Pikes Peak International Hill Climb Returns for 101st Running

The world-renowned Pikes Peak International Hill Climb is returning for its 101st running on Sunday, June 25th.

This 12.42 mile ascent, also known as “The Race to the Clouds,” attracts challengers and spectators from all around the world, held annually on the last Sunday of June (minus a temporary break during both World Wars). Pikes Peak is situated in Colorado, just west of Colorado Springs.

The official Pikes Peak website has a handy list of different places you can tune in to watch and listen to the event. The venue also has its own YouTube channel where you’ll be able to catch highlights and special bits of content; and you can expect some of the various teams and competing manufacturers to publish their own videos as well.

For those not up to date on their Pikes Peak lore, we’ve put together a brief summary of what you need to know before catching it live this Sunday. From the history to the modern day expectations, this is Pikes Peak.

A Brief History

According to the official Pikes Peak website, which has a detailed dive into the history of the event, the race was originally held on August 10th, 11th and 12th in 1916, following an effort to convert the mountain’s carriage road into the Pikes Peak Highway the previous year, conducted by Colorado Springs benefactor Spencer Penrose. In fact, it’s said that the first hill climb challenge was done to publicize the new highway and Penrose’s Broadmoor Hotel. The original champion was Rea Lentz, completing the run in 20:55.600 in his Romano Special.

An impressive time over 100 years ago, but now pales in comparison to the most recent winners. The fastest time was set by Romain Dumas in 2018, making it to the top in 7:57.148 behind the wheel of a Volkswagen I.D. R Pikes Peak. The current motorcycle record is 9:44.963, held by Rennie Scaysbrook atop an Aprilia Tuono V4 1100– set back in 2019. There are a number of records that you can check out for yourself across various divisions.

The race starts at just over 9,300 ft of altitude, ending at 14,115 above sea level after the driver traverses all 156 turns over the 12.42 mile course. In the week leading up to the official event, teams compete in qualifying laps to prepare themselves and their cars for the official ascent. This year, the race will begin at 7:30 AM.

There’s a lot of great history to the event that’s worth reading up on, but that should give you a general idea of what the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb is about.

Noteworthy 2023 Competitors

The official site is kind enough to publish an entire page showcasing this year’s competitors, including their division, vehicle, and how many years they’ve competed at Pikes Peak.

Teams and automakers alike have been online promoting their presence at the event. Here are some that made us double-take.

Ford Transit Supervan

One of the most eye-catching competitors at this year’s hillclimb is Ford’s SuperVan 4.2. It is, of course, a refined version of the SuperVan 4, now putting out “only” 1,400 horsepower through three electric motors. It’s all-wheel drive, said to achieve an “optimal power-to-weight ratio” and rocks the latest Ford Performance livery. The colorful wrappings cover up the 4.2’s more aggressive aero, Ford claiming 4,400 pounds of downforce at 150 miles an hour.

To bolster the SuperVan’s chances, Ford has hired Romain Dumas as a driver. As a reminder, Dumas is the current record holder at Pikes Peak, laying down a blistering 7 minute 57 second run in the Volkswagen I.D. R. in 2018.

Hoonipigasus

In tribute to the late Ken Block, who died earlier this year, his daughter Lia will be completing an untimed exhibition run in the “Hoonipigasus” race car. “Hoonipigasus” is a 1,400 horsepower Porsche 912-based racer with a twin-turbo, 4-liter flat-six and all-wheel drive. Ken Block ran the car himself in last year’s hillclimb, but was unable to complete the event due to engine issues.

Block’s wife Lucy, also a rally driver, will be competing in the hillclimb in a Sierra Echo, a single-seat, electric open-wheel race car with 300 horsepower.

Acura

Acura is out in full force this year, running four different cars at Pikes Peak. The first is a modified Integra Type S race car, driven by Loni Unser of the legendary Unser family. A modified version of the standard Integra will also be competing, along with a TLX Type S and a heavily modified NSX Type S “Active Aero Study.” The NSX comes with a number of distinctive aero upgrades, as well as lightweight forged wheels and larger turbochargers.

There will also be a 2023 TLX Type S PMC Edition running as the official pace car, piloted by IndyCar driver David Malukas.

Dark Helmet

Well-known race car driver Randy Pobst will be making another run up Pikes Peak with Tesla tuners Unplugged Performance, back this year with an upgraded Model S Plaid called “Dark Helmet”. Modifications include carbon-ceramic brakes, Ohlins coilovers, and extensive aero upgrades.

Others

Pikes Peak has a lot of Porsche Caymans. In fact, there is a class specifically for them. The Porsche Pikes Peak Trophy by Yokohama includes six entrants, all of which are various Cayman race cars. You can see who’s climbing into the cockpit here.

BMW’s XM Label Red SUV will complete an untimed exhibition run. We covered the XM Label Red earlier this year: A utility powered by a high-revving V8 engine combined by an M HYBRID system, putting down 738 horsepower and 738 lb-ft of torque. The Label Red is all-wheel drive with a rear-biased system, riding along with standard M suspension and an electronically controlled M Sport differential lock.

Drifter Dai Yoshihara is competing in a modified Honda S2000, with a turbocharged 2.4 liter four-cylinder making 650 horsepower. The original six-speed manual has been replaced with a sequential gearbox.

Alpine is running a modified A110 in the event, distinguished by expansive aero elements across the body. Thanks to an improved air inlet, this A110 is said to have near 500 horsepower– not bad considering a total weight of 950 kilograms (almost 2,100 lbs).

Lastly, there’s a few runners in the exhibition class that caught our interest. For starters, rookie Gardner Nichols will drive the first-ever Rivian to compete, an R1T pickup modified with the proper safety equipment and Pirelli tires. This exhibition is sponsored by OPTIMA Batteries, also backing world-renowned driver Tanner Foust and his Radford Type 62-2 Pikes Peak Edition.

We can also expect to see Scott Birdsall of Chuckles Garage to be running a modified 1949 Ford F1 pickup, powered by a 6.7-liter turbocharged diesel engine. Birdsall holds the current Diesel Record, 11:24.065, set back in 2020. It’s joined by another Ford-based pickup, Robert Prilika’s 2023 Shelby Super Snake Sport.