PPIHC Celebrates Colorado Day

PPIHC
August 1, 2024

PPIHC CELEBRATES OUR 2024 COLORADO COMPETITORS

Colorado Springs, Colorado — The Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, brought to you by Gran Turismo, has been contested on America’s Mountain since 1916, and drivers from Colorado have always been a part of the action.

In honor of Colorado Day, celebrated on August 1 to recognize the day Colorado became the 38th state in 1876, we are shining the spotlight on competitors from the Centennial State.

New Division, Familiar Faces

Robb Holland, an eight-year PPIHC competitor, racing out of Denver, Colorado, entered the inaugural Pikes Peak GT4 Trophy by Yokohama division. He successfully navigated the mountain’s 156 turns in his #99 2023 Porsche 718 GT4 RD Clubsport in 10:56.880, finishing second in the normally aspirated class.

“My favorite thing about Colorado is the mountains. I’ve always been a huge fan of mountains and Colorado has got some of the best in the world. It’s what made me move here in the first place. The fact that I get to drive up one of them at a high rate of speed is just a bonus.”

Englewood, Colorado’s Chris Becker competed in his sixth PPIHC. Becker competed in the new Pikes Peak GT4 Trophy by Yokohama division, finishing third in the normally aspirated class in the sole Ford entry. His 2024 Ford Mustang GT4 (S650) finished in 11:06.202, his best time ever on the 12.42-mile course.

“The most ‘Colorado’ thing I like to do is driving in the snow!”

Father and Son

Dan Aweida, of Boulder, Colorado competed for the 9th time on Pikes Peak, alongside his son, Trevor. Dan raced his #66 2012 Ford Mustang BOSS to a 5th place division finish in the Pikes Peak Open division clocking a personal best time of 10:48.870.

Trevor Aweida made his fourth appearance on America’s Mountain. Like his father, he competed in the Pikes Peak Open division. He finished in fourth place, just edging out his father, with his own personal best time of 10:48.402. Trevor’s #117 Audi was popular with car enthusiasts.

Four Fast 15 Qualifiers

Racing out of Georgetown, Colorado, Jimmy Ford, a second generation PPIHC competitor, piloted a new entry this year. In a switch from his John Wells-built, Leonard Vahsholtz-winning, 1994 Ford Bronco, his entry for the past year two years, Jimmy strapped in to a 2017 Ford Mustang. The entry, owned by former PPIHC Stock Car champion, Joel Newcomer, ran in the Pikes Peak Open division. Jimmy claimed second place in the division behind PPIHC icon, Romain Dumas. His impressive clocking of 09:40.660 was his first sub-10-minute finish on the mountain, a personal best time, and enough to land him among the top 10 finishers overall. He also earned his spot among the elite Fast 15 qualifiers for the second consecutive year.

Competing on Pikes Peak for the sixteenth time, Colorado Springs-based Dan Novembre was running strong in the Unlimited division, after qualifying in the Fast 15 for the fourth consecutive year, when he suffered his first ever mechanical failure. His Wolf GB08S TC Special remained parked near Devils Playground for the remainder of the race. Always a strong contender, Novembre’s best time was 09:27.611 in 2023 in the same car, landing him in second place last year.

In a driver switch for 2024, the #72 Mitsubishi Evo X, formerly driven by Derek Boyd, was piloted by experienced racer, and former Boyd crew member, Dominick Tapia of Colorado Springs. Although Tapia was a Pikes Peak rookie, he laid down a great qualifying time to place him among the Fast 15 qualifiers. His impressive finish time of 10:20.479 placed him 13th overall, and 5th in the Unlimited division.

Third-generation PPIHC competitor, Codie Vahsholtz, of Woodland Park, Colorado, and son and grandson of PPIHC Hall of Famers, Clint, Leonard and Barb Vahsholtz, challenged the mountain for the 13th time. He raced from 2011 through 2019 in the motorcycle division, then switched to the 2013 Ford Open in 2021. Vahsholtz has earned his spot every year as one of the Fast 15. He currently holds the Open Wheel division record of 09:19.192. Vahsholtz suffered his first DNF when a brake line failure sidelined him near Ski Area.

Denver Area

Scott Crouch makes his home in Boulder, Colorado and has raced for more than a decade on Pikes Peak with 2024 marking his 14th appearance. He has raced 12 solo events, and two as a co-driver for Tanner Foust. This year, his Time Attack 1 entry, a 2014 Subaru WRX, reached the summit in 10:46.133, good enough for fourth in his division and a new personal record. “The most ‘Colorado’ thing about Colorado…Subarus!”

David Hackl of Arvada, Colorado, steered his fan-favorite 1983 Audi Quattro to the summit in 11:28.198 for 8th place in the Pikes Peak Open division. It was his 11th year of competition in the Race to the Clouds.

“My favorite thing about Colorado is that every day of the year there is something for everyone. All seasons, all terrain, and some of the nicest people in the world.”

