The annual Pikes Peak Hillclimb has become one of the world of motorports must see events. Although the winding road up the famous mountain is now all tarmac, it’s still a massive challenge for competitors on two wheels and four.
This year, Melbourne Sports Sedan diver Brett Dickie is on hand to compete alongside a who’s who of major international names.
The event is the second oldest motorsport race in America and a long-standing tradition in Colorado Springs and the Pikes Peak Region. First staged in 1916, this year marks the 99th Running. The race is held on a 19.98 -kms course, with 156 turns.
The course record of 7:57.148 was set by Romain Dumas in 2018 driving a 2018 Volkswagen I.D. R all-electric prototype in the Unlimited Division. Compare that to the winning time in the very first race of 20:55.6 set by Rea Lentz in his Romano Special back in 1916.
There is no other race in the world like the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. It attracts race teams willing to invest large sums and months of preparation to compete for ‘King of the Mountain.’ This race is also a bucket list event for many grassroots racers who prepare all year to test their machines against factory teams and each other.
