All About Pikes Peak International Hill Climb

The Pikes Peak International Hill Climb (PPIHC), also known as the "Race to the Clouds," is a motorsport event that has captivated enthusiasts for over a century. Since its inauguration in 1916, this competition has evolved dramatically, always reflecting the technological and cultural changes occurring worldwide.

Men against the mountain

The PPIHC was conceived by Spencer Penrose, who built the Pikes Peak Highway to promote his luxurious hotel in Colorado Springs. The first edition featured a 20-kilometer route, an elevation gain of over 1400 meters, and only allowed gasoline-powered cars. In this initial competition, Rea Lentz took the victory with a time of 20 minutes and 55.6 seconds, marking the beginning of a rich racing tradition.

The shadow of war

The event took a pause during World War II, from 1942 to 1945, due to gasoline and tire rationing restrictions. This interruption, however, did not extinguish the competitive spirit of the PPIHC, and the race resumed in 1946, attracting a new generation of competitors and followers.

Surface change: From gravel to asphalt

A notable feature of the PPIHC was its gravel and dirt road. This changed starting in 2002 when, due to an environmental lawsuit, a paving project began that was completed in 2011. This change transformed the PPIHC from a rally-style race to a hill climb more akin to a road ascent. Although controversial, this change has made the race more accessible to a variety of vehicles and has opened the door to new brands and technologies.

Heroes of the competition

Over the years, the PPIHC has seen several heroes emerge. In 1987, Walter Röhrl drove his Audi Quattro S1 to the top in less than 11 minutes, a time that remained unbeaten for over a decade. In 1994, Rod Millen set a new record in his Toyota Celica, which also lasted for more than 10 years. Another iconic driver is Nobuhiro Tajima, who in 2007 became the first driver to break the 10-minute barrier.

The era of electric cars

The introduction of electric cars has revolutionized the PPIHC. In 2015, Rhys Millen, son of Rod Millen, became the first winner in an electric vehicle. In 2018, Romain Dumas set a new absolute record in the Volkswagen I.D. R, a fully electric car, demonstrating that electric vehicles can outperform their gasoline counterparts in one of the toughest races in the world.

Today, the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb remains an important milestone in motorsports, a testing ground for automotive technology, and an exciting spectacle for fans. From the early daring pioneers to today's electric pioneers, the "Race to the Clouds" has been, and continues to be, a fascinating reflection of our time.