Skip advert
Advertisement

Beginners guide to the Pikes Peak Hill Climb 2013

With the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb taking place on Sunday 30 June, here's an evo guide to the legendary event.

Pikes Peak Hill Climb

What is it?

Dubbed The Race to the Clouds, the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb is an annual up-hill sprint on the 12.4-mile track, climbing 4720ft (1439m) at an average gradient of seven per cent. The summit’s altitude of 14,110ft (4301m) is not only a challenge for the drivers but the cars themselves due to the lower levels of oxygen in the air, which reduces power output.How did the Pikes Peak hill climb come about?

Advertisement - Article continues below

The second oldest race in North America (after the Indy 500), the Pikes Peak rally was founded in 1916 by Spencer Primrose, a road builder who had just finished widening the road and decided that a competitive event was the logical way of promoting it. Initially the climb consisted of approximately 70 per cent tarmac and 30 per cent gravel, however the remaining gravel sections were tarmacked over prior to the 2011 event. The climb starts on mile seven of the Pikes Peak Highway and continues to the summit. Since the course was completely tarmacked, times have naturally decreased, with the course record of 9:46 being set by Rhys Millen in a Hyundai Genesis Coupe last year. With the exception of the open-wheel class, all records for either motorbikes or cars, were set in 2011 or 2012.

Who takes part?

A variety of competitors from motorcycles, open cockpits, experimental hybrids and trucks to fully fledged works teams with household names, such as Peugeot’s unlimited class 208 T16 entry with nine-time World Rally champion Sébastien Loeb. The climb always takes place in the summer (on June 30 this year), and 170 competitors took part in last year’s event.

Where can I keep up-to-date?

Results updates and radio commentary are available from the official PPIHC event website.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

The new Mercedes-AMG G63 has arrived, and it still has a V8
Mercedes-AMG G63
News

The new Mercedes-AMG G63 has arrived, and it still has a V8

Some of Affalterbach’s range-toppers are swapping eight cylinders for four, but the AMG G-class retains its V8 for 2024
26 Mar 2024
Land Rover Defender OCTA: twin-turbo V8 and McLaren-style suspension tech for hot off-roader
Land Rover Defender OCTA – front
News

Land Rover Defender OCTA: twin-turbo V8 and McLaren-style suspension tech for hot off-roader

The OCTA promises to be the fastest, toughest and most capable Defender yet when it launches later this year
26 Mar 2024
The new Toyota GR Yaris costs £44,250 – too much for a hot supermini?
Toyota GR Yaris Gen 2 – front
News

The new Toyota GR Yaris costs £44,250 – too much for a hot supermini?

Our early impressions of the Gen 2 GR Yaris suggest that it’s an improvement in every area that counts, but can it be worth £18k more than an i20 N?
27 Mar 2024