Category: Race News

HALL OF FAME EDITION

LOUIS UNSER FIRST DRIVER INDUCTED TO PPIHC HALL OF FAME

Colorado Springs, CO – The Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, brought to you by Gran Turismo, has a long and storied history dating back to the early days of the twentieth century. Drivers and riders, race organizers, promoters, officials and ambassadors who have left their indelible mark on this iconic race have been enshrined in the Pikes Peak Hill Climb Museum Hall of Fame beginning with the inaugural group of six members in 1997.

The first driver to be inducted, notably with a racing history dating back to 1926, was Louis Unser, also known by “Uncle Louie” as he was referred to by his four nephews, Jerry, Louis J., Bobby and Al Unser, and “The Old Man of the Mountain” as it was rumored that after being told he was too old to race, at age 71, he claimed to have paid his entry fee with his Social Security check.

Unser competed for decades capturing nine King of the Mountain crowns and notching six overall course records. His accomplishments on Pikes Peak made him a legend and paved the way for the next generation in this racing family.

Before the Race Began

Full of adventure, the Unser brothers, Jerry, Louis and Joe took the first motorcycle sidecar to the summit of Pikes Peak in 2 hours, 15 minutes on September 12, 1915. At the time, the existing carriage road to the top of the mountain was being improved by Colorado Springs businessman and creator of the race, Spencer Penrose. The inaugural race would be contested the following year, during three days in August, 1916.

Roaring into the ’20s

Unser first entered a Studebaker in the Open Wheel division in 1926, but would score a DNF on his rookie run. His brother, Joe, also entered, and claimed second place. The following year, behind the wheel of a Paige, Louis would finish 4th with a time of 20:37.00. Again, Joe finished second. In 1928, Unser would drive the Graham Paige Special (pictured below) to a 5th place finish. His brother Joe bested him again, claiming second.

Joe and Louis were back in 1929, along with brother, Jerry, when Joe captured his familiar second place spot. Louis finished 5th, followed by Jerry in 6th. By the end of the 1920s, Louis Unser would shave more than a minute from his finish times, clocking a 19:34.00 in 1929. All three brothers drove cars backed by the Coleman Truck Company that year.

Thriving in the ’30s

Unser would race in the Open Wheel division every year during the 1930s with the exception of 1935 when Spencer Penrose relinquished the lease on the highway. Chevrolet took that opportunity to use the road as a proving ground for their heavy-duty trucks.

Louis would claim the overall win five times and set three course records during this decade, the first in 1934 with a time of 16:01.80.

In 1938 and 1939, Unser proved he was a force to be reckoned with when he earned back-to-back course records in 15:49.90 and 15:39.40, respectively. Unser was the first to record a time under 16 minutes.

More Success in the ’40s

In 1940, Unser entered the Indianapolis 500, but failed to qualify. Back on Pikes Peak, he would take second that same year behind rival, Al Rogers. In 1941, driving the #42 Burd Special Miller, he claimed another win and overall course record of 15:35.20.

The race was suspended from 1942 through 1945 as World War II made headlines. When auto racing returned to Pikes Peak in 1946, Unser picked up where he left off by clocking a new course record of 15:28.70. This was the first of four consecutive years that Unser would compete in a Maserati 8. Perhaps his most spectacular finish of the decade came in 1949 when he spun out just before the checkered flag, and backed across the finish line. He finished second, just 12 seconds behind Al Rogers.

Federal Engineering in the ’50s

Unser would race for Federal Engineering for seven years during the 1950s. They felt strongly about his talent and built a $32,000 race car (approximately $370,000 today) designed specifically for Pikes Peak. He raced the open wheeler for three years with podium finishes second and third before doing what most thought impossible in 1953. At the age of 57, Unser smashed his own course record, one that many believed to be unbeatable. With a time of 15:15.40 he had shaved 13 seconds from the overall mark.

