ATLANTA, GEORGIA, March 23, 2026 – Kumho Tire U.S.A., one of the world’s leading tire manufacturers, today announced four competitive racers selected for its inaugural Gaining Traction Program in collaboration with the Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, presented by Gran Turismo. Matus Huska, Earl O’Maley, Ernie Ramirez and Ben Ryan are each based in Colorado, possess five years or fewer of competitive racing experience on Pikes Peak, and have demonstrated strong growth potential through exceptional skill, passion, and a fearless approach to the unique demands of racing on America’s Mountain.

Selected Drivers for the Kumho Tire Gaining Traction Program:

• Matus Huska (Parker, CO) – Huska will compete in the Pikes Peak Open division, bringing four years of experience piloting his 2010 Audi TTS up the mountain.
• Earl O’Maley (Colorado Springs, CO) – Racing a 2015 O’Maley Special Spec V in the Open Wheel division, O’Maley steps up with three years of Pikes Peak racing experience.
• Ernie Ramirez (Aurora, CO) – Behind the wheel of his 2013 Mitsubishi Evolution, Ramirez returns to Pikes Peak for his second year in the Time Attack 1.
• Ben Ryan (Arvada, CO) – An old-school racer, Ryan will compete in a 1968 Plymouth Roadrunner in the Pikes Peak Open division, following two previous entries in the Time Attack 1 in 2023 and 2024.

“Our investment in these four talented Pikes Peak drivers goes beyond mere sponsorship; it’s about fostering the next generation of motorsport champions and helping them navigate the unique demands of this legendary race,” said Ed Cho, CEO Kumho Tire U.S.A. “Each of the selected participants demonstrates remarkable potential and a passion for racing that aligns perfectly with Kumho Tire’s spirit of innovation and performance. We look forward to seeing them leverage our most advanced, high-performance tire to achieve new milestones in their competitive careers.”

“Pikes Peak has long been a proving ground for talented drivers, and it’s exciting to see a program that invests directly in emerging competitors from Colorado,” said Melissa Eickhoff, CEO of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. “Through this partnership with Kumho Tire, these four drivers have the opportunity to grow their careers while contributing to the Colorado legacy that has defined the Race to the Clouds for more than a century.”

As part of the inaugural Gaining Traction Program, racers will receive financial support, a supply of KUMHO V730 tires, and driver development resources. Beyond the track, drivers will gain visibility through an autograph session at the Kumho Tire booth during Fan Fest in downtown Colorado Springs, connecting them directly with racing enthusiasts and media.

The KUMHO V730 tire is built to maximize grip and handling for competitive driving environments. Its mixture of ultra-high grip synthetic resins and fine carbon black featured in the racing compound provides necessary traction, while application of a high-strength carcass and optimized footprint design manages lateral cornering forces and enhances endurance and longevity. For more information on the full product lineup of Kumho Tire U.S.A., visit www.kumhotireusa.com.

BUY TICKETS

Contact:
Elizabeth Wyman
Marketing & Partnerships Manager
Elizabeth@ppihc.org
719-685-4400
www.ppihc.org

Nicole Fait
The Brand Amp
kumhopr@thebrandamp.com

Photography: Larry Chen Photo, Provided PHotos

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Colorado Springs, Colorado — With just 100 days to go until the 104th Running of The Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, presented by Gran Turismo, anticipation is building for the Race to the Clouds on June 21. This year’s theme, “The World’s Race, America’s Mountain – A Colorado Legacy,” reflects both the global reach of the competition and a historic year celebrating the 250th anniversary of the United States and Colorado’s 150th birthday.

Interest in competing remains strong, with 95 highly competitive applications received from around the world. The selection committee ultimately selected 75 drivers representing 12 countries and a range of racing disciplines.

Competitors in the accomplished field are preparing to challenge the 12.42-mile course on Pikes Peak – America’s Mountain, navigating 156 turns and climbing more than 4,700 feet to the 14,115-foot summit.

BUY TICKETS

PAST KINGS OF THE MOUNTAIN

Several Kings of the Mountain headline the 2026 field, bringing championship pedigree back to America’s Mountain.

Five-time overall winner Romain Dumas returns after finishing second overall in 2025 on the shortened course. Four-time champion Robin Shute is preparing to debut a brand-new prototype, the 2026 Sendycar V1, a car he designed and built specifically for the mountain.

They will be joined by fellow champions Simone Faggioli and Clint Vahsholtz, each aiming to add another chapter to their Pikes Peak legacy.

RETURNING DIVISION WINNERS

Several 2025 division champions are set to return to the mountain this June, looking to defend their titles against a strong field.

