington, Josh Hildenbrand, Nathan Leach-Proffer, Joel Yust

By Chris Leone, PPIHC Contributor

Contact:
(719) 685-4400
www.ppihc.org

Powerful Unlimited and Popular Time Attack 1 Divisions

Colorado Springs, Colorado — The 103rd Running of The Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, presented by Gran Turismo, follows in the footsteps of recent editions with a large and impressive field of rookies. This year, the first-timers spread across four of the six divisions, with 21 racers in total set to ascend the mountain for the first time. Here’s a look at drivers in the Unlimited and Time Attack 1 divisions hoping to take the checkered flag at the summit on Race Day.

UNLIMITED DIVISION

The allure of Pikes Peak attracts some of the top hill climb drivers in the world.Diego Degasperi aims to become the latest European driver to cross the pond and go for an overall victory. The Italian has raced a mix of prototype, formula, and rally cars in similar events around the world, and comes off a successful 2024 season with multiple victories and even more podiums.

After a late switch to his entry, Danny Aitken will be bringing a familiar machine hoping to “Shake and Bake” at Pikes Peak in his first attempt. He’s taken over the 2016 Chevrolet SS that Layne Schranz raced, most recently in 2022, with a livery tribute to memorable moments from Talladega Nights.

Kyle Wilder brings an extensive history of hill climb, track day, and other road racing experience to Pikes Peak in his 2019 Chevrolet Camaro SS 1LE. Last September, he topped his class at the Virginia City Hillclimb. As an active police officer, he has also served as the West Coast organizer of Racing for ALS, in honor of his former partner, who passed away from the disease.

Green Beret Racing driver, Eli Olivas, will race for a larger purpose than himself in his debut this year. Olivas, who has 10 years of military service to his name, carries the names of his fallen comrades inscribed on his 2024 Superlite Aero GM Supercharged LT5, which has been named “The Mourning Star” in their honor.

Eric Moineau will bring the Caterham brand to Pikes Peak with a 2019 Roadsport Championship Sevens3. Moineau is a regular competitor in the Caterham single-make series in France. He has also competed in Rallye Monte-Carlo Historique, Tour de Corse Historic Rally and the Dakar Classic.

TIME ATTACK 1

After attending last year’s event and even waving the green flag on race day, Lance Fenderson will get behind the wheel this year in a 2020 BMW M2. After paralysis temporarily halted his racing career at just 19 years old, Fenderson has returned to the cockpit, with hand and breath controls, to take on the 156 turns on Pikes Peak.

Damien Bradley’s association with the Subaru Legacy goes back well over a decade, and extends to Pikes Peak for 2025. Last year, the car became the fastest closed-top vehicle to ever reach the top of the Shelsley Walsh Speed Hillclimb, the oldest racing venue in the world still contested on its original course.

Ludovic Gherardi has taken part in some of motorsport’s most iconic events, including a finish in this year’s Dakar Rally. He’ll compete at Pikes Peak for the first time with the support of Romain Dumas in a 2011 Porsche 911 GT3 RS.

Wush Racing’s Shilun Wu, who boasts extensive experience in series like Global Time Attack and Super Lap Battle, will head to the mountain for the first time in a 2012 Ford Mustang. Wu joins many of the same competitors he’s faced off against in those events.

Ernesto Ramirez holds the Global Time Attack Ascend class AWD record, which he set at Pikes Peak International Raceway last summer. Now, the Destroyer Racing Mitsubishi Evo trades in one local venue for another as it looks to ascend the mountain for the first time.

Stay Tuned! Rookies in the Pikes Peak Open and GT4 Pikes Peak Trophy by Yokohama divisions make their debut tomorrow.

Photos by: Rupert Berrington, Josh Hildenbrand, Nathan Leach-Proffer, Joel Yust

By Chris Leone, PPIHC Contributor

Contact:
(719) 685-4400
www.ppihc.org

PPIHC REVEALS WINNING POSTER ART SUBMISSION

Colorado Springs, CO — The Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, presented by Gran Turismo, is pleased to announce the winning entry for the 2025 Poster Art Contest. The theme “156 Turns to Glory” gave artists a direction as they sought to portray their vision in unique ways and styles.

“This is our third annual art contest that was started as part of our Tom Osborne Community Outreach efforts,” shared PPIHC CEO Melissa Eickhoff. “It’s one of the many activations we do to honor his contribution to the community. The theme proved popular with local artists, as we received nearly two dozen submissions, so choosing one overall winner was no easy task. We’re pleased to offer free copies of the winning poster at Fan Fest, as well as the $1,000 cash prize to the artist.”

THE WINNER – “MOUTON CLIMBER”

Tim Cribbs of Colorado Springs and his digital piece entitled “Mouton Climber”was selected as the 2025 winner. He shared, “To address this year’s theme, “156 Turns to Glory,” I put the twisting course in the foreground—weaving the course throughout the elements of the artwork, the same way drivers must weave through the track in turn.”

“My goal was to capture the raw aggression and determination of the drivers as they battle for control of both the track and their cars. No place is this more apparent than in the tight corners of Pikes Peak, where the momentum of the car comes into direct conflict with the will of the driver.

“The poster draws its color palette from the Colorado flag, drawing from its shades of blue, red, and white. I took inspiration from the action-packed ‘90s Monte Carlo Rally posters and the art of Initial D, embracing stylized motion and effects to convey movement and speed. The piece was created using a blend of cell-shaded 3D modeling but mostly hours upon hours of traditional stylus and tablet drawing.

“I chose Michèle Mouton and her Audi Quattro as my subjects, probably the most iconic car and driver combination in Pikes Peak’s long history. Her historic victory in ‘85 marked a turning point, raising the stakes and transforming the event into a truly international battle for glory.

“I was drawn to cars from an early age. There was nothing better than the emergence of an iconic combination of a car and its driver – a machine being imbued with the personality of and becoming inseparable from the legacy of its driver; Schumacher and his Ferraris, Dale’s Monte Carlo, McRae’s Impreza, and of course, Michèle’s Quattro.

“To me, the design of a car is as much an art as it’s a conduit for performance. This poster was my way of celebrating that they can be both; elegantly beautiful and able to handle the brutal competition of the climb.

“A Colorado Springs resident, I have the pleasure of seeing the majesty of Pikes Peak nearly every day. Whether it’s on the commute home or after hiking to my favorite overlook at Palmer Park, the view never gets old. Having moved to the Springs last year to work for a local Springs company, this will be my first time being able to see the Hill Climb in person after years of only ever being able to tune in online.

“Entering this contest has made the impending, long-awaited experience all the more meaningful. Allowing me to also partake in the thrill of the chase, racing against time, and testing my limits.”

You can get your own free copy of the winning poster signed by Tim Cribbs at Fan Fest on June 20 in downtown Colorado Springs. Limited quantities will be available, so stop by the PPIHC info booth early!

VOTE FOR THE PEOPLE’S CHOICE WINNER!

Starting tomorrow, May 7 at 12 PM MT, fans may vote for their favorite design from the six honorable mention posters on PPIHC Social Media.

The winning People’s Choice artist will receive a $250 award.

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