It’s interesting to note that with the arrival of his nephews on Pikes Peak in the 1950s, Unser’s times remained fast, but not as fast as those of the next generation. In 1955 Louis’s time was 15:24.40, only good enough for 11th place behind Bob Finney who won in 14:27.20. Three members of the next Unser clan would best Louis in the Open Wheel division that year.

Stock Cars in the ’60s

For the first half of the decade, Unser continued to compete in the Open Wheel division. In 1966 he made a move to the Stock Car division and the Oldsmobile Toronado, which was popular at the time. Finishing in fourth place on Race Day in 15:51.70, Unser would race one more year. At the age of 71, he ended his days of competition on Pikes Peak – America’s Mountain, but not his involvement with the race.

Unser became the Official Pace Car Ambassador and driver from 1971-1974, and is pictured below with the 1971 AMC Javelin Pace Car at the Summit of Pikes Peak.

Looking to the Past

Unser and his wife, Mildred, made their home in Cascade, Colorado where they lived since the late 1940s. They could see the famous Pikes Peak Highway from their living room window. Operating a machine shop for many years in downtown Colorado Springs, Unser’s connection to the racing community remained strong as he advised fellow racers, machined parts and offered brake lining services. Michael Collins, long-time Colorado Springs resident, retired architect, and winner of the PPIHC Sports Car Group 3 Class in 1960 shared, “As a kid, I visited that shop with my dad. It wasn’t just a machine shop, they did brake work too. Louis was the magnet that drew people to that shop. Many years later, I bought that building, and if you know where to look, you can still see the old machine shop sign.”

Remembering a Remarkable Man

Louis Unser was born in Alton, Illinois in 1896. He raced 37 times on Pikes Peak, captured 9 overall wins and set six course records. He shared his huge smile and love of the event wherever he went. Unser passed away in Colorado Springs in 1979 at the age of 83. His devoted wife, Millie, died in 2002 at the age of 95 in Colorado Springs.

Photos by: PPIHC Archives, Stan DeGeer, PPIHC Staff

Contact:

Lisa Haight

Communications Manager / Historian

lisa@ppihc.org

(719) 685-4400

www.ppihc.org

CHRIS RIMMER’S SUBARU IMPREZA IMPRESSES PPIHC FANS

Colorado Springs, CO – As the New Year was celebrated atop Pikes Peak and around the globe just days ago, planning for the 102^nd Running of The Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, brought to you by Gran Turismo was already well under way. And with one week remaining until applications for the 2024 event close, competitors from near and far are gearing up for June.

Drivers have a variety of reasons for challenging the 156 turns on this iconic mountain from realizing a childhood dream, to building a family legacy, to an opportunity to push beyond their limits. Sharing the inspiration for his PPIHC racing career, Chris Rimmer, a five-time competitor in the Time Attack 1 division, recalls, “Back in the days when I was rallying in the UK, I saw the Ari Vatanen Climb Dance film, and that’s what inspired me to do Pikes Peak.”

Rally Passion

A rally competitor for four years at national and international events, Rimmer offered specifics, “I’ve raced and rallied in the US, UK, Ireland, Germany, France, Belgium, and Spain. I stopped competing in 2008, but then decided to race at Pikes Peak for the first time in 2017. It’s pretty much the only race I’ve done since. I’d certainly like to do more, when I have the time,” offered the 50 year-old driver, “since there are so many race tracks and rallies in the US I want to experience.” While he represents the UK when racing, he currently makes his home in Sag Harbor, New York.

Focused on the Finish

Rimmer entered the fray on Pikes Peak for the first time in 2017. Despite encountering patchy fog from Cove Creek to the 16 Mile marker, his smooth rookie run to the summit earned him 8th place in the Time Attack 1 division with a time of 11:21.582.

With a second top ten finish in 2018, Rimmer strapped in behind the wheel of his proven machine for the 2019 event. Unfortunately, a series of on-course delays forced many drivers to race a shortened course as weather moved over the mountain later in the day.

