2009 PPIHC: 14,110 Feet in Elevation, Here We Come

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Once again Doug Allen of Aspen, CO will tackle the Pike's Peak Int'l Hill Climb in Todd Landon's Gpysy Wind ('65 Mustang Shelby GT350R).

This year's Vintage Class has 11 entrants including Mustangs, Falcons a DeSoto, a Corvette and a Plymouth Barracuda. LCP competitors are: Doug Allen, Doug Mockett/Angelica Fuentes, Chip Johns and Chris Sayler. !Buena Suerte a todos!

Last year in the Vintage Class Mockett/Fuentes were victorious in their 1954 Oldsmobile Super88 with a time of 14:26.034.


Doug Allen in the Gypsy Wind, 2008 PPIHC.
Photos courtesy of Mike Rogers, 2008.

2008 PPIHC Blog:

http://funksterwtf.blogspot.com/2008/06/pointed-towards-pikes-peak-in-july.html

Pikes Peak International Hill ClimbRace Day - July 19, 2009 - "Race to the Clouds"

The Pikes Peak International Hill Climb is the second oldest motor sports race in America and a long-standing tradition in Colorado Springs and the Pikes Peak Region. First competed in 1916 and this year marks the 87th running of the "Race to the Clouds."

In 2009, the race will take place on Sunday, July 19 with race related events all week long. Fan Fest, on Friday, July 17 in downtown Colorado Springs, will feature motorcycle jumpers, two beer gardens, a chili cook-off, live bands and the Denver Bronco Cheerleaders and is expected to draw over 35,000 spectators.


The race is run on a 12.42 mile course with 156 turns that begins at 9,390 feet and finishes at the 14,110 foot summit of America’s Mountain; Pikes Peak! As the drivers climb toward the summit, the thin air slows reflexes and saps muscle strength. The thin air also robs engines of 30% of their power at the summit. Competitors and vehicles must be in top shape simply to finish...let alone win!


This year the race has 11 classes and features a variety of automotive, semi truck, exhibition, open wheel, super stock car, pro truck and motorcycle classes with a field approaching 200 competitors. Race Week begins Tuesday, July 14 with Tech Inspection at the Host Hotel – Crowne Plaza. Every vehicle undergoes a rigorous inspection with a concentration on safety issues. That evening there will be meetings for all the riders and drivers at the Crowne Plaza. Practice and qualifying takes place Wednesday through Friday from 5:30 to 8:30 am on Pikes Peak.

The current record is 10:01.41 and was set by Nobuhiro Tajima in 2007.

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