Also running out of Arvada is Ben Ryan. Ryan raced on the mountain for the first time in 2023’s Time Attack 1 division in a 2006 Mini Cooper S. He entered a 2013 Audi TTRS in the same division this year, shaving well over a minute from his previous time. Ryan finished in 11:51.124, placing ninth in the division.

“Telluride is definitely my favorite place in Colorado, offering some of the most amazing views you will ever see. It’s such a unique town that’s rich in history and offers some of the best food anywhere. I try to visit twice a year, once in summer and then again in winter. During both seasons there are so many different things to do, and some of the best snow in winter for skiing and snowboarding. The drive up from the city offers some of the best scenery and mountain backroads to explore. The Million Dollar Highway is one I highly recommend…you will not be disappointed.”

Denver-based, Jack Penley, made his first appearance on Pikes Peak in June. Behind the wheel of a 2004 Volkswagen R32, Penley’s first race day attempt was thwarted by a red flag on the course and he was turned around to restart. Between runs, a problem was detected which could not be remedied before he took the green flag. Undeterred by the DNF on race day, Penley, and his team, are already looking forward to next year.

“My favorite place to go in Colorado…any cold mountain stream filled with trout!”

Sterling Chase, car owner, also shared, “My favorite place to go in Colorado is Manitou Springs. Loved that place when I was a kid. My aunt took me to the Penny Arcade and Margo’s Vienna Station for hot dogs.”

Another competitor out of Denver, Spencer Steele, strapped in to his 1994 PVA Peak Special for his 20th attempt in the Open Wheel division in June. Steele, three-time Open Wheel champion, reached Cog Cut on race day before experiencing a mechanical issue. His best time was in 2015 when he clocked a 09:53.494.

Matus Huska makes his home in Sedalia, Colorado, but his roots are in Slovakia. Huska made his third appearance on Pikes Peak in his 2010 Audi TTs, clocking a personal best time of 10:49.233, and finishing sixth in the Pikes Peak Open division.

“The most ‘Colorado’ thing about Colorado? Think shorts…on snowy days!”

Brotherly Love (of Racing)

Earl O’Maley, along with brother Rodney, make their home on the Westside of Colorado Springs, at the foot of Pikes Peak. Both have followed in their father’s footsteps who also competed in the PPIHC. Earl raced for the third year in the Open Wheel division in his 2015 O’Maley Special Spec IV setting a personal best 11:30.523, and finishing 4th in the division.

“Pikes Peak is my favorite place in Colorado. When you see it from a distance, you know you’ve found home, with its wonderful views calling you to explore. It is purple mountain majesty.”

Younger brother, Rodney O’Maley, has been racing on America’s Mountain since he was a teenager. He ran for the 14th time this year in the Open Wheel division finishing in 2nd place, and 11th overall in his 2018 O’Maley Special Spec VIII, setting his best time ever, a 10:15.446.

“My favorite thing about Colorado is that within an hour from almost anywhere you can be in the beautiful mountains enjoying everything they have to offer!”

Colorado Springs – In the Shadow of Pikes Peak

Ethan Hunter, of Colorado Springs, was a first-time driver on Pikes Peak in June. With a time of 10:47.501, Hunter finished on the podium in third place in the Pikes Peak Open division in his 2013 Port City Stock Car.

“My favorite thing about Colorado is that we have a very motorsports-friendly home here with 10+ active, thriving race tracks!”

Racing the 2007 O’Maley Open Wheeler, David Meyer of Colorado Springs took on the 12.42 mile course for the 13th time. He’s formerly competed in powersport and UTV divisions, but switched to cars ten years ago. It was his first year racing in the Open Wheel division. Unfortunately, his luck ran out on race day and his run ended near Halfway Picnic Grounds.

In the Mountains

Buena Vista’s Andy Kingsley raced to the top in the Unlimited division in his 2002 Porsche 911 GT-R Pikes Peak in 10:38.061 for 8th in his division. It was also his 8th year on the mountain, and his top time ever. Kingsley is a regular competitor in the Colorado Hill Climb Association series.

“My favorite things about Colorado are the small town community mindset and, of course, the views.”

Gardner Nichols of Basalt, Colorado, slashed his own record, set in 2023, for the fastest Electric Production Truck/Van in his 2024 Rivian R1T. His time of 10:53.883 bested his 2023 mark by 30 seconds. Gardner finished 4th in the Exhibition division.

PPIHC Hall of Famer, Jeff Zwart, competed in the Race to the Clouds for the 19th time in June. Well-known in the Porsche racing world, Zwart has claimed several division wins and, prior to this year, had never placed below third. As he passed under the start line banner, Zwart experienced a mechanical failure causing him to crash, ending his day before he got to the first turn. Despite his first ever DNF, no doubt, Zwart will be back on the mountain next year.

“Being a driver, one of my favorite things about Colorado is experiencing the roads. We have some of the best mountain passes.”

Photo Credits: Larry Chen Photo: Larry Chen, Luis Garcia, Payton Smith, Charles Zhou, Jason Zindroski

PPIHC License Plates Available in Colorado