Post-COVID, Rimmer returned to America’s Mountain for the milestone 100th Running of the Race to the Clouds in 2022. Although competitors would run to the summit, they would do so under adverse weather conditions. Another finish in the clouds for Rimmer.

In 2023, Rimmer waited for the green flag with clear skies ahead. His goal was to clock 11 minutes. His 110mph radar speed through Halfway Picnic Grounds helped him beat his stated goal by three seconds for a personal best race time of 10:57.351.

Subaru Sound

Asked about the turbo sound that PPIHC race fans love, Rimmer exclaimed, “I don’t get to hear it properly inside the car, and I don’t know enough to explain what causes it, but I certainly get a lot of people saying they love the sound of the car. I also believe one of the race photographers does a pretty good impression of it!” Check out a throwback video to Rimmer’s first run in 2017 showcasing this fan-favorite turbo sound.

5 Runs on Pikes Peak with the #555

With five finishes notched on Pikes Peak, Rimmer explained why he has always raced his 2007 Subaru Impreza in the TA1 division up the 12.42 mile course. “My passion was rallying. I was competing in the late 1990s in the UK when Subaru became an iconic rallying brand. This car was built specifically for the Nürburgring 24hr, which it finished multiple times. We changed the turbo and mapping and it made an ideal car to use for PPIHC. It may be one of the only cars in the world to complete the 24hr and PPIHC multiple times.”

Asked about the significance of his 555 race number, Rimmer pointed out, “555 was the long-time sponsor of the Subaru World Rally team, so it seemed fitting as a race number on a Subaru.”

GET TO KNOW CHRIS RIMMER

Three Things For Fans To Know:

“I was very lucky to grow up boating in Ibiza, it’s my passion and my job. I studied yacht design and construction at college, then crewed on super yachts before getting into sales. It’s enabled me to live in various countries, and spend lots of time on the water. My pride and joy is a 1973 wooden Riva, which is a classic Italian boat.”

“My favorite book is The Art of Racing in the Rain. I was a huge Ayrton Senna fan, watching the Grand Prix every Sunday.”

“When I moved to America I rescued a dog who was already named Enzo!”

Pikes Peak heroes? “Ari Vatanen and Sébastien Loeb”

Most challenging section: “The top section because the bumps are throwing the car all over the place. You’ve nearly made it to the top, so you don’t want to throw it all away, but you’re still pushing for a good time. It’s a fine balance.”

Favorite section: “The lower section, because it’s so fast and flowing.”

If you could run any car on Pikes Peak, what would it be? “Sébastien Loeb’s Peugeot 208 T16“

Advice for a PPIHC Rookie: “Take some time to appreciate what a spectacular location and special event this is.”

What keeps you coming back? “The dream of the perfect run with no mistakes, and clear blue skies. The road is so much fun to drive, as well as challenging. I get to hang out with great friends for a week, and have a good laugh. I’ve done some pretty cool racing like Rally GB, Nürburgring 24hr, but PPIHC is such a unique event – it’s very special.”

CHRIS RIMMER CELEBRATES PERSONAL BEST TIME

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

Contact:

Lisa Haight

Communications Manager / Historian

lisa@ppihc.org

(719) 685-4400

www.ppihc.org

GARDNER NICHOLS PUSHES 7,000 LB RIVIAN BEAST TO THE SUMMIT OF PIKES PEAK – AMERICA’S MOUNTAIN

Colorado Springs, CO – Electric vehicles are a familiar sight on the 12.42 mile course during The Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, brought to you by Gran Turismo. Since the first EV challenged the mountain in 1981 with Joe Ball driving the Sears XDH-1, a modified 1977 Fiat 128 3P “Berlinetta” converted by Globe Union to promote the Sears DieHard 12V EV Battery, technology has evolved and finish times have plummeted. Ball’s run in 1981 was clocked at 32:07.42. Compared to today’s overall course record set in 2018 by Romain Dumas in the all-electric Volkswagen I.D. R, a blazing 07:57.148, the numbers speak for themselves.

