AWARDS CEREMONY HONORS BEST OF 104TH RUNNING OF RACE TO THE CLOUDS
Competitors, teams, and partners gathered Monday, June 22, at the Norris Penrose Event Center in Colorado Springs for The Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, presented by Gran Turismo, Awards Ceremony Breakfast, sponsored by B.R.M Chronographes, to celebrate the achievements of the 104th Running of the Race to the Clouds.
Pikes Peak Hill Climb CEO Melissa Eickhoff welcomed guests before reflecting on a memorable Race Day. Eickhoff noted that Mother Nature made up for last year’s wind-shortened event by delivering favorable conditions that allowed competitors to tackle the full 12.42-mile course to the summit of Pikes Peak – America’s Mountain.
Several special awards were presented during the ceremony, recognizing outstanding performances, perseverance and fan engagement throughout the 104th Running of the Race to the Clouds.
Bergmeister Award
The Bergmeister Award, presented annually by Porsche Colorado Springs and former PPIHC Chairman Fred Veitch, recognizes the fastest Porsche competitor on the mountain. Along with the trophy, the recipient selects a charitable organization to receive a $1,000 donation in their name.
This year’s Bergmeister Award was presented to rookie Billy Johnson, who recorded the fastest time among Porsche competitors with a 9:12.723 in his Prosche GT3 Turbo Cup “LUCY.”
BE ALL YOU CAN BE AWARD
Presented for the third consecutive year by the U.S. Army’s 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne), the Be All You Can Be Award recognizes determination, perseverance and the ability to overcome adversity.
Major Matthew Linarelli presented the 2026 award to Kash Singh. During the presentation, Linarelli recounted Singh’s Race Week journey after a blown engine sidelined the team early in competition. Refusing to quit, the team sourced a replacement engine, worked through multiple sleepless nights and overcame additional mechanical challenges to return the car to competition by Race Day.
HELLA HYPE AWARD
New for 2026, HELLA expanded its support of the event with the introduction of the HELLA Fast 15 and brought back the HELLA Hype Awards.
Prior to Race Day, fans were invited to vote on social media for competitors whose stories, personalities and performances generated excitement throughout Race Week. Each recipient received a $1,000 cash prize.
Representing HELLA from aftermarketREADY was Rob Tinson and President of HELLA US, Mike Dewitt, presented the awards to Tracy Gaudu and Jeremy Lowder, two competitors who earned strong support from fans both on and off the mountain.
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR AWARD
Presented by Kumho Tire, the Rookie of the Year Award recognizes the fastest first-time competitor in the field.
Jeremy Dales of Kumho Tire presented the award to Billy Johnson, who delivered an impressive debut performance during his first appearance at the Race to the Clouds. Johnson emerged as the fastest rookie among the 15 first-time competitors, adding Rookie of the Year honors to an already successful week on America’s Mountain.
NEW RECORDS
FASTEST WOMAN ON FOUR WHEELS
Emelia Hartford became the fastest woman on four wheels in PPIHC history, piloting her 2026 Chevrolet Corvette to a time of 10:11.018.
PRODUCTION CAR RECORD
David Donner set a new Production Car record in his 2022 Porsche Turbo S with a time of 9:53.740, breaking the previous record established in 2023.
REAR-WHEEL-DRIVE RECORD
Robin Shute established a new rear-wheel-drive record in the Sendycar V1 with a time of 8:29.497, eclipsing the previous mark set in 2018.
FRONT-WHEEL-DRIVE RECORD
Rookie Jim Morris claimed the front-wheel-drive record in his Volkswagen Golf with a time of 10:33.104, just moments after Daijiro Yoshihara had briefly lowered the previous mark in his Acura Integra Type S.
Following the presentation of special awards, the top three finishers in each division were invited to the stage to receive their trophies, handcrafted by Glassical Designs, and the top finisher in each division received a special edition B.R.M Chronographes watch.
PIKES PEAK OPEN, PRESENTED BY OLSON PLUMBING & HEATING
Rookie Billy Johnson claimed the top spot in the Pikes Peak Open division in his 2015 Porsche GT3 Turbo Cup “LUCY.” Jimmy Ford followed in second aboard his 2017 Ford Mustang, while rookie Valentin Simonet completed the podium in a 2015 Renault RS 01.
TIME ATTACK 1, PRESENTED BY MOBIL 1
JR Hildebrand led the Time Attack 1 podium with a time of 9:30.104 in his 2026 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X, establishing a new Hybrid Production car record in the process. Jeff Zwart claimed second in a 2019 Porsche GT2 RS Clubsport and David Donner third in a 2022 Porsche Turbo S.
OPEN WHEEL, PRESENTED BY THE MUSEUM OF AMERICAN SPEED
Colorado Springs native Dan Novembre earned the Open Wheel victory—and set a new division record—in his 2013 Wolf GB08S TC Special. Woodland Park’s Codie Vahsholtz placed second in a 2013 Ford Open, while Mirl Swan rounded out the podium in a 2006 Swift 016 Formula Atlantic.
PIKES PEAK GT4 TROPHY BY YOKOHAMA
Laura Hayes continued her success on America’s Mountain by winning the GT4 Turbo class and setting a new class record in her 2022 Toyota Supra GT4 EVO2. Rookie Catesby Jones earned second, while teammate Carlos de Quesada completed the podium in matching 2025 BMW M4 GT4 EVO entries.
In the GT4 Naturally Aspirated class, Clint Vahsholtz, making his 32nd appearance in the race, captured the class victory in his 2022 Porsche GT4, marking the 25th division win of his Pikes Peak career. Tad Cusack finished second in a 2024 Porsche 718 GT4 RS Clubsport.
UNLIMITED – PRODUCTION BASED, PRESENTED BY PIKES PEAK – AMERICA’S MOUNTAIN
Overall winner and six-time King of the Mountain Romain Dumas also topped the Unlimited – Production Based class in the electric Ford Super Mustang Mach-E. Tom Tang finished second in his BMW E46 M3, while Cole Powelson completed the podium in the Stryker RXX.
UNLIMITED – SUPER UNLIMITED, PRESENTED BY UCHEALTH
In Unlimited – Super Unlimited, Robin Shute claimed the class victory and established a new rear-wheel-drive record in the Sendycar V1. Defending King of the Mountain Simone Faggioli finished second in his Nova Proto NP01 ATM Bardahl, followed by fellow Italian Diego Degasperi in his Nova Proto NP01 Bardahl.
EXHIBITION – ULTRA4 USA
The return of Ultra4 USA competition to Pikes Peak was celebrated as Loren Healy claimed the exhibition victory in his 2021 Ford Bronco. Paul Wolff finished second in the 2018 UFO 4400 Truck, while Casey Currie completed the podium in his 2025 Jeep Gladiator.
KING OF THE MOUNTAIN
As the overall winner of the Race to the Clouds, Romain Dumas received the coveted King of the Mountain Trophy and the B.R.M Chronographes winner’s watch. Dumas was also presented with the Unser Legacy King of the Mountain Ring by Museum of American Speed Curator Tim Matthews. The ring, provided by the Museum of American Speed in partnership with Jostens, commemorates Dumas’ sixth King of the Mountain title on Pikes Peak – America’s Mountain.
Photos: Larry Chen Photo, Jason Zindroski