Returning winners include Simone Faggioli (Unlimited), Romain Dumas (Pikes Peak Open), Dan Novembre (Open Wheel), and Robb Holland (Time Attack 1).

Each will face new challengers as they attempt to repeat their success on one of the most demanding courses in motorsport.

ROOKIES READY FOR THE MOUNTAIN

Twelve rookies will make their debut on the mountain in 2026, adding fresh talent to the international field. First-time competitors include Carlos de Quesada, Catesby Jones, Billy Johnson, Nick Plocienik, Valentin Simonet, Bryan Heitkotter, Maciej Serafin, Rob Wilmoth, Joshua Briggs, Kurt Dieker, Jim Morris, and John Annunziata.

Among them, Serafin will make history as the first driver from Poland to compete in the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb.

WOMEN ON PIKES PEAK

Five women will take on the mountain in 2026. Drivers include Laura Hayes, Emelia Hartford, Tracy Gaudu, Ryan Cheek, and Kathryn Mead.

Hayes returns as the fastest woman on four wheels on Pikes Peak in the GT4 Turbo division, having set the division record in 2024 with a time of 10:20.487 behind the wheel of a Toyota Supra GT4.

FAST FACTS

There’s no shortage of storylines and milestones in the 104th Race to the Clouds.

• Beginning in 2026, the Unlimited division will feature two classes: a Production-Based Class and a Super Unlimited Class, creating new distinctions within the division that showcases the most extreme cars competing on Pikes Peak.
• Akira Kameyama returns to competition at age 70 after a remarkable 27-year absence from the event.
• Diesel performance will again be represented by Gregoire Blachon, the current Pikes Peak diesel record holder, in his 2023 Radical SR Diesel.

PPIHC Contact:
Elizabeth Wyman
Marketing & Partnerships Manager
Elizabeth@ppihc.org
719-685-4400
www.ppihc.org

Photography: Larry Chen Photo; Kevin Ferstl

The post 100 Days Out appeared first on Pikes Peak International Hill Climb.

Colorado Springs, Colorado — Entries have been selected and invitations sent for the 104th Running of The Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, presented by Gran Turismo. Competitors representing 11 countries are prepping for the 12.42 miles to the top of Pikes Peak – America’s Mountain.

An accomplished field, including 12 rookies, will challenge America’s Mountain and become part of the Race to the Clouds Colorado Legacy. Together, they help us celebrate a historic year marking the 250th anniversary of the United States and Colorado’s 150th birthday.

Five-time King of the Mountain, Romain Dumas, returns with a vengeance in the 2025 Ford Super Mustang Mach-E after finishing second overall through the shortened course in 2025. Meanwhile, Robin Shute with four King of the Mountain titles to his name comes with a brand new prototype dubbed the 2026 Sendycar V1.

VIEW THE 2026 COMPETITOR LIST

PPIHC Contact:
Elizabeth Wyman
Marketing & Partnerships Manager
Elizabeth@ppihc.org
719-685-4400
www.ppihc.org

The post 2026 Pikes Peak Hill Climb Competitors Announced appeared first on Pikes Peak International Hill Climb.

Kumho Tire Also Announced it will Sponsor the 2026 Rookie of the Year Award

Colorado Springs, Colorado – January 29, 2026– The Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, presented by Gran Turismo (PPIHC), welcomes a new partner, Kumho Tire, for the 104th Running of the Race to the Clouds. In conjunction with PPIHC, Kumho Tire announced today the Gaining Traction Program, an initiative to sponsor promising Colorado-based drivers with five years or fewer of competitive racing experience on Pikes Peak. Kumho Tire also will sponsor the 2026 Rookie of the Year award. This move reflects the company’s commitment to developing the next generation of racing talent and showcasing its high-performance tires in one of the world’s most demanding environments.

“Kumho Tire’s commitment to supporting emerging Colorado-based drivers aligns perfectly with the values and history of The Race to the Clouds,” said Melissa Eickhoff, CEO of the Pikes Peak Hill Climb. “We’re thrilled to partner with a brand that shares our passion for developing talent, fostering opportunity, and honoring the Colorado legacy that defines this race.”

As part of the Gaining Traction Program, Kumho Tire will sponsor four emerging drivers with financial, product and other support. The company will cover each driver’s entry fee, provide KUMHO V730 tires for the event, as well as resources, guidance and opportunities for driver development. Selected drivers will also be featured at an autograph session during Fan Fest.

“We believe in developing and supporting the future generation of racing and are thrilled to partner with the Pikes Peak Hill Climb,” said John Yoon, senior vice president of marketing, Kumho Tire U.S.A. “We’re not just looking for a champion; we’re looking for an athlete with the raw drive and potential to become one. By supporting a driver early in their Pikes Peak career, we can provide resources that can truly make a difference in their racing trajectory, including our high-performance KUMHO tires.”