A handful of electric-powered trucks have raced through the 156 turns on America’s Mountain, but none, until 2023, were production vehicles available to the public. Gardner Nichols set out to prove that his entry, a production model 2018 Rivian R1T electric pickup truck was capable of not only reaching the summit but doing so with an impressive time.

First Pikes Peak Memory

“Racing in the PPIHC has been a lifelong dream of mine. In 2009, I was 15 years old and spectating at the race with my dad. After an early morning practice session, I met Paul Dallenbach. That meeting would ultimately launch my career in the auto industry and give me a taste of racing on Pikes Peak. In 2010, I was a 16-year-old apprentice crew member working on Dallenbach’s team and would introduce myself to everyone I met as ‘an aspiring driver’,” recalled Nichols. “I became good friends with Matt Trainham, the lead engineer for that team, and we kept in touch over the years. Then, three years ago he hired me at Rivian as an engineer and test driver. It was definitely a full-circle moment!”

PPIHC Proven

Since Nichols was pursuing a production vehicle record, entered in the Exhibition division in the 101st Running of the Race to the Clouds, the truck was essentially stock aside from his upgraded DOT Pirelli tires and different brake pads. His R1T put down 835hp via a quad motor system (one electric motor per wheel) controlled by hydraulic cross-linked adaptive dampers.

“I was really eager to showcase the broad capabilities of the Rivian. This exact truck has driven across the country multiple times, has taken me off-roading, camping, skiing, mountain biking and more,” explained Nichols. “It’s not a new truck, which makes it that much more amazing to do what it did on Pikes Peak!”

The livery design was a creative outlet for Nichols. He shared, “I chose to keep it simple with large color blocking that reflected Rivian’s color palette as well as representing my work history on previous race teams.”

Taming a Beast

Sharing his perspective on his race day run, Nichols recalled, “As I entered ‘the Ws’, the steep switchback section in the middle of the course, I glanced at my HV battery temperature and saw a much higher number than I was expecting. Like all production electric vehicles, the Rivian has a max battery temperature where motor torque output drops to zero in order to save the hardware. My margin to that max temperature was smaller than I was anticipating so early in the run. I knew if I kept my current pace, the battery would get too hot and the truck would shut down, so I knew I had to change my driving style to suit the situation. For the rest of the run, I had to be extremely thoughtful about when to go full throttle.”

“This took every ounce of self-control because I know the pace is there, but it was a hot, sunny day and we were climbing a mile in elevation with a 7,000lb race vehicle at a blistering pace which required a lot of energy. I kept a close eye on the HV battery temps and tried to push it on the higher speed sections of the course. It turns out that my monitoring the temp gauges paid off. I crossed the finish line with a 0.2 degree margin to the maximum HV battery temperature. I really wasn’t expecting that close a margin!”

Rivian Record

On June 25, 2023, Nichols’ dream came true, not only to compete in the Race to the Clouds, but to set a record during his rookie attempt on the legendary course. When asked who helped him get to Pikes Peak this year, Nichols exclaimed, “My wife! She has been endlessly supportive of my passion. Anyone who has run Pikes Peak can attest to the amount of time and attention it takes to prepare. Also, the Pirelli team and a few of my mentors were the catalysts in making this effort a reality. Without the help of some auto industry friends, this effort wouldn’t have gotten off the ground.”

Record – Electric Production Truck/Van, 2023 – Rivian R1T – 11:23.983

GET TO KNOW GARDNER NICHOLS

Three Things For Fans To Know:

“I love good food, cooking and great coffee. Cooking and food were really important ingredients in my upbringing! I love making my own pasta.”   

“I’ve always been passionate about photography. It started when my cousin showed me how to light-paint when I was about 12 years old. I travel a lot for work so I try to capture my adventures between my phone and my mirrorless camera.” 

“I learned to ski when I was about 2 years old. Now, I’m learning to surf since I recently moved to SoCal!”

