Pike's Peak Hillclimb

[skooli]

I'm planning on attending the Pike's Peak Hillclimb this summer and was wondering if anyone else has done this as a spectator before. If you have, do you have any advice for a first timer? Camp or hotel? Best places to post up as a spectator? When to get up and down the mountain etc?

[JustJohn]

Walk the mountain top before the event if you can. They don't keep much air near the top. 100 yards will feel like a mile.

[rchaskin]

I am going to preface this question by saying i know nothing about PPHC, except that is uphill and 12ish miles....

Is the road to the top open year round? Is anything at the top?
Can you just go to the road and drive to the top?

[72BBSwinger]

Its a public park year round except for that weekend IIRC.

[TheJDMan]

About the only thing at the top is a small gift shop/snack bar and a SPECTACULAR view!

[rchaskin]

Thanks....

[skooli]

So nobody has been to the race? I guess I could post up afterwards with some pics and a little synopsis of the experience. One day I'd love to have my Mustang or Camaro in good enough condition to run the vintage class. There's so much history with this event. I can't wait to go. Here's the link to the race if anyone is interested:
http://www.ppihc.com/2015-race/

[cornfedbill]

It is a toll road, and it isn't cheap.

See http://pikespeak.us.com/Essentials/hours-and-fees.html

[rchaskin]

Wow....40 bucks a car.

Thanks for the link!!

[High Plains Mopars]

There is a cog railroad that runs to the top through a different course than the auto road. There also is a hiking trail that takes a different route than the rail road or road. At the top is the is the summit house with a gift shop, snack bar, the mountain top marker and a lot of rock. Really, 14,110 feet does not have enough oxygen to support much more vegetation life than mosses and grass. However, you can see for miles and miles. The song America the Beautiful was penned from the top of the Peak, so that gives you an idea of the view. They try to keep the road open year round but it occasionally get enough snow to close it.

I have worked the Hillclimb in years past, but no time within the last decade. Nothing glamourous but simple jobs like taking tickets, directing parking, monitoring pit passes. Anyway, the night before the Hillclimb is the only time they allow camping on the Peak. If you are up to it, camping does save you a bit of time on the morning of the race. Since all the spectators have to get up the mountain before the races start, the gates up at 3 am the day of the race. If you hotel it, you have to be up early enough to go get in line. Close by hotels fill up fast and you will most likely be 30-40 minutes downstream from the Peak entrance. If you camp, you can sleep in until around 5-6 until the sun gets too bright. If you camp up there, drink plenty of water, take it easy on the alcohol. At 10,000+ feet, it only takes a few beers to get stupid. It alsop gets cold and can snow, so if you camp, be prepared for conditions somewhere between 35-90* with either blazing, burning sun, or wind whipped snow.

They have recently implemented designated viewing areas, so the mountain is no longer a free for all. The best viewing are used to be at the "W"s, but I think this has been limited to persons with press credentials only. So I can't really tell you what the best areas are any more. However, watching the Hillclimb is like watching Indy. With the limited field of view, you only get to see a short segment of track where a car flashes past you in a few seconds. you then wait for several minutes before the next car flashes by. This is why viewing above timber line or in the W's was good because you could watch a longer line of sight.

Unless you have a dedicated race car that happens to be street legal, taking your basic pro-touring car up the race in the vintage class isn't a real possibility. In addition to that, the race has become so popular that they have to limit the number of entries they allow to race on race day. No word on if they will ever develop it into a qualifying scenario and run over several days.

[skooli]

Wow! Thanks for the info. We are planning on staying in Colorado Springs (no camping), so I guess we'll be getting up early. We're planning on attending some of the race related events in Colorado Springs too. Again, I'll take a lot of pictures.

[High Plains Mopars]

You bet. Not sure how early you are arriving, but here some more info.

Looking at the week's schedule, tech inspections are Monday at the World Arena. This is on the south side of town. That means Hampton Inn, Fairfield Inn, Hotel Elegante, and Antlers Doubletree are all hotels close by.

Tues- Fri are all practice days. They do sell tickets to these and crowds are down considerably for these. You still need to get up at the butt crack of dawn but its a great chance to wander the pits and check out cars. Practice days divide the course in quarters, so no one runs the entire road. You can bet all the big money teams will be there finalizing their set ups.

