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On what was slated to be the final day of qualifying runs for the 101st Running of the Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, brought to you by Gran Turismo, the mountain had other plans. Unpredictable conditions and a fog-shrouded course …
On what was slated to be the final day of qualifying runs for the 101st Running of the Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, brought to you by Gran Turismo, the mountain had other plans. Unpredictable conditions and a fog-shrouded course led race officials to postpone today’s scheduled session to Friday.
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Tickets for Sunday’s 12.42-mile race to the 14,115ft summit of Pikes Peak are sold out, but the event will stream live on YouTube here.
The second day of qualifying for the 101st Running of the Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, brought to you by Gran Turismo saw drivers shift to the next section of the mountain to test their skills and their machines in new territory. …
The second day of qualifying for the 101st Running of the Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, brought to you by Gran Turismo saw drivers shift to the next section of the mountain to test their skills and their machines in new territory. After a second morning of practice and qualifying sessions, drivers are one step closer to their one shot at the Summit on Sunday.
LOWER SECTION – Two of the most dominant names in recent PPIHC history posted the fastest times in qualifying, with three-time and defending overall “King of the Mountain” Robin Shute and his venerable 2018 Wolf TSC-FS atop the Unlimited division and overall standings. Shute’s third and final run clocked in at 3m24.711s, more than 15 seconds ahead of any other driver in qualifying and more than 30 seconds faster than second in division Dan Novembre.
Reigning course record holder Romain Dumas and the all-electric 2023 Ford Performance SuperVan 4 posted the top time in the Pikes Peak Open division — a 3m39.939s — in his third and final run, besting the 2022 qualifying record set by Rhys Millen in the 2016 E-Motion Porsche GT3R TT by nine seconds. James Clay (1995 BMW M3, 3m47.089s) and Raphael Astier (2018 Alpine A110 GT4 Evo, 3m51.872s) rounded out the top three division qualifiers.
Mirl Swan was the fastest rookie qualifier, posting a 4m01.501s to place third in the Unlimited division and sixth overall. Duncan Cowper, qualified sixth in division with a 4m21.370s in the Cowper Dax Rush Pikes Peak Special, while Lucy Block was 12th in the all-electric No. 430 Sierra Echo.
MIDDLE SECTION – The Porsche Pikes Peak Trophy by Yokohama division and Time Attack 1 lined up to see what the middle section had in store. After qualifying 1-2 on Tuesday, David Donohue and Jeff Zwart were again the fastest two drivers in Time Attack 1 as they worked their way up the mountain. Donohue’s 2019 Porsche GT2 RS Clubsport posted a 2m27.273s in his fourth of five passes, while Zwart’s 2019 Porsche 935/19 put up a 2m32.989s in his final run.
The Porsche Pikes Peak Trophy by Yokohama was incredibly close, with five of the six drivers posting top times within a three-second span. Hayden Bradley, an event rookie and the youngest competitor in this year’s race, set the benchmark with a 2m54.729s, with George Hess III just over half of a second behind. It marked the second day in a row that Bradley topped the division after he led the field in qualifying yesterday.
UPPER SECTION – After Randy Pobst topped the Exhibition division in the middle section on Tuesday, Tanner Foust led the group in the upper section on Wednesday with a 2m40.89s in his 2023 Radford Type 62-2. Pobst’s 2021 Tesla Model S Plaid was second in the division at 2m46.20s, but top Open Wheel racer Codie Vahsholtz split the two with a time of 2m41.71s.
Once again, Matt Mullins was the fastest rookie across the two groups, placing sixth overall and fourth in the Exhibition division with a 2m52.15s in the impressive 2023 BMW XM Label Red. Top Open Wheel rookie Sylas Montgomery was third in his division — exactly one second behind Mullins.
The Exhibition and Open Wheel classes will wrap up qualifying on Thursday in the lower section, while Unlimited and Pikes Peak Open will take on the middle section and Time Attack 1 and Porsche Pikes Peak Trophy by Yokohama will head to the top.