Pikes Peak heroes? “Paul Dallenbach has been a great lifelong mentor of mine, and more recently, David Donohue as well. I still think Romain Dumas’ achievements at Pikes Peak are epic. Finally, Jeff Zwart’s storytelling ability for all things Pikes Peak has always been inspirational.”

Favorite section: “I really like the section from the Start Line to Brown Bush. It’s fast, flowing and I get into a fun rhythm.”

Most challenging section: “The top section, particularly from Bottomless Pit to Boulder Park. It’s bumpy (even in a pickup truck!), high speed and has very few reference points for a driver.”

Significance of your race number: “December 21st happens to be my birthday, so 21!”

Biggest accomplishment in racing: “I’d say my range of experience is an accomplishment. I started in go karts around age 12, competed in autocross and time attack competitions, got back into shifter karts, and then club racing in college. Since then I’ve started running in some endurance racing events.”

“My professional career has focused on vehicle dynamics and test driving. I’ve logged thousands of hours in a wide range of cars driving on various proving grounds all over the world.”

Share a special race day memory: “When all the drivers and crew sang The Star-Spangled Banner together during the drivers meeting, it definitely added to the great memories of my first Pikes Peak campaign!”

Any news since setting the PPIHC record? “I got to spend some time driving in sand dunes, off roading and recently got back from a winter test trip in Alaska. I’ve also been busy putting some campaigns together for various events next year which I’m really excited to share soon!”

Gardner Nichols Talks Temps, Tires and Truck Weight

Photos by: Larry Chen, Luis Garcia, Jason Zindroski, Charles Zhao, Rob Miskowitch

Contact:

Lisa Haight

Communications Manager / Historian

lisa@ppihc.org

(719) 685-4400

www.ppihc.org

DAVID HACKL SPENDS A DECADE PURSUING PPIHC DREAM

Colorado Springs, CO – Since 1982 when John Buffum made the first run up Pikes Peak – America’s Mountain in an Audi Quattro, the marque has gained a massive following. Racing legends Michѐle Mouton, Bobby Unser and Walter Röhrl have each etched a course record on Pikes Peak – America’s Mountain driving the popular Quattro.

In 2023, for the tenth time, David Hackl of Arvada, Colorado, entered his 1983 Audi Quattro in The Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, brought to you by Gran Turismo. Hackl had his sights set on proving his Audi has what it takes to beat the Quattro time set by Röhrl in 1987 – 10:47.85, which, at the time, was a course record. However in 2018, David Rowe shaved four seconds off that time in his own Quattro, giving Hackl a new mark to shoot for – 10:43.960.

Quattro By the Numbers

1983 Audi Quattro

All Wheel Drive

Audi 2.5L Turbo

99.5in Wheelbase

2,733lbs

PPIHC Proven

In 2012, Hackl first strapped in behind the wheel of his Quattro to challenge the 12.42 mile course in the Time Attack division but had to settle for a shortened course finish.

The following year he experienced all 156 turns as he crossed the finish line in 12:33.304 in a downpour.

As the 100th Anniversary of the first Race to the Clouds approached, Hackl was prepared, but the mountain decided a finish was not to be and he experienced his only DNF.

Redemption in 2017 saw Hackl once again at the summit with a time of 11:46.784, in the Time Attack division, an impressive gain of nearly 45 seconds.

Thirty seconds would drop from his overall clocking in 2018 for a finish time of 11:14.919.

The second shortened course finish would take place in 2019, with a third in 2021. Sandwiched between was 2020, the year of the pandemic, was a sixth place division finish for Hackl and another four second improvement on his time.

First Alcon Brakes No Holding Back Award Winner

“In 2021 we were the recipient of the Alcon Brakes No Holding Back award,” shared Hackl, recalling the 2021 award ceremony and receiving the product voucher from PPIHC Registrar and Board Member, Marla Wiseman. “It was a complete surprise and incredibly moving to receive this recognition from Alcon. An entirely new custom braking system package was modeled and built for our 1983 Audi Quattro by Alcon and the team at ProSystems. They all worked tirelessly to make this one-off custom package for our special car, and the control and confidence these brakes provide has been a game changer.”