Friday evening is Fan Fest down town. They close off a number of streets and have all sorts of shows, displays, meet & greets. Hotels close to this are The Wyndom Mining Exchange, Antlers Hilton, Quality Suites, Holiday Inn, Econo Lodge.

Saturday, not much happens, so this is a chance to do local sight seeing. Air Force Academy, Garden of the Gods, Manitou Springs are all popular destinations. Tourism is big here so there are also plenty of other things to check out. Or just hang out downtown and bar hop. Tejon street has plenty of places for food and drink. Any hotel will have pamphlets of things to do.

Sunday, get up insane early, head up the mountain. Looking at the seating zones available this year, the Half Way picnic grounds and Ski Area have some decent straight way views. In these spots throttles will be wide open and speeds will be up. Glen Cove, Cove Creek, and Devils Playground have fewer trees and a combo of straights and corners for viewing. Cove Creek has a hairpin with a long straight and Devils Playground has a few left/right turns with short chutes and a sweeping exit. However, the lack of trees means the weather may be more unpredictable.

Extra tips;
Dress in layers. It can easily be 90* in town and 45* on the mountain. Layers allow you to shed/add as the weather changes. Typically it is pretty decent, but yes, it can show on the summit in June. The 2012 race was shorten because of the snow and ice on the summit.

Drink lots of water. Humidity if here averages 8%. A day in the sun will suck the moisture out of you. Headaches and nausea are the side effects and uncomfortable at altitude.

Here is the Peak today. Photo is taken at 6000'. The white diagonal line right of center is the Mt Manitou incline- it tops out at 9000'. Trees disappear at 11,000' . Summit is obscured by clouds.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2015/01/20150130_131206_zpscllmqzii-1.jpg (http://s819.photobucket.com/user/highplainsperformance/media/20150130_131206_zpscllmqzii.jpg.html)

[ZZ430]

^^^ Great posts Tony, brings back memories.

Colo Spgs is my home town. I used to go up on the hill every year. Back then you could watch anyplace you wanted. The playground is where we partied hard the night before the race.

LOL, some days it was all we could do to make it out of the tent in the morning to watch the race.

This was when the Unsers were kings of the mountain.

I have a pic myself.

108367

[High Plains Mopars]

You bet Don. I've lived here all my life and never get tired of seeing it. Not that that you could miss it, really, since you can see it from everywhere.

[High Plains Mopars]

Sunrise on my way into work the other day. Yes, that's the moon setting.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2015/02/086_zpsbncutnei-1.jpg (http://s819.photobucket.com/user/highplainsperformance/media/086_zpsbncutnei.jpg.html)

[BMR Sales]

Be careful where you watch from and be alert


BHYYlTZIZQ4

[BMR Sales]

Crash with Fire with Spectators!

ZXzWPDfGrYU

[cwylie]

We are planning on going this year as well. Never been before.

[mc84_zz4]

I lived in Colo Springs 7 years, if you are driving in, expect to be on the mountain 12-15 hours, there are no intermissions to let traffic out while the race is on.
Take lots of water, dehydration is a very real issue even if you are used to the altitude, if you are coming in from the coast, Colorado Springs is 6,500 ft, and the Peak is 14,000, if you are trying to move around fast, you may get dizzy, slow it down! If you get the dizzy spins, it may linger for a good while, don't push yourself, you cant go back down the mountain.

For every 1,000 feet of altitude the temperature drops 6*F, carry a pullover, and a decent jacket, it will be cold in the morning.
If the base is 40* @ 6,500 at 9,500 it is 18 degrees cooler (22*).

Each one grab a lip balm with sunscreen, and bring the SPF50 with you. Forget ball caps, bring a hat that covers your ears, they will absolutely fry, scalps are particularly sensitive, by the time you notice, its uncomfortable, and too late.

Plan on stopping and getting some Subway sandwiches the night before, make them dry, grab lots of mayo/mustard packets, and have the lettuce/tomato/onion/etc put in a separate bag(s), pack in an insulated bag with an freezer bar, and you are in business.
Pack some energy bars, trail mix, etc.
Fruit juices will taste the best they ever have, skip the beer until the evening, it will dry you out, and you may have a hike to find the restroom, just saying, you will feel how much more work it is at altitude..
It is a beautiful area, just don't wander far, walkie talkies may make better personal communication, depending on cellular coverage.