First-day practice and qualifying runs for the 101st Running of the Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, brought to you by Gran Turismo was held Tuesday, giving the 66 drivers entered for this year’s race their first look at the mountain …
First-day practice and qualifying runs for the 101st Running of the Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, brought to you by Gran Turismo was held Tuesday, giving the 66 drivers entered for this year’s race their first look at the mountain in one of three sections.
LOWER SECTION – Qualifying took place on the lower section for the Porsche Pikes Peak Trophy by Yokohama division and the Time Attack 1 competitors.
Brumos Racing was out in front in the Time Attack 1 division with David Donohue behind the wheel of the iconic No. 59 2019 Porsche GT2 RS Clubsport. Donohue clocked a new TA1 qualifying record of 3m53.618s, besting his 2022 record of 3m55.750s.
Two PPIHC rookies laid down the fastest times in the Porsche Pikes Peak Trophy by Yokohama division. Hayden Bradley, the youngest competitor in the field at 18 years old, was the division’s top qualifier with a time of 4m27.091s in his No. 727 2020 Porsche Cayman GT4 Clubsport. The division qualifying record was set by Tanner Foust in 2021 in 4m21.277s.
MIDDLE SECTION – The Exhibition and Open Wheel divisions made their practice runs on the middle section. Randy Pobst ran fastest in the Exhibition division, just one second ahead of Tanner Foust and the Radford entry. Former Parade of Champions driver, Matt Mullins, was the fastest rookie in the same group.
Codie Vahsholtz outpaced the other Open Wheel competitors, with PPIHC rookie Sylas Montgomery bringing his former Silver Crown racer, a MFG Road Course Sprint Car to the same division.
UPPER SECTION – The wind in the upper section, along with plenty of snow, reminded drivers it isn’t quite springtime at 14,115 feet. Competitors in the Pikes Peak Open and Unlimited divisions braced for the chill as they warmed their tires in anticipation of their runs. Reigning course record holder Romain Dumas returned to the mountain in the 2023 Ford Performance SuperVan 4 and clocked the fastest time in the upper section in 2m24.73s — 14 seconds ahead of fellow Frenchman, Raphael Astier, in the A110 Alpine GT4 Evo. The division’s only PPIHC Rookie, Satoshi Yagi, had his first taste of the mountain, completing three practice runs.
Robin Shute, three-time “King of the Mountain” at Pikes Peak, proved he still has what it takes to send his 2018 Wolf TSC-FS through the upper section turns. Shute’s fast time on the upper section topped the Unlimited division, with Dan Novembre, also in a Wolf, running only five seconds off Shute’s pace. Duncan Cowper in the Alcon Brake entry, a 2018 Cowper Dax Rush Pikes Peak Special, was the fastest rookie among the Unlimited competitors.
Competitors will rotate sections on Wednesday. Pikes Peak Open and Unlimited will qualify on the lower section. Porsche Pikes Peak Trophy by Yokohama and Time Attack 1 move to the middle, and Exhibition and Open Wheel drivers challenge the upper section.
Lucy Block, wife of the late Ken Block, will honor the rally driver’s legacy by competing at this year’s Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. Already an accomplished rally driver in her own right with a string of top-10 class finishes in National …
Lucy Block, wife of the late Ken Block, will honor the rally driver’s legacy by competing at this year’s Pikes Peak International Hill Climb.
Already an accomplished rally driver in her own right with a string of top-10 class finishes in National and Regional rallying in the U.S., this will be Block’s first outing at Pikes Peak. So far this year she has been competing in the limited four-wheel-drive class in the American Rally Association National championship in a Ford Fiesta Rally3 alongside Alex Gelsomino, who navigated for Ken Block for nearly two decades.
“My biggest accomplishments have always been being a mother to my kids and a strong, supportive wife,” said Block. “Being given the opportunity to drive to the summit for Ken at Pikes Peak is an honor. He gave so much to the action sports community.
“Driving Pikes Peak International Hill Climb gives us a way to carry Ken’s spirit forward and do something he was excited to do himself. We are eager to be able to use this opportunity to create awareness around 43 Institute, and celebrate my husband’s love for motorsports and innovation.”
