XJ Wheeler
08-12-2012, 04:38 AM
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.
http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/h401/xj-wheeler/PPIHC/ppihc2008.jpg
http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/h401/xj-wheeler/PPIHC/526989_449999805030268_1131923604_n.jpg
http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/h401/xj-wheeler/PPIHC/Optimized-Pikes_Peak_Highway.jpg
http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/h401/xj-wheeler/PPIHC/007.jpg
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.
http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/h401/xj-wheeler/PPIHC/PPIHC_winner_1916_300.jpg
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.
http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/h401/xj-wheeler/PPIHC/4-4.jpg
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.
http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/h401/xj-wheeler/PPIHC/Roger-Lovell-_11.jpg
http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/h401/xj-wheeler/PPIHC/attachment-1-1-1.jpg
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.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
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"
http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/h401/xj-wheeler/PPIHC/ppihc2008.jpg
http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/h401/xj-wheeler/PPIHC/526989_449999805030268_1131923604_n.jpg
http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/h401/xj-wheeler/PPIHC/Optimized-Pikes_Peak_Highway.jpg
http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/h401/xj-wheeler/PPIHC/007.jpg
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.
http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/h401/xj-wheeler/PPIHC/PPIHC_winner_1916_300.jpg
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.
http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/h401/xj-wheeler/PPIHC/4-4.jpg
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.
http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/h401/xj-wheeler/PPIHC/Roger-Lovell-_11.jpg
http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/h401/xj-wheeler/PPIHC/attachment-1-1-1.jpg
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.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
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"