Hackl entered the milestone 100th Running in 2022 but the excitement of seeing records set would have to wait as thick fog and cold, damp conditions plagued competitors. He finished 9th in Time Attack 1 in 11:44.109.

Switching to the Pikes Peak Open division in 2023, Hackl returned in the crowd pleasing Quattro and clocked his best time to date, 11:02.742, an 8th place finish.

Hackl’s dedication to the sport, to safe driving and to the Quattro, shows in the work he does beyond the race track. He is a founding member of Gruppe-Q.com, a premier core group of rally, race and performance drivers, instructors and professionals dedicated to the art, science and skill sets required for driving in adverse conditions. The Steamboat Winter Driving Ice Facility and Georgetown Lake, both located in Colorado, have been training grounds for many years for this popular curriculum.

As founder and acting president of QClubNorthAmerica, QClubNA.com, a 501(c)(3) organization established in 2007, Hackl explains, “We exist to offer vehicle owners, enthusiasts, corporate participants, and the public the opportunity to enjoy educational driving events and technical driving seminars around the country.”

Hackl’s effort to preserve history and showcase this legendary race car on one of the mountains that made it famous is remarkable. We’re looking forward to the next chapter of Audi on Pikes Peak.

GET TO KNOW DAVID HACKL

Three Things For Fans To Know:

“I grew up in Glenview, Illinois, but I have a lot of family in Bavaria – 64 second cousins to be more precise. Growing up in an American household in a 1st and 2nd generation family from Germany was really a wonderful upbringing. Lots of potato salad, beer, dancing and laughing, just enjoying life to its fullest. I got my first pair of lederhosen at age five!”

“My first job was as a lifeguard at age 13. I made $2.35 an hour!”

“I play piano, guitar and bass. The first band I was in, we named Kung Pao Kitty.”

Pikes Peak heroes? “Walter Röhrl, Michѐle Mouton, and our late hero Bobby Unser.”

Favorite section: “Brown Bush – when you hit that turn right it sets you up for the next major set of complexities, all the way to Glen Cove.”

Most challenging section: “The upper section…you can always push the limits to go faster but, there is potential price to pay if it goes wrong.”

Advice for a rookie racer on Pikes Peak?

“Layne Schranz said to me my first year in 2012, ‘Drive the road you know.’ I have passed this on to many others in years since. You don’t show up at Pikes Peak and ‘know’ the mountain. You have to study it, drive it, and build into it. The conditions change minute to minute, turn to turn, and is unlike any other venue you may have driven. Take your time. It isn’t so much a race as a journey. If you think you will make it and set new blazing times the first year, take a deep breath. Countless examples lay before us in carnage of cars and dreams. It is an evolution to try and master this mountain and most often the mountain replies back with a ‘No’.”

Good Luck Charms or Pre-Race Traditions?

“My wife Margaret gave me a lucky Irish thimble to carry in my pocket which is always with me at Pikes Peak. We also have some traditions with the team always having our own fresh coffee brewing, chocolate doughnuts (my weakness!) and fresh Bavarian pretzels on hand during race week.”

Daily driver?

“Tough question but for winter it is an ’83 Audi Ur-Quattro for our ice driving events, a 1979 Tucker Sno-Cat to plow snow, and a Q5 diesel or an S4 to get around. Summer and fall might be a 911 or 930 on occasion.”

Favorite Track: “Nürburgring, an incredibly challenging experience for my first time there. In 1998, I made the annual visit to see family in Bavaria. I’d printed out all the turns and put them in a 3-ring binder. I convinced my cousin Mickey to ride shotgun and navigate in the Volvo S40 rental. We arrived super early and it was fogged in. Dozens of motorcyclists in full leathers were sitting there drinking espressos and smoking cigarettes. Race cars filled the parking lot waiting for the gate to open. The first turn was a free-for-all with bikes diving to the inside, getting passed by a husband and wife (with two kids in car seats) in a Passat wagon at 210 km/h.  A few minutes later we passed a flipped over M3 with the driver standing outside in his shirt and tie, just taking a few laps before work most likely! It was surreal!”