The Kumho Tire Gaining Traction program is specifically aimed at drivers who can demonstrate exceptional skill, passion, and a fearless approach to the unique demands of racing on Pikes Peak – America’s Mountain. The competitors who are chosen will not only represent the brand during the PPIHC, but at all ancillary events associated with the event.

Eligibility requirements include a driver/team based in Colorado, as well as five or fewer years of PPIHC experience. KUMHO will select drivers who demonstrate strong growth potential based on their experience and career trajectory from the Final Entry list as selected by the PPIHC Competition Committee. Drivers may qualify for KUMHO support for multiple years.

The KUMHO V730 tire is built to maximize grip and handling for competitive driving environments. Its mixture of ultra-high grip synthetic resins and fine carbon black featured in the racing compound provides necessary traction, while application of a high strength carcass and optimized footprint design manages lateral cornering forces and enhances endurance and longevity.

PPIHC Contact:
Elizabeth Wyman
Marketing & Partnerships Manager
Elizabeth@ppihc.org
719-685-4400
www.ppihc.org

Kumho Tire Contact:
Nicole Fait
kumhopr@thebrandamp.com

The post PPIHC and Kumho Tire Announce Gaining Traction Program appeared first on Pikes Peak International Hill Climb.

RUNS THROUGH APRIL 15

Colorado Springs, Colorado — The Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, presented by Gran Turismo, is calling all artists to submit their best interpretation of the annual race theme for this year’s poster art contest.

The 2026 concept, “The World’s Race America’s Mountain – A Colorado Legacy,” features a patriotic celebration honoring both America’s 250th birthday and Colorado’s 150th birthday. Nicknamed the Centennial State, Colorado was recognized with statehood 100 years after the Declaration of Independence was signed.

Winning submissions from talented artists across the Pikes Peak Region will be featured on PPIHC’s international media platforms.

CALL FOR ENTRIES

Project Theme

The World’s Race America’s Mountain

A Colorado Legacy

Prize

Winning Artist receives $1000 cash prize + 2 VIP Race Day Tickets + 2 Invitations to VIP Reception, and will make an appearance at Fan Fest to autograph copies of their winning poster on Friday evening, June 19.

People’s Choice Winner receives $250.

Deadline for Submissions

April 15, 2026 (also known as World Art Day!)

Eligibility Requirements

• Open to all ages
• Professional, Amateur, and Student Submissions welcome
• Artists must live in, or have very strong ties to, the Pikes Peak Region.

LEARN MORE AND SUBMIT ENTRIES HERE

PREVIOUS WINNERS

Contact:
Elizabeth Wyman
Marketing & Partnerships Manager
Elizabeth@ppihc.org
719-685-4400
www.ppihc.org

The post 4th Annual PPIHC Poster Art Contest Is Open appeared first on Pikes Peak International Hill Climb.

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

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

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

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

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

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

ENTHUSIASTS FLOCK TO FAN FEST

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

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

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

GIANNA GLOWS

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

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

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

Don Wickstrum

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

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

CROWD PLEASER

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

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

FASTEST PASTOR

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

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

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

GIVING BACK

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

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

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

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

SIMPLY GRATEFUL

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

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

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

GET TO KNOW DON WICKSTRUM

Instagram: @fastestpastor

Christmas Fun Facts

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Other: PPIHC staff; BBC Top Gear/Greg Potts

ABOUT THE COLORADO SPRINGS AIRPORT

The Colorado Springs Airport provides a travel experience that prioritizes friendliness, safety, and comfort. Enjoy the speed and convenience of a small airport with options on daily nonstop flights and hundreds of connections worldwide. COS is committed to delivering exceptional service and a warm welcome to all our passengers, making your journey memorable from start to finish. For more information visit FlyCOS.com, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.­ Your adventure begins here at the Colorado Springs Airport.

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

The post BEHIND THE WHEEL – Don Wickstrum appeared first on Pikes Peak International Hill Climb.

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

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

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

FROM OPEN WHEEL TO OPEN RULEBOOKS

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

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

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

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

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

A HOT SET OF WHEELS

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

JR Hildebrand

STOCK CAR SUPERSTAR

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

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

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

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

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

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

GET TO KNOW JR HILDEBRAND

Instagram: @jrhildebrand

Fun Facts:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Other: Icon Sportswire via Getty Images, JR Hildebrand

ABOUT THE COLORADO SPRINGS AIRPORT

The Colorado Springs Airport provides a travel experience that prioritizes friendliness, safety, and comfort. Enjoy the speed and convenience of a small airport with options on daily nonstop flights and hundreds of connections worldwide. COS is committed to delivering exceptional service and a warm welcome to all our passengers, making your journey memorable from start to finish. For more information visit FlyCOS.com, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.­ Your adventure begins here at the Colorado Springs Airport.

