The Pikes Peak International Hill Climb has revealed the date for the 101st Running of the Race to the Clouds. On Sunday, June 25, 2023, drivers and fans will converge on Pikes Peak – America’s Mountain as the racing world focuses on following the action up the 12.42-mile course, through 156 turns to the 14,115’ summit.
First contested in 1916 by Colorado Springs entrepreneur and businessman, Spencer Penrose, the race is known as the second oldest auto race in the United States. Interrupted by World War I and World War II, and postponed twice due to a wildfire and the COVID-19 pandemic, this world-renowned motorsports event is an iconic symbol of endurance, drawing competitors and media attention from around the world.
“This race is an event like no other,” shared Fred Veitch, board chairman. “Many drivers list the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb at the top of their bucket list and are eager to accept the challenge. Others have competed for more than 20 years and keep coming back. We are really excited to see what the next century of hill climb racing on Pikes Peak will look like as we prepare for the 101st Running next summer.”
Pikes Peak – America’s Mountain has long been utilized as a proving ground for emerging automotive technology from the early days of front-wheel drive, to improvements in braking systems and fluids, to today’s state-of-the art electric vehicle designs.
The current course record of 07 minutes, 57.148 seconds was set in 2018 by Frenchman Romain Dumas in a purpose-built, all electric 2018 Volkswagen I.D. R – an effort spanning only nine months from concept to creation.