Block will drive the Sierra Echo EV adorned with a livery reminiscent of the 2020 look of Ken Block’s Ford Escort Cosworth V2.
The Sierra Echo EV is based on one of Sierra Cars’ race-bred off-road vehicles, but powered by an all-electric drivetrain developed by Utah’s Hypercraft USA. The 1,350lb Echo EV delivers a peak power figure of 225 kW — the equivalent of around 300hp — thanks to three 18.6 kWh batteries. It’s good for a top speed of 120mph with 368 ft/lbs of torque at a maximum of 12,000rpm.
“Ken has been a big inspiration to many of us at Hypercraft, for decades,” said Hypercraft co-founder and chief marketing officer Jonathon Miller. “The opportunity to work with Lucy, and to be the EV powertrain provider for the Sierra Echo that will take her up this legendary mountain, is a huge honor, to say the least.
“We’re excited to see the Block family inspire the next generation of performance culture, just like their dad did.”
Sierra Cars will also be producing a limited production run of seven “Block Edition” cars, with a portion of the proceeds from the sales of the cars being donated to the Block family’s 43 Institute. The initiative intends to raise $43,000 for the non-profit which “aims to open the door of opportunity to the network of creatives, business leaders, marketing experts, top level athletes, and artists that Ken has built in his decades-long career; providing grants and support to make dreams happen.”
“We are so honored to take part in this year’s PPIHC with the Block family,” said Sierra Cars founder and pro racer Cole Powelson. “Shortly after Ken’s passing, I was speaking with Lucy and realized how important it was to her that she remains in motorsports with her family. Getting Lucy involved at Pikes Peak seemed like the place where we could make the most positive impact.
“Standing on the summit of Pikes Peak on race day is one of the greatest pleasures I’ve ever known. To be able to share that with Lucy and Lia is the thing I’m looking forward to most this year.”
Ken Block competed at Pikes Peak in 2005 and was set to return in 2022 in the 1,400 horsepower, four-wheel-drive “Hoonipigasus” Porsche until engine troubles curtailed the plan. That car will return to the event this year with his and Lucy’s daughter Lia running the car in a non-competitive “tribute” run.
Lia Block was a podium finisher in the short-lived Sierra Cars class in Nitro Rallycross in 2021 and also been a regular competitor in the U.S. national rally championship, driving a Subaru BRZ in the Open 2-wheel-drive class alongside Rhianon Gelsomino.
The Pikes Peak International Hill Climb has announced a new Pikes Peak GT4 Trophy by Yokohama, to debut with the 102nd running of the race in 2024. The division represents a new direction for the event, adding one of sports car racing’s most …
The Pikes Peak International Hill Climb has announced a new Pikes Peak GT4 Trophy by Yokohama, to debut with the 102nd running of the race in 2024. The division represents a new direction for the event, adding one of sports car racing’s most prominent modern categories to what is already one of the most diverse entry lists of any race in the world.
“The GT4 racing platform is a big part of today’s racing world, and we’re excited to be a part of it,” said Melissa Eickhoff, PPIHC Executive Director. “The Pikes Peak GT4 Trophy by Yokohama broadens our existing efforts to a wider range of entries for future editions of the PPIHC, and we expect it to attract plenty of first-time Hill Climb racers to the mountain in the coming years.”
The Pikes Peak GT4 Trophy by Yokohama will replace the Porsche Pikes Peak Trophy by Yokohama division after the 2023 running. The new division will be run in partnership with SRO, with the intent of opening the event up to more competitors and manufacturers. Like the current spec Porsche Pikes Peak Trophy by Yokohama division, which features the Porsche Cayman GT4 Clubsport, all entries will run on the Yokohama ADVAN A052 tire.
“The Pikes Peak International Hill Climb is an iconic event in motorsports and Yokohama is thrilled to carry on our longstanding partnership with PPIHC as the exclusive tire of the new Pikes Peak GT4 Trophy by Yokohama class,” said Tricia Wall, Yokohama Tire motorsports manager. “With its excellent performance and wide range of fitments, the Yokohama ADVAN A052 is the perfect tire for a GT4 class.”
The 101st running of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb is set for Sunday, June 25.
