Pikes Peak International Hill Climb

[XJ Wheeler]

156 turns, 12.42 miles, 4,720 ft of elevation change, 3,000 ft cliffs, possible weather conditions, high winds. All of this race drivers battle to climb Americas mountain.

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This year marks the 90th running of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. Starting in 1916 its the second oldest automotive race in the country next to the Indy 500.

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I've attended five (if i remember correctly) of the hill climbs and their always a blast. It still pains me i wasn't there last year when Nobuhiro "Monster" Tajima finally beat the 10 minute mark (running a 9.51), a record highly sought after since Rod Millen set the 10.04 minutes of 1994. Sadly it was the last year the road wasn't completely paved, this year means no dirt. The dirt always gave it a lot of character and even the racers preferred it.

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If you didn't respect these racers enough already, i bring you what "Monster" had to do to get that record.

‪GoPro HD: Pikes Peak 2011 Monster Tajima's World Record‬ - YouTube

August 12,2012 is the new date for this years hill climb, postponed from July due to the wildfires in the area. Racing should start at 9:00 am (mountain time) after they clear the road. And it usually ends around 5:00 pm but that can greatly vary. Weather conditions can change in minutes. The mornings are usually just above freezing, and afternoons bring hot temps and the usual storm.

It brings drivers from around the world and all types of vehicles including muscle cars, bikes, quads, open wheels, unlimiteds, newer cars, a modified big rig, and even rock crawlers. The first rock crawler/racer to make the run was JT Taylor in the Torchmate buggy in 2010. Last year i believe three made it out including Roger Lovell who had a trembling run and did not finish.

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Here's video of his run.

AMSOIL Roger Lovell Pikes Peak Crash IN-CAR - YouTube

AMSOIL Roger Lovell Pikes Peak Crash - YouTube

Another with more story.

Torchmate Racing at 2011 Pikes Peak - YouTube

If you ever get the chance you have GOT to make it to one of these races.
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I tell you all this because in the morning you can watch the coverage live here - http://www.ppihc.com/
or you can listen to 1240 am krdo.

Aka "The Race Above The Clouds"

[cantab27]

rod millen go kiwi go....that monster dude brings that thing down here and runs a hill climb we have down here

[XJ Wheeler]

rod millen go kiwi go....that monster dude brings that thing down here and runs a hill climb we have down here

I always wanted Rod Millen to get the record, but he stopped coming a few years back. His son Rhys is battling now though, so at least there's a kiwi still fighting for the record.:thumbsup:

[XJ Wheeler]

Sounds like it was an interesting day on the mountain.

"Monster" had an cockpit fire taking him out in the first leg but he was fine.

French Le Mans racer Romain Dumas ran a 9.46.181 to get the new overall record. Then minutes later (kiwi) Rhys Millen taking that title away to set the (unofficial) new record of 9.46.164. Beating Dumas by a staggering 17/1000th of a second. I wish it was Rod but at least his son took the title.

There was snow, hail, and winds that lead to a horrible number of crashes with (i believe) eight red flags. Toward the end the temp was 38° at the summit. All pushing the event to run very late ending around 7:30 pm (mountain time). It takes a few more hours to get everyone off the mountain so that will go well into dark. The weather also led to the officials making the decision to shorten the length of the race toward the end buy ending it around Glen Cove about 11,440ft.

As stated there was several crashes. One led to the two occupants being hospitalized, one with life threatening injuries. Prayers be with them

[prerunner1982]

I am sure the new records were due to the all pavement course. Just something about doing all/most of that on the dirt that really made it neat.

[XJ Wheeler]

I am sure the new records were due to the all pavement course. Just something about doing all/most of that on the dirt that really made it neat.

Yes, i totally agree that the new numbers are due to the pavement. But that has also lead to higher speeds and more accidents. The dirt was a different animal, it made the drivers work for their times a little harder. I am glad the 10 minute mark was beat while it was partly dirt.

[OrangeXJ]

I know a guy that did it on a racing ATV

[cantab27]

Jeremy Foley Crash - Pikes Peak International Hill Climb 2012 - YouTube


:confused:..wow

[Carves]

Ouchhh .. :shocker:


No clicky clicky .. Restart ?? .. clicky click .. Yes/OK ... in the real world huh ;)

[XJ Wheeler]

Here's some of the early videos, but mainly crashes.

Mike Ryan showing off his drifting skills.

PPIHC 2012 Practice - Freighter - YouTube

Paul Dallenbach didn't get much of a chance to challenge the record. He is reportedly fine with no serious injuries but wow, what a hit!

Crash Pikes Peak International Hill Climb Paul Dallenbach/ Monster - YouTube

Paul Dallenbach Crash at Pikes Peak International Hill Climb 2012 - YouTube

You beat me to this one Wayne but i'll put it anyways. :p
The worst of the day was Jeremy Foley flying off a cliff and rolling his car nine times (by my count). He to didn't suffer major injuries with the worst being a broken leg. Thank God for safety equipment.

YouTube

And more about the crashes.

http://m.gazette.com/sports/pikes-143089-peak-climb.html

[XJ Wheeler]

More on Dallenbachs crash. Reportedly it turns out his throttle got stuck once he hit 5th gear. Amazing he came out ok.

PPIHC, Paul Dallenbach at Pikes Peak - YouTube

Paul Dallenbach Pikes Peak International Hill Climb 2012 crash - YouTube

Rhys Millens record setting run.

Rhys Millen World Record Pikes Peak International Hill Climb 2012 - YouTube

[XJ Wheeler]

Another year, another race. You can watch live at http://www.redbull.com/tv

So far (unofficial) French rally car driver has taken the record at 8:13 in a multi-million dollar Peugoet.

[prerunner1982]

A road racing Jeep Cherokee needs to go whoop all those high dollar rigs...... if only there was such thing as a road racing Jeep Cherokee. :thumbsup::driving:

[XJ Wheeler]

Today is the 100th anniversary running of the pikes peak hill climb! That's right, it's started in 1916! Wish I was there but I can at least listen in. If you want to listen you can search for KRDO 1240 AM. I'm listening on the Tune-in app.

Just gotta say I hope Clint Vahsholtz takes the win in his class. I've known him a little years ago, he worked on our zj in the past, and have pics with him with his race car. :D He's won more than any driver in history on pikes peak and he's local to the race. His father was a long time racer there too and his son started a few years back.

Aaron Kaufman from Gas Monkey looks to be racing today as well.

Sent via messenger pigeon. I talk, he types.