HTH
Tons more info, maps, viewing areas, rules, parking, etc here:
http://www.ppihc.com/spectator-guide/

Note that the gates open @ 3 AM on race day, no more cars enter after 7 AM.

[High Plains Mopars]

With all the cool, wet weather we've been having, there is more snow on the peak now than there was in January. Its hard to believe we are only a month and a half away from this year's race.
Here is a rare sunny day recently:

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2015/05/pikes20peak_zpschu6sjwl-1.png (http://s819.photobucket.com/user/highplainsperformance/media/pikes%20peak_zpschu6sjwl.png.html)


They had to dig out 5 feet worth up at the summit house.

http://www.cograilway.com/webcam.asp

[High Plains Mopars]

Next week is Speedweek. If you're coming to town, I hope you have your reservations locked in. Temps re supposed to be in 70s and 80s in town with chance of rain in the evenings. There is still 3 feet of snow on the summit of The Peak. Looks like some of you will get to have a snowball fight in June. Be sure to wear layers if you heading up above treeline.

[COPO-RAT]

I have zero experience with the race, but was gonna chime in on the effects of the altitude and comment on the 'store' at the top, but High Plains has covered it all.
We took a trip to CO Springs last year as my wife had some business in Denver. We took the Cog Railway to the top and it was beautiful. The effects of the altitude are real, but as I stated, High Plains covered all that much better than I could have. A definite must see in my book.
Thanks for the great info High Plains, and to anyone going, enjoy!

[High Plains Mopars]

So things are under way.

Competitor list is here: http://www.ppihc.com/wp-content/uploads/2015-PPIHC-Competitor-List.pdf Sadly, only four entries in the vintage class - a cobra kit car, 2 Mustangs, and a Porsche. Once again, Time Attack 1 and 2 are the biggest classes with a lot of factory efforts present.

Day one info: http://www.autoblog.com/2015/06/23/2015-pikes-peak-hill-climb-practice-day-1-photos/

Day two info: http://www.autoblog.com/2015/06/24/pikes-peak-2015-practice-day-2-photos/

Day three info: http://www.autoblog.com/2015/06/25/2015-pikes-peak-practice-day-3-photos/ Motorcycle racer Carl Sorenson was killed when he and his bike exited the road in the Devil's Playground area. Additionally 6 persons were struck by lightning requiring medical attention.

Day four info: http://www.autoblog.com/2015/06/26/2015-pikes-peak-hill-climb-practice-day-4/

[High Plains Mopars]

A new era may be dawning on the The Peak as Rhys Millen takes the win this year, a first for an electric powered vehicle, in 9:07.22. Not a new record, but certainly putting internal combustion cars on notice. Monster Tajima was second voerall , also in an electric vehicle. The current debate is now if they can ever get electric cars down enough on weight to be nimbles enouhhg for the 156 turns to match the current record.

Paul Dallenbach comes in third overall while shattering the open wheel record with a 9:36.49, besting the old record by 20 seconds in what could best be called a old school throw back vehicle using a 750 hp small block in a lowered and modified Wells Coyote chassis.

1st place in the Vintage class went to Chris Lennon in his 911 Porsche.

Unofficial results due to rain and course changes: http://www.livetiming.net/PPIHC/

Wrap up : http://www.autoblog.com/2015/06/28/2015-pikes-peak-hill-climb-results/#image-25

[MrQuick]

any idea when this will be televised Tony?

[High Plains Mopars]

According to motorsports.com, they have the following schedule on ESPN 2:

All of the shows will be telecast on ESPN2 with Marty Reid calling the action.
The schedule is as follows (all times Eastern):
July 23, (Sunday) 11:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., Auto Hill Climb (cars and trucks)
July 26, (Wednesday) 5:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m., Auto Hill Climb
July 27, (Thursday) 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., Auto Hill Climb
July 29, (Saturday) 6:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., Big Rigs (Class 8 Semi tractors)
Aug. 6, (Sunday) 3:30 a.m. to 4 a.m., Big Rigs
Aug. 21, (Monday) 5:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., Big Rigs
Aug. 24, (Thursday) 7:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., Motorcycles (plus quads and sidecars)


Ironically, there is very little information locally on live or recorded broadcasts of the event. I suppose I shouldn't be surprised when 75% of the population here thinks the Pikes Peak Marathon is a more important event than the Hillclimb, but you would think as the 2nd oldest race in the US and the huge revenue generator it is, the local media would be all over it.

