Any members have experience with Pikes Peak Hill climb?

OnyxRider · #1 (**permalink**) 09-25-2013, 02:11 PM

Pikes Peak Hill climb is one that I never attended or participated in. If I had it would have been 30 years ago.

Just wondering if any members have any experience in this run and wish to share.

Peace

BBQCYCLEWERKES · #2 (**permalink**) 09-26-2013, 07:54 AM

Yes, I ran Pikes Peak from 1988 to 1992. Won the race in 1992 with Ralph Bruning as my driver. Did T&D for Buick Motorsports and ran the V-6 Buick platform. Great race with lots of spectator areas to watch the race. Upper half has the best viewing areas. Devils playground was the most popular. Car was in the Pikes Peak museum until it closed. Now displayed at Al Unsers museum here in Albuquerque. Message me with any questions.

twobjshelbys · #3 (**permalink**) 09-26-2013, 05:41 PM

It used to be dirt for a big portion. They paved the entire road last year or the year before

mickmate · #4 (**permalink**) 09-26-2013, 08:12 PM

Look up Randy Schranz, I think he's run that car on propane up the hill!
Driven Imagery | Pikes Peak Open | 17 Randy Schranz - 2012 Shelby Cobra - #03

BBQCYCLEWERKES · #5 (**permalink**) 09-27-2013, 07:39 AM

Lots of youtube videos of the races held there. google Pikes Peak Hill Climb video and you'll see lots of action including accidents. Race just isn't the same now that they paved the road. Lots of history around this race. 2nd oldest race in the U.S. behind Indy. Pikes Peak is also known as Unsers Mountain as the family has won the race around 20 times.

OnyxRider · #6 (**permalink**) 10-01-2013, 06:06 PM

YEah the Unsers use to kick ass. I thought about running in it back in the late 70's early 80's but never had the time. I'm sure the rules are very cumbersome. lol I did see an electric racer that kicked ass though.

BBQCYCLEWERKES · #7 (**permalink**) 10-02-2013, 09:06 AM

Road was all dirt back when I raced there. Alot diff then pavement. Mario Andretti raced there once but never again. Mario stated you have to be crazy to race there. Check out the youtube video of Bobby Register going off the mountain backwards. I remember during practice in 1989 a newcomer went off the road around Devils Playground. He was stuck in a snow plow pile of snow with the car 1/2 over the cliff. He was quickly chained down as practice wasn't stopped. He had to stay inside the car until practice was over to be pulled out. He never came back to practice the next day and didn't show up to race either. Yea, the Unser's were the bomb when it came to Pikes Peak. You should come to Albuquerque and see Al's museum. Lots of Pikes Peak pics and history there along with the family Indy wins. Great place to visit and Al, if there, will always give personal tours and photo opportunities. He even has an Excabibur Cobra there that I think he got for winning one of the many races he won.