David Hackl’s 2023 Post-Race Interview

Photos by: Larry Chen, Revvolution.com, Jason Zindroski, Louis Yio, PPIHC Archives.

Contact:

Lisa Haight

Communications Manager / Historian

lisa@ppihc.org

(719) 685-4400

www.ppihc.org

“TEXAS DAVE” CARAPETYAN REUNITES WITH PIKES PEAK

Colorado Springs, CO – In 2023, The Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, brought to you by Gran Turismo, saw the return of veteran competitor, Dave Carapetyan, or “Texas Dave” as he is known in racing circles. Carapetyan was eager to share his thoughts about how it all came to pass. “I had taken a decade away from racing on Pikes Peak to build our Rally Ready Driving School in Texas but, in 2021, I came back to the mountain with my friend Bucky Lasek to spectate and see old friends. That was a reminder of how tight a group of friends I have and what a special community there is at Pikes Peak. When I heard Melissa Eickhoff, somebody I admire very much, was joining as Executive Director it felt like the right time to come back and be part of the next chapter in the evolution of this race. The fact that Cole (Powelson) happened to have a 500hp SIERRA Alpha he was willing to rent me helped make the decision much easier!”

Rally Enthusiast

A 17-year old Pikes Peak rookie in 2005, Carapetyan entered the Rally/Production GT division, his third rally ever, in the inaugural Rally America National Championship. Pikes Peak was the fourth race in the series. While Carapetyan finished the stage in his 1998 Acura Integra in the Production GT division, Tanner Foust, the only non-rookie in the group, along with co-driver Scott Crouch, took the win. Carapetyan was in good company on the mountain as another promising rookie driver, Ken Block, got his first taste of competition on Pikes Peak in the Rally Group N division the same year.

Get a Grip

During the multi-year highway paving project, drivers often had difficulty selecting tires that would meet the needs of a dual-surface course. Carapetyan gave this illustration, “In 2009, Marcus Gronholm and Michelin came to try and break the record in a modified rallycross Fiesta. One of the Michelin engineers came over to me after a practice run and said, ‘Which tires are these? They say Michelin but I do not know these tires,’ to which I explained that we were running a P2C Michelin GT3 rain tire and spraying the tires with windshield wiper sprayers to keep them from overheating. He looked astonished at our “budget” solution. On race day he ran to find me and show me that they had cut their tires to match because they couldn’t get our tires in time. Tires were always a sacrifice, but I preferred a car that had grip on gravel and moved around a bit on the pavement. That’s a much easier car to drive than something with grip on asphalt, that ends up being like driving on ice if you’re sitting on top of the marbles on the gravel.”

Carapetyan would strap in behind the wheel to challenge Pikes Peak ten times between 2005 and 2015. He saw the most success in 2008, 2009 and 2010 (pictured) when he took home three consecutive Pikes Peak Open division champion titles.

Lesson Learned

In 2011, Carapetyan moved to the Unlimited division, where he didn’t enjoy the same success, recording his first DNF. He recalled, “That was a year we decided to go for it and build our Evo for Unlimited division. Unfortunately, some of our sponsorship dried up a month before the race and we ended up with a half-finished car that kept blowing up head gaskets on the dyno. My goal was to make one big push on the last year of dirt, and the car lasted until the last dirt corner and then popped a motor. I learned more that year than in any other single race of my life. Most importantly, when to know you’re beat.”

Never Back Down

“The following year, 2012, we had some similar issues in a Subaru we entered, and I decided to learn my lesson and withdraw to focus on helping our other two cars make the summit. In 2013, we had a strong run but lost power two miles from the finish and just barely finished.” Carapetyan claimed 7th in the Unlimited division, with a time of 10:28.315.