[High Plains Mopars]

The time is rapidly approaching for the 100 year anniversary of the Pikes Peak Hillclimb. At the century mark, Pikes Peak is second only to the Indy 500 as the oldest running race in the United States.

The weeks activities kicked off this weekend with time attack, half mile drag racing at the old COS airport. Tech inspections begin Monday with practice through the week. Fanfest is Friday night and races start at the butt crack of dawn on June 26th.

Looking though this years competitor list, it has a few familiar faces and some somewhat odd entries.

In unlimited electric, Rhys Millen and Monster Tajima are back. Local favorites Clint Vasholtz and the Wood family are running in the open wheel division.

Of interest to readers on here, Aaron Kaufman is back with his '63 Falcon, and David Meyer running a'96 S10, both in the open division. Also in open,Mike Ryan and his 2008 Freightliner.

The vintage division is thin again this year with only three entries - Chris Lennon and his '73 911, Ralph Murdock and his '70 Camaro, and 2012 Champion Jess Neal is back with his '71 Cuda.

Surprisingly, in the time attack classes, normally dominated by the factories, are some older types of cars. In Time Attack 1, David Haski is bringing out a '83 Quattro, Tim Hardy is in an '87 BMW, Miko Katja of Finland is bringing his '79 Toyota Starlet, and William Kitchens is running an '84 Honda CRX.

Time Attack 2 is a bit thinner this year. Of course Kevin Wesley is running the 2016 Viper ACR Hot Rod Special. Stephanie Reeves also in a '16 Viper ACR, Kash Singh is in a '16 Mustang, Nick Robinson is in a '17 NSX, Furnio Nutahara is in a '15 Toyota GT86, and rounding out the class in the oldest vehicle is Jeff Denmeade in an '06 Evo.

The unlimited class brings a variety of vehicles from this century as well as drivers from all over the world including Paul Dallenbach, Romain Dumas, Richard Boake, Tony Quinn, and Rodney Tu.

Should be interesting to see the cars, drivers, times, and festivities around this years event.

[Quicktrick Gil]

Have to make it out to this one day. Great shots, guys.

[High Plains Mopars]

Race is in the books.

Overall win goes to Romain Dumas in the unlimited class at 8:51:445.

Kevin Wesley finished 23rd overall in the Hot Rod Magazine Spcl, and 2nd in class at 10:39.964. Class win was Nick Robertson in the 2017 Acura NXS at 10:28.820.

Jess Neal wins vintage class for his second championship, one on dirt before paving was complete and one on asphalt. 47th place overall . Winning time was 10:39.964.

Aaron Kaufman running the Gas Monkey Garage Falcon in Pikes Peak Open class finished 67th overall, 5th in class at 12:15.484.

18 cars failed to post times on race day. Among them was Ralph Murdock in his '70 Camaro.

More results can be found here if you want to browse them: http://ppihc.livetiming.net/ppihc/

[High Plains Mopars]

For anyone interested, this years race is taking place June 24th. Matchsports.com is offering a 8.5 hr live stream of the PPIHC race this year. For only $4.99 you can listen to an entire day's worth of racing and they are offering multi year packages as well. Broadcasting in HD with aerial shots, interviews, stats and more, this could be a great way to get a feel for the Pikes Peak experience without travelling up the mountain itself.

[mike@sim-seats]

I have considerable interest in this years event. My very close friend Jordan Guitar is driving the Acura RDX. Sadly it conflicts with obligations at the Sonoma NASCAR race this weekend.

[High Plains Mopars]

Only 61 race entries in the auto division this year. 24 cycles. This car count seems consistent with how I've seen the event evolving since paving and the need to reduce the time duration of the event.

Vintage class is gone. There are some vintage cars, but they are running in either the open class or exhibition. Cool old cars running this year; '36 Chevy sedan (driven by Ray Evernham), '49 Ford truck, '66 Cobra, '70 Porsche 914, '72 VW bug, '78 Porsche 911, '83 and '84 Audit Quattros in separate divisions.

Unlimited class is an international set again this year with competitors from Italy, Switzerland, Australia, UK, France, and the US, but only 7 cars.

Porsche Cayman GT4 is their own class this year with 8 entries. Travis Pastrana is running with this group.

