The 2024 Amelia Concours will feature a Pikes Peak class at the annual Florida event. Stroll through the grounds and take a trip through the history of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb beginning with a 1918 Pierce Arrow, turned race car, owned by Spencer Penrose. This beauty raced for eight years in the PPIHC. The best time clocked was in 1932 - 19:59.9. | |
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Check out Bobby Unser's open wheel car from 1958. A second Unser entry is the Speedway Chevrolet that Bobby's son, Robby, drove to victory in 1994, winning the Open Wheel division and setting a division record. | |
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Layne Schranz who competed for 29 years will be on hand displaying his 2016 Chevrolet SS. Schranz has four division wins on Pikes Peak.
He is a second-generation racer on the mountain, following in the footsteps of his father, Hall of Famer and 40 year competitor, Randy Schranz.
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Other noteworthy race cars entered include Ray Evernham's 1936 Chevrolet Sedan, Peter Cunningham's three-time division winning Acura TLX GT, the Brumos Porsche GT2 RS Clubsport driven by David Donohue, and Michele Mouton's winning Audi. | |
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FRAMEABLE MOMENTS
WITH LARRY CHEN
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"Sometimes my favorite photos of these incredible race cars are when they are going back downhill slowly after a practice run. The clouds that morning were absolutely perfect, and it made for the most beautiful sunrise."
-Larry Chen
Pictured: Pikes Peak Open competitor, Matus Huska, in his 2010 Audi TTS
by Larry Chen
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2024 PPIHC POSTER ART CONTEST | |
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The 2024 Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, brought to you by Gran Turismo has announced a call for entries to local artists for the annual Poster Art Contest. The theme for this year's race is "Often Challenged. Rarely Conquered." Entries may be submitted through March 31, 2024. The winner will be chosen in mid-April.
The artist selected will receive a $1,000 cash prize, two VIP tickets to the 2024 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb on June 23, and more. A "People's Choice" award of $250 will also be given following a fan vote on PPIHC social media. Four "Honorable Mention" submissions will also be announced.
The 2023 winning entry, (pictured above), Generations, was awarded to Patricia Samora.
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Q: Who won the first of his two King of the Mountain titles 50 years ago?
A. Al Unser
B. Ted Foltz
C. Errol Kobilan
D. Bill Brister
Keep reading to find the answer.
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Berton Groves
Bert Groves was the first Black racer on Pikes Peak making his rookie attempt in 1954 in the Open Wheel division. His first finish was in 1956 when he reached the summit in 17:21.40 for 18th place (pictured left with Louis J. Unser, brother of Bobby, Al and Jerry Unser.) With a DNF the following year in his Open Wheel racer, he decided to make a switch to the Stock Car division in 1959. He finished 8th in a Plymouth (pictured below). His 1960 run in the same car is listed as a DNF. Back in the Open Wheel division in 1962 and '63 he finished 16th and 23rd, respectively.
David Bachoroski tested cars on Pikes Peak for the General Motors Testing Center in Manitou Springs for over 30 years and is a member of the PPIHC Hall of Fame. He recalls, "You would never meet a nicer gentleman than Bert Groves. He lived in Manitou Springs with his wife and daughters and was the owner of Groves Excavating. He was always willing to help out others, and is still missed by all who knew him."
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Michael Pettiford
Michael Pettiford has been racing since he entered his first SCCA Solo event in 1974, finishing 1st in Autocross, Class H. In 1979 he was the CDBA Superbike Class Champion and began a very successful career in motorcycle roadracing, drag racing, endurance and ice racing. His on-track achievements extended to SCCA Club and Pro racing where he has gathered both regional and national championships - a total of 55.
Pettiford entered the Motorcycle Superbike - 1205 division in 2009 on his 2009 Buell XB12TT. He finished 4th in the division with a time of 15:01.307.
Since 1985, Pettiford has also operated Go 4 It Racing School in Louisville, Colorado. Recognized as a high performance safety and racing school, Pettiford's Go 4 It program specializes in basic through competition techniques for cars, motorcycles, trucks and RV, there are also SuperSafety street courses for everyday driving.
When asked what advice he has for someone interesting in a career in racing, Pettiford offered, "Just do it. There are lots of people who think about it and find reasons not to...like it’s too expensive. It can be, but it doesn’t have to be. Start with road racing. It’s the real deal. If you can road race, you can do any type of racing. Get on a track and get some wheel-to-wheel experience."