The team experienced similar issues in 2014 and, unfortunately, couldn’t make it past Ski Area.

Rally Ready Dream to Reality

In 2004, Carapetyan traveled the country entering rallies and learning all he could about the sport. Mile after mile, he noted the best turns, jumps and tree-lined terrain and began designing and planning a facility that would encompass the best of it.

Carapetyan and his team began coaching drivers in rally techniques in 2012, and the Rally Ready Driving School became a reality when the team moved into their permanent home on the Rally Ranch in 2015. The ranch is a 140 acre playground for enthusiasts, just fifteen minutes from Circuit of the Americas in Austin and is notable as the home of rally racing in Texas offering everything from wide open pastures for consequence-free beginner lessons to narrow tree-lined rally stages with jumps, crests and blind corners.

Back on the Mountain in 2023

Carapetyan shared something he loves about Pikes Peak. “The fans, whether they know who you are or not, just want to see you finish, go for a personal best and have the best time ever.”

He claimed third in the Open Wheel division, and an impressive 15th overall, with his time of 10:04.665. His goal of a sub-10-minute finish is within reach. We’ll have to wait and see if a return to America’s Mountain is in the works.

GET TO KNOW “TEXAS DAVE”

Three Things For Fans To Know:

“I grew up singing in a skate punk band called The Snobs.”

“Through our dog rescue, Rally Rescue, we’ve rehabilitated and rehomed over 150 stray dogs from around Dale, TX, where our rally school is located.”

“I used to have a Dr Pepper addiction. I wouldn’t drink it for four months before race day, then I’d pack it in the trunk of the race car and drink one at the summit.”

Pikes Peak heroes? “The number of people I consider heroes is endless, but most of them for who they are off the mountain and out of the race car. Cole Powelson is an amazing friend who has taught me much about shutting the (bleep) up and listening. Savannah and Val Ivanitski are a hero-couple I adore. Phil Layton taught me a lot about what servant leadership looks like by putting the needs of the many over the wishes of the few. Andrew Hawkeswood and his family have become family that we travel as often as possible to visit in New Zealand.”

Significance of your race number: “I’ve run 959 on Pikes Peak as my goal to break 10 minutes.”

Favorite section: “I absolutely love Engineers up through Ski Area. The rhythm of getting the exit right and carrying commitment into Picnic Grounds followed by hugging the inside along the guardrail and chucking into the first hairpin at Brown Bush, it’s just such a fun series of corners, and it’s where it feels like the real challenge starts.”

Most challenging section: “The entire top section is brutal. Once you’ve made it through the W’s, you can taste the finish. Above the treeline the corners are all incredibly fast, and several of them look very similar. The commitment is unreal, and it’s hard to push as hard because you want to be conservative and just make it to the finish. It’s historically where I lose the most time, not because I’m afraid to commit to the speed, but because of my PTSD from breaking the car so many times within a mile or two of the finish.”

If you could race anything up the mountain, what would it be?

“It would probably be 4WD. It would be loud. It would be slow, in a conventional sense, but it would be just plain fun to drive. At this phase in life my identity isn’t tied to my results I really just love driving up the mountain with my friends, and seeing if I can beat my personal best. Although I think I would also love driving my 2006 Chevy Colorado

rally truck on a set of General Grabber ATX all terrains for the pure comedy of it!”

Favorite Track: “You know, I haven’t spent as much time on tracks as most of my friends, but I am fortunate enough to have seven miles of rally, off-road, and rallycross tracks in my front yard at The Rally Ranch, and given that I’ve built every inch of them with all the love of everyone on our team, they’re a bit more special to me than anywhere else.”

Texas Dave takes fans through his 2023 Race to the Clouds

Photos by: Larry Chen, Charles Zhao, Rob Miskowitch, Scott Paine, Nick Cress, Dave Carapetyan/Rally Ready, PPIHC Archives.

Contact:

Lisa Haight

Communications Manager / Historian

lisa@ppihc.org

(719) 685-4400

www.ppihc.org