So, lately I can’t get one thing out of my head. No it’s not the Nissan GT-R although that does seem to be a reoccurring theme. What I’ve been thinking about is a mountain and a race.
A time trial of sorts, I remember hearing about the race to the clouds a while back and now have been thinking what an adventure it would be to actually do it!
This has nothing to do with Miami, or driving on pavement for that matter, maybe that’s why it’s so attractive to me.
The race that I’m referring to is the annual Pikes Peak International Hill Climb.
For a little back-story:
Pikes Peak is a mountain in the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains, 10 miles (16 km) west ofÂColorado Springs, Colorado, in El Paso County. It is named for Zebulon Pike, an explorer who led an expedition to the southern Colorado area in 1806. At 14,115 feet (4,302Â m), it is one of Colorado’s 54 fourteeners. Drivers race up the mountain in a famous annual race called the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb.
The Pikes Peak International Hill Climb (PPIHC), also known as the The Race to the Clouds, is an annual automobile and motorcycle hillclimb to the summit of Pikes Peak in Colorado, a distance of 19.99 km (12.42 miles) over 156 turns, climbing 1,439 meters (4,721 ft) from the start at Mile 7 on Pikes Peak Highway at 2,862 meters (9,390 ft) on grades averaging 7% over both gravel and paved sections.
One side of the mountain is solid as a rock. On the other side it’s sheer cliff face and certain doom. Sounds like fun doesn’t it. The Pikes Peak International Hill Climb is the second oldest auto race in the United States- second to only the Indy 500. The first race was in 1916.
The rules are simple, drive up the mountain as fast as you can, don’t crash, don’t die, thats it super simple, right? All it takes is a capable vehicle that fits in one of the many categories; Open Wheel, Super Stock Car, Pro Trucks, Unlimited, Motortocycles and more. Pack your guts, grab your balls, steady your nerves and put the petal to the metal!
Oh, don’t crash… crash bad…
Check out this video of a real pro doing it. World-renowned stunt driver and pro drifter Rhys Millen makes it look almost easy in this badass video showing how to do it all the right way as you take on the mountain. He actually set a class record during this run up Pikes Peak sprint in his Hyundai Genesis Coupe.
Enjoy.
How bout that Hyundai Genesis Coupe? That’s a mean ride!
The next race is June 27, 2010 lets get a Miami MyDailyDrive.com team together and make it happen! Who’s with me?! Oh, and we need a car? What car would be good Hmm… something with high horse power, force inducted, and 4wd? Hmm…
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Thanks to Wikipedia and http://www.ppihc.com/ for information on the race.
Pikes Peak is awesome! Never been to the race but have been a couple of times on vacation. I’ve got a truck which is the total opposite of what your looking for but it would be an “experience”
. Google “climbdance” for another of many cool videos…