Pikes Peak: The Race to the Clouds
Nestled in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado lies one of the most thrilling and historic motorsport events in the world: The Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. Born out of rebellious tenacity, drivers from around the globe gather to conquer the 12.42-mile course, battling not just the clock but the mountain itself. With its gruelling elevation changes, 156 treacherous turns, and unpredictable weather, Pikes Peak is a true test of skill, courage, and endurance.
A Brief History
The Hill Climb was first held in 1916, making it the second oldest motorsport race in the United States, just behind the Indianapolis 500. It was the brainchild of Spencer Penrose, a wealthy businessman and philanthropist who had made his fortune from mining, ore processing, and real estate in Colorado and other parts of the West.
Before Penrose, tourists reached Pikes Peak on foot, by railroad, or even on the backs of donkeys. A basic carriage road also existed, allowing visitors to precariously ascend the mountain in wagons. In the early 1900s, Penrose and a group of investors recognised the potential in that narrow, unstable dirt track and began investing in transforming it into a proper road, which was completed in 1915. To promote it, Penrose came up with a truly unique (and somewhat audacious) idea: host a race to the summit.
The inaugural race was won by Rea Lentz, who clocked a time of 20 minutes and 55.6 seconds in a Romano Demon Special. Since then, the race has evolved dramatically, with the course being paved over time and the vehicles transforming from rudimentary machines into highly sophisticated, purpose-built racers.
The Course
The course is a 12.42-mile stretch that begins at an elevation of 9,390 feet and climbs to the summit at 14,115 feet. Along the way, drivers must navigate 156 corners, which range from tight hairpins to sweeping curves, all while dealing with an elevation gain of 4,725 feet.
One of the most significant challenges is the altitude. As the cars climb higher, the air becomes thinner, which reduces engine power and downforce, making it increasingly difficult to maintain control. Additionally, the weather on Pikes Peak is notoriously unpredictable, with drivers often facing rain, snow, or fog as they near the summit, even if the conditions at the start line are clear.
In August 1998, the Pikes Peak chapter of the Sierra Club, the nation’s largest environmental organisation, claimed that gravel pollution caused by the 13 unpaved miles of the Pikes Peak Highway violated the Clean Water Act and filed a lawsuit against the City of Colorado Springs and National Forest Service. As a result, the first mile of paving was installed in 2002 and the project was completed weeks after the 89th Running of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb in 2011.
Notable Moments
Over the years, Pikes Peak has been the setting for some of the most remarkable moments in motorsport history.
One of the most iconic runs came in 1988 when Finnish rally driver Ari Vatanen took on the mountain in a Peugeot 405 T16. His drive was immortalised in the short film Climb Dance, which captured Vatanen wrestling with the car on the edge of the cliffs, one hand on the wheel and the other shielding his eyes from the blinding sun. Vatanen's time of 10:47.22 set a new benchmark and solidified his place in Pikes Peak legend.
In 2013, French rally champion Sébastien Loeb shattered records in a Peugeot 208 T16. Loeb, who had already cemented his status as one of the greatest rally drivers of all time, attacked Pikes Peak with a purpose-built car that looked more like a Le Mans prototype than a hill climb racer. He completed the course in a staggering 8:13.878, obliterating the previous record and setting a new standard for what was possible on the mountain.
Perhaps the most significant development in recent years has been the rise of EVs at Pikes Peak. In 2018, Volkswagen made history with its I.D. R, its all-electric prototype designed specifically for the race. Piloted by Romain Dumas, the I.D. R blitzed the mountain in just 7:57.148, becoming the first car to break the eight-minute barrier.
Want in on the action?
Custodian's partner dealer Sasso Automotive currently have for sale the 2019 Bentley Continental GT3 built specifically to take on Pikes Peak. It's the very last conventionally powered Bentley to be part of the factory race program making this a real piece of history!
This particular car participated in the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb in 2019, and was named the "Bentley Continental GT Pikes Peak". It was driven by Pikes Peak legend Rhys Millen. Check it out here on The Showroom.
