FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: May 24, 2022
Pikes Peak International Hill Climb Awards Inaugural Climbing Higher Scholarship
Colorado Springs, CO – The Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, brought to you by Gran Turismo, is pleased to recognize William Andrew Black as the first recipient of the Climbing Higher Award. The award’s aim is to recognize area high school seniors who demonstrate an aptitude and interest in pursuing a career related to one of the many aspects of motorsports, such as engineering, event planning, welding, power technology, photography and more.
Black, center, accompanied by WPHS Superintendent, Dr. Mathew Neal, left
Bob Bodor, right, Executive Director of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb
Photo: Larry Ingram
“We are proud to honor Andrew Black with our first ever $1,000 Climbing Higher Award,” explained Bob Bodor, Executive Director, Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. “Andrew’s interest in new engineering technologies that may refine safety protocols in the auto industry and produce measurable efficiencies in race cars is remarkable. He is poised to make a difference in any field of study he pursues, and we’re ready to support him with this award.”
Wm. Andrew Black, an accomplished senior at Woodland Park High School in Woodland Park, Colorado will graduate in May with not only a scholarship, but tickets to witness the 100th Running of the iconic Race to the Clouds on June 26th.
Graduating Summa Cum Laude, Black’s high school course work has included a wide range of mathematics, physics, and engineering classes. He has participated in both Knowledge Bowl and the Science Olympiad. While his academic work speaks for itself, instructors tout Black’s character, stating, “Andrew possesses an ironclad sense of integrity, humility, an impeccable work ethic, a sense of humor, attention to detail, and more.”
Beyond his academic pursuits, he has made time to seriously hone his craft as a musician, participating in every band program available, Marching, Pep, Symphonic and Jazz leading to a nomination as the most improved fine arts student.
Black plans to attend South Dakota School of Mines and Technology pursuing mechanical engineering and chemistry. Discussing his interest in mechanical engineering, he explains, “Looking at the world of motor sports specifically, engineers place a focus on producing safer cars to race with improvements to the body carriage and any areas susceptible to high impact collisions. This safety sector is a possible career path I could choose from, though I could also investigate the engineering process of maximizing efficiency of the race cars. Designing a new system that could allow for a more efficient use of fuel and energy, or chemically forming a new type of hyper-efficient fuel are areas offering opportunities for me to learn and innovate.”
The Climbing Higher Award will be given annually to an area high school senior who demonstrates a passion for pursuing a field related to motorsports.
ABOUT THE PIKES PEAK INTERNATIONAL HILL CLIMB
First staged in 1916, the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb is the second oldest race in America. The invitation-only event, often referred to as The Race to the Clouds is held annually on the last Sunday of June on Pikes Peak – America’s Mountain, near Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA. The famous 12.42-mile (20 km) course consists of 156 turns, boasts an elevation gain of 4,725 feet (1,440 m), and reaches a finish line at 14,115 feet (4,302 m) above sea level. The PPIHC’s automobile categories feature a wide variety of vehicles representing multiple forms of motorsport; everything from production-based Time Attack challengers to purpose-built Open Wheel racers and state-of-the-art Unlimited vehicles take on America’s Mountain pursuing victory. The 100th Running of this iconic motorsport event will take place on June 26, 2022.
Contact:
Lisa Haight
Event Coordinator / Media / Historian
lisa@ppihc.org
(719) 685-4400
