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The Pikes Peak International Hill Climb (PPIHC) is a legendary hill climb held annually in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. Also known as the "Race to the Clouds," it attracts riders and teams from around the world to take on the challenge of scaling the 14.115-foot (4,3 km) summit of Pikes Peak. Since its inception in 1916, the race has had a long tradition and is one of the oldest motorsport events in the United States. The route of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb extends over a length of 12,42 miles (almost 20 kilometers) and awaits the racers with over 156 curves. These face a variety of challenges, including steep climbs, tight hairpin turns, and fast descents.
Pikes Peak International Hill Climb
The route begins at an elevation of 9.390 feet (approximately 3 km) and takes riders all the way to the summit at 14.115 feet. The extreme altitude and attendant thin air poses an additional challenge for both drivers and vehicles. Over the years, the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb has attracted an impressive variety of vehicles and drivers. Racing cars, motorcycles, trucks and electric cars have already taken part in the race. The different vehicle classes have meant that the race is often referred to as a "battle of technologies", with drivers and teams looking for the fastest route to the summit.
One of the most famous vehicles to have competed in Pikes Peak is the Volkswagen ID.R, an all-electric racing car. In 2018, the ID.R with driver Romain Dumas set a new track record by completing the track in just 7 minutes and 57,148 seconds graduated Another unique feature of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb is the fact that the race takes place on public roads that are open to normal traffic the rest of the year. This means that the conditions on the route vary from year to year, depending on the weather and road conditions. Drivers must therefore constantly adapt and be prepared for the unexpected.
Motorsport event at Pikes Peak International Hill Climb
Overall, the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb is a unique and exciting motorsport event that poses a great challenge for both participants and spectators. It's a test of drivers, vehicles and technology that shows what's possible at the limit of performance. With its rich history and stunning backdrop of the Rocky Mountains, the race will continue to delight motorsport fans from around the world.
the current records at Pikes Peak (until 2021):
- Overall distance record: Volkswagen ID.R, Romain Dumas, 7:57,148 (2018) - electric vehicle
- Record for petrol-powered vehicles: Sébastien Loeb, Peugeot 208 T16 Pikes Peak, 8:13,878 (2013)
- Record for motorcycles: Carlin Dunne, Ducati Multistrada 1260 Pikes Peak, 9:59,102 (2018)
- Electric motorcycle record: Cody Webb, Zero SR/F, 11:19,243 (2020)
Events and happenings at Pikes Peak
There have been a number of notable events and happenings at Pikes Peak over the years. Here are some of them:
- The foundation of the race: Established in 1916, the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, also known as the "Race to the Clouds," is the second oldest motorsport event in the United States, surpassed only by the Indianapolis 500.
- Unyonsan record drive: In 1988, Japanese racer Nobuhiro "Monster" Tajima set his first record at Pikes Peak driving a Mazda 323 4WD Turbo. He later dominated the race, setting a new record of 2011:4 in 9 on a Suzuki SX51,278 Hill Climb Special.
- Ari Vatanen's Climb Dance: In 1988 Finnish rally driver Ari Vatanen won the race in a Peugeot 405 T16 and was captured in the famous short film 'Climb Dance' which showcases his driving skills and the beauty of the route.
- Sébastien Loeb's record run: In 2013, French rally driver Sébastien Loeb set an impressive record of 8:13,878, which stood until 2018. Loeb drove a Peugeot 208 T16 Pikes Peak.
- Electrical dominance: In 2018, the Volkswagen ID.R, an all-electric race car, with Romain Dumas at the wheel, set the overall course record of 7:57,148, demonstrating the dominance of electric vehicles at Pikes Peak.
- Carlin Dunne's tragic accident: In 2019, motorcycle racer Carlin Dunne died in an accident just before the finish line. Dunne was a four-time Pikes Peak motorcycle champion and held the 2018 motorcycle record.
There are many other exciting events and stories surrounding the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, but this list highlights some of the most significant and memorable happenings in the history of the race.
Of course, that wasn't the end of it!
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