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

The post BEHIND THE WHEEL – JR Hildebrand appeared first on Pikes Peak International Hill Climb.

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

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

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

NUTS AND BOLTS

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

ORIGINS

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

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

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

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

THE COURSE

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

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

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

Robin Shute

LEARNING CURVE

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

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

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

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

ON THE HORIZON

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

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

GET TO KNOW ROBIN SHUTE

Instagram: @robin.shute

Fun Facts:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

ON BOARD WITH ROBIN SHUTE

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

Other: PPIHC Archives, Robin Shute

ABOUT THE COLORADO SPRINGS AIRPORT

The Colorado Springs Airport provides a travel experience that prioritizes friendliness, safety, and comfort. Enjoy the speed and convenience of a small airport with options on daily nonstop flights and hundreds of connections worldwide. COS is committed to delivering exceptional service and a warm welcome to all our passengers, making your journey memorable from start to finish. For more information visit FlyCOS.com, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.­ Your adventure begins here at the Colorado Springs Airport.

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

The post BEHIND THE WHEEL – Robin Shute appeared first on Pikes Peak International Hill Climb.

OPENS TODAY

Colorado Springs, Colorado — The Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, presented by Gran Turismo, is now accepting competitor applications for the 2026 Race to the Clouds. The 104th Running roars to life on Pikes Peak – America’s Mountain on Sunday, June 21, 2026.

First contested in 1916, this invitation-only global motorsports event has lured elite competitors to challenge the 12.42-mile, 156-turn course, for more than a century. Drivers may submit a 2026 Request for Invitation through January 29, 2026.

A selection committee will vet each entry, reviewing racing resume, prior experience in hill climb racing, build specifications, and compliance with the 2026 Rule Book.

The full list of accepted competitors for the 2026 event will be announced on February 5, 2026.

APPLY NOW

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A COLORADO LEGACY

Colorado Springs, Colorado — In celebration of the 104th Running of The Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, presented by Gran Turismo, the theme for next year’s race is official!

The concept includes a patriotic flair as a salute to America’s 250th birthday. Taking place on America’s Mountain, this renowned annual event attracts top drivers, eager fans and premier media outlets from Colorado, the USA, and nations around the world.

Coinciding with the celebration of America is the 150th birthday of Colorado. Nicknamed The Centennial State, Colorado was recognized with statehood 100 years after the Declaration of Independence was signed.

Drivers calling Colorado home include Jeff Zwart, Paul Dallenbach, David Donner, Clint and Codie Vahsholtz, Robb Holland, Dan Novembre, the O’Maley brothers, and scores of others.

Recognized around the globe as the premier hill climbing event, the PPIHC is beloved by fans and drivers all over the world. Spanning more than a century, it’s a generational event for acclaimed motorsport families like the Unsers and Millens, as well as auto racing icons Michèle Mouton, Nobuhiro “Monster” Tajima, Sébastien Loeb and current course record holder, Romain Dumas.

The PPIHC is also an annual tradition for fans, race officials and volunteers. Some have been attending the Race to the Clouds for more than 50 years. Others have volunteered for generations, bringing the younger ones along in hopes they’ll maintain the custom in future years.

Anchored in Colorado as a legacy event, this race bears the vision of its founder, Spencer Penrose, who set out in 1916 to bring visitors to the Pikes Peak region. His idea was to provide a racing competition in a venue never before witnessed. In fact, he built the highway to the top of Pikes Peak and wanted everyone to enjoy this mountain and the views it offered.

But, his dream wasn’t limited to Pikes Peak, or auto racing. It expanded to include both summer and year-round events that continue to this day. His Penrose Stadium hosts the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo, polo matches and other equestrian events near his upscale hotel, The Broadmoor.

As incredibly generous philanthropists, Spencer and wife, Julie, were visionary community stewards who later invested their fortune in the well-being of people in Colorado by creating El Pomar Foundation. Their mission is to support nonprofits and government entities in the areas of arts and culture, civic and community initiatives, education, health, and human services in significant ways in the Pikes Peak region.

As celebrations roll out across the nation, join the PPIHC in saluting America, the State of Colorado, Pikes Peak – America’s Mountain, and the field of exceptional drivers who will set their sights on the 14,115′ summit of Pikes Peak on June 21.

Photos by: Larry Chen Photo – Larry Chen, Luis Garcia, Louis Yio

Others: Rayteam Automotive, El Pomar Foundation (Penrose), PPIHC Archives

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