Join us for Episode #339 of RACE INDUSTRY NOW, the weekly webinar Series from EPARTRADE: “Pikes Peak International Hill Climb Master Class: Rookies ask the Veterans” Wednesday, May 24 at 9:00am PT/12pm ET. Click here to register With Robin Shute, …
Join us for Episode #339 of RACE INDUSTRY NOW, the weekly webinar Series from EPARTRADE: “Pikes Peak International Hill Climb Master Class: Rookies ask the Veterans”
Wednesday, May 24 at 9:00am PT/12pm ET. Click here to register
With Robin Shute, three-time “King of the Mountain,” 5-year competitor, engineer; Jeff Zwart, PPIHC Hall of Fame, 15+ year competitor, mentor, driving coach, filmmaker; Loni Unser, motorsports professional, raced in 2022 for the first time on Pikes Peak; Gardner Nichols, engineer and test driver specializing in vehicle dynamics and performance, Pikes Peak rookie and Matt Mullins, Chief Driving Instructor at BMW Performance Driving School, professional driver for commercials and film industry, Pikes Peak Rookie.
Hosted by Jeff Hammond from SiriusXM ch 90, Late Shift. No charge to attend.
Lia Block, daughter of the late Ken Block, will drive the “Hoonipigasus” Porsche at this year’s Pikes Peak International Hillclimb. Ken Block was scheduled to drive the 1,400 horsepower, four-wheel-drive machine at last year’s hillclimb, which would …
Lia Block, daughter of the late Ken Block, will drive the “Hoonipigasus” Porsche at this year’s Pikes Peak International Hillclimb.
Ken Block was scheduled to drive the 1,400 horsepower, four-wheel-drive machine at last year’s hillclimb, which would have been his first start in the event since 2005. Unfortunately, engine failure in the lead-up curtailed the plans, and with Block’s death in January, hopes of a competitive run for the car were all but ended.
However, Lia, who at 16 is oldest of the rally driver’s three children, will take the car up the mountain in a non-competitive ‘tribute run’ in June, and Hoonigan – the automotive lifestyle clothing and media brand started by her father – has hinted that a future entry into the famous hillclimb event could be on the cards.
“The tribute run will not be timed, as Lia admits that it will take a substantial amount of training to pilot a race car of that caliber up one of the world’s most intimidating hill climb races – something she aims to accomplish in the future,” said Hoonigan in a statement. “However, Lia’s goal for this year is to honor her father Ken Block’s vision of taking the Hoonipigasus to the top of Pikes Peak; while giving the fans the sights and sounds of the ultimate Porsche 911 racecar build.”
The Hoonipigasus – an amalgamation of Block’s Hoonigan brand, Mobil 1’s Pegasus motif, and the 1971 Porsche 917/20 “pink pig” that raced at Le Mans and provides the inspiration for the car’s livery – reportedly started life as a 1966 Porsche 912 and was built in collaboration with Porsche specialists BBi Autosport, which has been behind other Porsches that have raced at Pikes Peak in the past.
As well as the substantial ramp-up in power for the 911-derived four-liter twin-turbo flat-six – which is mid-mounted – and a drop in weight to just 1,000 kg thanks to extensive use of carbon fiber, the car also has suspension that is adjusted in real-time by GPS using data from previous Pikes Peak runs.
Ahead of the Pikes Peak appearance, the Hoonipigasus will be on display this Sunday at the Air | Water event at Luftgekuhlt 9 in Vallejo, CA, on Sunday, April 30.
Lia, meanwhile, has been carrying on her father’s legacy in motorsport with occasional appearances in Nitro Rallycross’ side-by-side class, and by contesting stage rallies in the U.S.
Last weekend she finished first in the Open 2-wheel-drive class and seventh overall at the Olympus Rally, driving a Subaru BRZ alongside Rhiannon Gelsomino. Her mother Lucy has also continued to compete in rallies, and finished fourth at Olympus in the Limited 4-wheel-drive class (10th overall) in a Ford Fiesta Rally3 alongside Alex Gelsomino, who was Ken Block’s co-driver for nearly two decades.