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Robb Holland
Robb Holland first raced on Pikes Peak in the 100th Anniversary event in 2016 when he entered the Time Attack 1 division in a 2013 Audi TTRS finishing 4th in 10:56.878 and setting the Front-Wheel Drive record which stood for two years. Holland has raced for seven years on the mountain in three divisions. His best time was set in 2023 in the Pikes Peak Open division in a 2022 Porsche GT4 RS Clubsport in 10:37.499. Holland shared, "I am really looking forward to running the Pikes Peak GT4 Trophy by Yokohama division this year. It's such a great class of race cars that are nearly identical to the road cars."
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Sterling Chase
Sterling Chase is one of the biggest PPIHC fans ever. With his signature Afro and his cowbells in hand, his nickname 'FroBell,' is a tribute to his enthusiasm and encouragement of every competitor on the mountain. More than a fan, Chase is a top crew member and now a car owner. "What drew me to Pikes Peak? Actually it started when I was watching all the old Group B Rally videos like 'Too Fast To Race.' There was a segment they touched on about the Pikes Peak Hill Climb. I was shocked to find this out, living in Colorado Springs. So now 25 years later, I have my own car going up for the first time this year with Jack Penley behind the wheel. I am just super blessed!"
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2/10 - Joyce Thompson Ford - First woman to race on Pikes Peak and PPIHC Hall of Fame member
2/15 - Mary Barker - 2024 PPIHC Rookie - Unlimited Division
2/19 - Kendall Samuel - 2023 Unlimited competitor, returning in 2023 with fiancée, Mary Barker, also racing in the PPIHC.
2/20 - Bobby Unser - 10-Time PPIHC King of the Mountain, set five consecutive course records. Three-time Indy 500 champion.
2/23 - Christopher du Bois - 2024 PPIHC Rookie - Time Attack 1 division
2/26 - Stefano d'Aste - 2024 PPIHC Rookie - Pikes Peak Open division
2/26 - Sebastien Loeb - King of the Mountain, 2013 - First competitor to clock a time under 9 minutes. 8:13.878
2/28 - Mario Andretti, Wins at the Indy 500 and on Pikes Peak in 1969.
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George Menzer
September 18, 1937 ~ February 7, 2024
George Menzer raced in the 1960 PPIHC in the Sports Car Division, Group 1 class. It is possible he is pictured in this race week photo of sports cars staged at Glen Cove. His only race was in 1960 in his #7 Corvette. Unfortunately, he crashed during the event. An unknown photographer captured this shot of George's overturned race car. Can any race fans identify the man standing on the car as George or a race official? Reply here.
George served in the US Army, and was a Colorado Springs Firefighter. Thank you for your selfless service and your enthusiasm for the PPIHC.
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PPIHC VIP TRAVEL PACKAGES | |
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Experience the 102nd Running of the PPIHC in style and luxury.
Accommodations at The Broadmoor,
private practice session viewing,
meet-and-greet opportunities,
exclusive transportation,
and a once-in-a-lifetime Race Day adventure,
including a trip to the summit via
the Cog Railway to witness racing history!
3- and 4-day VIP Travel Packages
This adventure is limited to 12 guests.
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The Porsche GT2 RS Clubsport will be on display at the Amelia Concours - February 29 through March 3, 2024. | | |
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PPIHC TRIVIA ANSWER: C
Errol Kobilan of Colorado Springs won the first of his two King of the Mountain titles in 1974. His second crown came in 1978. Kobilan recently announced he has plans to part with his beloved racer which last competed on Pikes Peak in 1997 during the 75th Anniversary celebration. His race car, built by Gene Podoll and raced by Louis Unser and Grier Manning, harkens back to the days of a dusty gravel course!
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Sign up for the Kroger/King Soopers/City Market Community Rewards Program! As a non-profit organization, the PPIHC can now benefit from program donation. Through the program, King Soopers donates millions of dollars each year to non-profits. It does not cost you any extra money – all you have to do is link your rewards card to PPIHC and use it when you shop. If you’re a King Soopers or City Market shopper with a rewards card, and wish to participate, here are step-by-step instructions on how to join:
Log in to your King Soopers or City Market account, or create an account, by following these links:
King Soopers Shoppers - Enroll HERE
City Market Shoppers - Enroll HERE
Go to your account page and click on “Community Rewards”
Enter “Pikes Peak International Hill Climb” or “CF586” and ENROLL.
After enrolling, you will help earn a donation for PPIHC when you shop with your King Soopers card. Thank you!
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PPIHC License Plates Available in Colorado | Live in Colorado? Join more than 1,200 locals who are already displaying their love of the PPIHC. Order this special license plate at the DMV. Yes, you can personalize it! | |
Photo credits: Larry Chen, Jason Zindroski, Louis Yio, Michael Pettiford, Josh Hildenbrand, PPIHC Archives. | | | | |
