The 88th edition of the world famous Pikes Peak International Hill Climb will be staged on June 27, and another assault on the record books is in store for fans of the race.
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 88th running of the “Race to the Clouds.”
In 2010, the race will take place on Sunday, June 27 with race related events all week long. Registration and Tech are on Tuesday June 22 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Colorado Springs. Practice on the mountain takes place Wednesday, Thursday and Friday mornings. Friday evening June 25 is “Fan Fest” in downtown Colorado Springs, featuring 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.
Photo Credit: Mike Rogers
Saturday is the vintage car show and Sunday is race day. This year the race to the clouds will have 11 classes and features a variety of automotive, semi truck, exhibition, open wheel, super stock car, pro truck, vintage, and motorcycle classes with a field approaching 200 competitors.
Race fans can look for a repeat performance by the star-studded field of top international drivers, led by defending champion Nobuhiro Tajima, who won his fourth straight Unlimited division crown in 2009 with a clocking of 10:15.368. The Japanese ace prevailed over a pair of European rally car champions, a Ford Fiestas driven by Sweden’s Marcus Gronholm and Britain’s Mark Rennison in his Ford RS200. All three drivers, along with Andreas Eriksson, another Swedish Ford Racing Team driver, are expected back in June.
Vintage Division Automobiles
Rocky Mountain Vintage Racing will be fielding a Vintage Division in 2010. The date has been moved up to accommodate the paving plan on the mountain. This will be the last year to race the upper mountain’s dirt course.
Photo Credit: Mike Rogers
In 2009, six vintage division drivers added their names to the record books as hill climb rookies. Ten vintage autos ran including three Mustangs, three Falcons, a Corvette, a Oldsmobile Super 88, a Desoto Firedome 8 and a ‘71 Cuda and a new course record of 13:56 was set for the Vintage Division automobiles.
RMVR sponsors a car and bike show in Manitou Springs featuring vehicles from the vintage car and motorcycle divisions and local residents’ private vehicles. Manitou is a community nestled in the foothills just west of Colorado Springs. The setting for the show is in a park with plenty of shade, grass, music and food vendors. The ‘52 Desoto Hemi of Dean Smith and Frank McKinnon were show favorites in 2009, taking home a trophy for best racecar. The car show will be June 26, 2010.
Entry Information
The Vintage Division is open to only 20 cars in 2010 and early entry is encouraged. The entry schedule is:
| Early bird entry (prior to January 31, 2010): |
$900 |
| Normal Entry (February 1 through March 31, 2010): |
$1,000 |
| Late Entry Fee (April 1 through May 31, 2010): |
$1,100 |
Download the 2010 PPIHC Vintage Division Automobiles Race Entry Packet.
Racer Rebate Program
An entry fee rebate applies as the number of entries approaches 20. The more entrants the lower the cost. The rebate begins with the 11th entry and increases to the maximum number of 20. Rebates ranging from approximately $100 to $400 are anticipated based on the timing and number of entries received. Rebate checks will be mailed to entrants at the conclusion of the race. The more entries received, the lower the cost. This is your opportunity to become a part of history.
Pikes Peak Vintage Division Rules (Automobiles)
Revised September 9, 2009
1) Automobiles eligible for the Vintage Division must meet PPIHC and RMVR safety requirements. See www.PPIHC.com for required safety equipment.
2) Eligible cars must be capable of completing the PPIHC course in 15 minutes or less.
3) Eligible cars are those manufactured in 1980 or earlier and carry a body, frame, and chassis that are correct for the date of manufacture.
4) Eligible cars carry a pre-1981 power plant and driveline.
5) Automobiles with pre-1981 racing history shall be admitted preferentially to those without this history.
6) Other classes are available for automobiles that do not comply with these rules.
7) Vintage entries that do not meet these rules may have their application for entry declined or accepted at the sole discretion of the Chief of eligibility for the PPIHC Vintage Division.
Questions about the Vintage Division Rules? Contact Ralph Veit, 303-570-5307.
Accommodations
Race Central/ Registration/ Tech Inspection
Crowne Plaza Hotel
2886 S. Circle Drive
Colorado Springs, CO
719-576-5900
Directions: Take I-25 to Exit 29. Go east on Circle Drive 200 feet. The hotel is behind the Shell gas station on the north side of Circle Drive.
Manitou Springs Hotel
45 Manitou Ave.
Manitou Springs, CO
719-685-5455
Directions: Comfort Inn of Manitou: Take I-25 to Highway 24 West. Turn north on 35th Street, exit on 31st Street, go north one block, go west one and one half blocks, Comfort Inn on left.
Garden of Gods Campground
RVs, Pop-ups, and Cabin camping
3704 West Colorado Avenue
Colorado Springs, CO 80904
719-475-9450
Directions: Take I-25 to Highway 24 West. Turn north on 35th Street and then west on Colorado Avenue. Go to 37th Street and drive straight into the campground.
Additional information about Manitou Springs accommodations: Manitou Springs Chamber of Commerce (719-685-5089).
Additional information about Colorado Springs accommodations: Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce (719-635-1551).
For more information about the Hill Climb, visit Pikes Peak International Hill Climb
As in prior years, we are kicking off the racing season with our Fire & Rescue School (a.k.a. Crash & Burn School) on March 20 & 21. The Saturday and Sunday sessions will be in the classroom at North Washington Fire Department (8055 N. Washington Street, Denver <Map>).
For experienced drivers, workers, and crews, it’s great for removing the cobwebs of winter, having your questions answered and getting hands-on fire training and extrication practice. It’s a great chance to sit down and think about flag meanings, what workers do and why, etc. For novices it’s a great place to start. Professionals do all the emergency training.
