Falken Tire Pikes Peak International

Falken Tire Pikes Peak International Hill Climb


Jesse James of Monster Garage spins up the mountain as the first run of the day, in his exhibition run in the Pikes Peak Int. Hill Climb.	I think Jesse spotted me, I was supposed to be in line with the rest of the reporters asking about his $3500 Blazer climbing the mountain.	"Don't get steamed, I didn't ask you about Sandra Bullock." Actually just a blown radiator reservoir after the stress of the climb.

Colorado Springs, CO, The 82nd running of the Race to the Clouds June 26th, was as usual a weather event. Since 1916, the second oldest motorsports event in the US, which runs on a 12-mile winding mountain road starting at 9,200 ft and ends at 14,110 at the summit of Pikes Peak. Jesse James of Monster Garage started the race with an exhibition in 15.05 minutes with his Eighties Chevy Blazer. The sports cars finished the first 1/2 of the race by noon, averaging in the 11-12 minute time, and then it snowed.

At 6 am that morning, Jesse road up to the starting line with us on the press bus. He was using a cane and hobbling around before the race, good thing the Blazer had an automatic. A unique part of the race was at the top, as one racer at a time climbed the mountain, they had to wait for the last car to go back down the mountain. So at the nice restaurant and gift shop on top of Pikes Peak where tourist from the Cog PP Railway shopped, we could have lunch with the racers. After the cars went back down, another weather front moved in and the snow stranded us on top.

Race officials decide to shorten the race to end below us. So the race went on as we sit on the peak and waited for the snowplows. Then when the race was over, we followed the snow plow back down 12 miles of switchbacks and no guard rails. The second 1/2 of the race had the trucks, SUV's and Semi-tractors, which I came to see. Oh well maybe next year.


A couple of helicopters followed Jesse to the top.	I didn't get inline for interviews, but	Traction and a short wheelbase helps.	Watch Jesse build it on the Discovery Channel


Second exhibition run was powered by propane.	The sports cars were all rear-wheel-drive and many were right hand steer.	This was what I wanted to cover, but I was snowed in on top.	Top Japanese drivers did a Drifting demonstration during the lunch break.


Yes on top of the mountain almost 3 miles in the air.	Tourist cogged up and down the mountain all day to the gift shop, most unaware an international race finish line was next door.	It's an awesome train ride from Manitou Springs to the summit of Pikes Peak.	After the snow storm, I should have taken the train down.


This is the fun part, the view. It's cool to look at clouds from above them.	You can see the Continental Divide and the mountain lakes where 5 rivers are born.