Time Attack is biggest class again with heavy factory involvement from numerous marques.


I have considerable interest in this years event. My very close friend Jordan Guitar is driving the Acura RDX. Sadly it conflicts with obligations at the Sonoma NASCAR race this weekend.

Your buddy Jordon is entered for exhibition class, along with Rhys Millen (in a Bentley no less). Is he is withdrawing due to the conflict or are they putting in a back up driver? He has been attending practice this week, but his times are a 30 seconds to 2 minutes off from other cars. Not surprising as a rookie on the hill and consistent among other first timers. Its intimidating as hell up there if you aren't familiar with it.
http://ppihc.org/wp-content/uploads/June-19-2018-Practice-and-Qualifying-Times.pdf

[High Plains Mopars]

A new record is set! The Volkswagon ID R electric race car driven by Romain Dumas, ran the course in 7:57.1, beating the old record set be Sebastian Loebe by 16 seconds.

Race was stopped at 3 pm due to zero visibility and hail.

Other class winners:
Peter Cunningham, Pikes Peak Open, third overall
Paul Dallenbach, Open Wheel, 5th overall 9:37.1
David Donohue, Time Attack, 6th overall 9:37.2
Ray Evernham, PPC-Exhibiton, 18th overall 10:11.3
Travis Pastrana, Porsche Caymen GT4, Clubsport 10:33.9

Local legend Clint Vasholtz finished 2nd in class and 8th overall in a 2014 McLaren 12C at 9:52.7. Randy Pobst, who drive the Hot Rod Magazine Viper last year, was in a 2018 Mustang this year and finished 3rd in class, 13th overall at 10:02.4 Travis Pastrana was 1st in class and 25th overall, 10:33.9.

[mike@sim-seats]

Your buddy Jordon is entered for exhibition class, along with Rhys Millen (in a Bentley no less). Is he is withdrawing due to the conflict or are they putting in a back up driver? He has been attending practice this week, but his times are a 30 seconds to 2 minutes off from other cars. Not surprising as a rookie on the hill and consistent among other first timers. Its intimidating as hell up there if you aren't familiar with it.
http://ppihc.org/wp-content/uploads/June-19-2018-Practice-and-Qualifying-Times.pdf[/QUOTE]


I was texting with him over the weekend and traded some e-mail today. Everything went well. He passed all of the rookie requirements, but sadly did not get a chance on race day due to weather. I'm not clear why you think he may have withdrawn.

I can't speak to his times other than to say the car only has 350HP, and his top priority is always to care for the equipment over turning in the fastest time. I am not certain what effort was made at weight savings. This isn't to say that he's slow... there are certainly many very good drivers at Honda R&D who could have been put into that seat, but he earned it.

[High Plains Mopars]

You said higher in the thread the Peak race conflicted with a commitment at Sonoma. To me, that implied he may withdraw from the Peak race to honor his prior commit at Sonoma. I was simply asking which we was doing. That's why it was posed as a question rather than a statement. I have no clue what he intended to do.

I'm also not implying he is not a capable driver. Most rookies at the Hillclimb, even some of the top drivers in the world, tend to be off pace their first time on the mountain. It is a lot to take in compared to turning laps at any other track in the world, which I also pointed out as being consistent among newbies. Not knowing how much info or detail you might be have, I put the link up so you could find it and check it out if you wished. I'm sorry to hear he was unable to turn in a time on race day after shuffling his schedule around. That is a drag to put in all that work and effort only to be denied by mother nature with no shot at a do over until next year. I hope we'll see him come back next year.

[mike@sim-seats]

Got it. It wasn't clear from my first post, but I was the one with the conflict. Sim Seats was doing a thing at the NASCAR race.

[High Plains Mopars]

Gotcha. I certainly hope you can make it out next year and experience it for yourself! Will you be bringing Sim-seat demos with you?

[mike@sim-seats]

Too soon to say! Sonoma was the first event we have done that required us to ship assembled units via freight (in the past we have either driven them or shipped them parcel in parts for customer orders). There was a little bit of sticker shock, so we are evaluating other options for future demonstrations out west.

I did ask the iRacing guys when Pikes Peak might be added to the software. All they would say is that they get a lot of requests for that track ;) It's length makes it a very challenging endeavor for them compared to most of the other tracks that they have scanned.