FRANCE IS HOME TO 2024 OLYMPICS PPIHC IS HOME TO FRENCH DRIVERS
Colorado Springs, Colorado — The Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, brought to you by Gran Turismo, has hosted competitors from around the globe for over a century. In the waning days of the 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris, France, it seems fitting to recognize French drivers who have left an indelible mark on America’s Mountain in the PPIHC.
Competitors making their home in France, or representing their nation while living elsewhere, have raced on two wheels and on four up the 12.42 miles to the breathtaking 14,115′ summit. From Time Attack to Unlimited, motorcycles to sidecars, drivers and riders challenged the mountain and a few have conquered it in record fashion.
With a retired Time Attack 1 record of 09:23.721 in 2019, Raphael Astier drove a 2017 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup Turbo. Likewise, Cyril Combes aboard his 2011 Suzuki KTM JF Prototype set a quad record in his rookie year, 2016, with a time of 11:05.554.
Electric Power & Overall Course Record – Romain Dumas
Romain Dumas, 5-Time King of the Mountain, holds the overall record, set in 2018 in a Volkswagen all-electric I.D. R – 07:57.148 – the first and only time below the 8-minute mark.
Dumas also holds the current record for the Unlimited Division, for an Electric Prototype/Purpose Built vehicle, and for an All Wheel Drive vehicle. In 2023 he set a record for an Electric Production Truck/Van in an effort with Ford Performance in the Ford SuperVan 4.2, an 08:47.682.
Gas Powered Record – Sébastien Loeb
With a time of 08:13.878, Sébastien Loeb holds a record for an internal combustion engine set in 2013 over the newly-paved course. Loeb drove a Peugeot 208 T16 Pikes Peak to crush the previous course record.
Diesel Powered Record – Gregoire Blachon
After a few years of battling the infamous Pikes Peak weather, Gregoire Blachon’s dream of beating the diesel record finally came true on America’s Mountain in 2021 behind the wheel of his Radical SR Diesel. His time of 10:25.071 beat the previous record by almost a full minute.
Queen of the Mountain
And who can forget Michèle Mouton who is the only woman to win the event and set a course record. Mouton competed in 1985 in her Audi Sport Quattro, finishing in 10:25.390.
Photo Credits: PPIHC Archivies, Rob Miscowitch, Larry Chen Photo: Larry Chen, Louis Yio, Luis Garcia
Contact:
Lisa Haight
Communications Manager / Historian
lisa@ppihc.org
719-685-4400
www.ppihc.org
