HomeNews Pikes Peak International Hillclimb - 19 July 2009
Pikes Peak International Hillclimb - 19 July 2009
Pikes Peak record stays! Full Results and Photos! Video: Ford unveils new Rally Fiesta Entry List Marcus Grönholm going for new record in 800 BHP Ford Fiesta Videos and Details
Pikes Peak record stays!
The Pikes Peak International Hill Climb that concluded yesterday saw hold on to his 2008 record, despite earnest attempts by Ford and Marcus Gronholm to crack it. Ford, who had brought down two 800 bhp Ford Fiestas couldn't muster anything close to the 10 minute 01 second time that Tajima set in his Suzuki XL7 last year. Marcus suffered engine problems and a disintegrating rear tyre apart from the added weight of a co-driver - all of which eventually saw him register just 11 min 29 seconds around the course. His team mate, Swedish rallycross star Andreas Eriksson had an even worse outing, first crashing during the practice session and then again during the timed run. Another impressive performance came from Rhys Millen in his Hyundai Genesis in the 2wd category. He set a time of 10 min 15.3 seconds in the Genesis coupe, specially modified for the Hill Climb. In the end, Tajima in his 884 bhp, 2.7-litre turbo V6 powered Suzuki SX4 set a quicker time of 10 min 15 seconds, but still some 14 seconds off his last year's record. Gronholm, meanwhile vowed to come back next year and be better prepared to take on the Hill that has been the dream of many a famous rally driver.
Paul Dallenbach Returns to Pikes Peak for One Last Race to the Clouds Colorado Springs, CO - Paul Dallenbach of Basalt, Colorado, 3-time Overall Champion and 5-time Division Winner, will return to Pikes Peak this week for one last run in the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. Since 1989, Dallenbach has participated in the race an astounding 14 times and is considered one of the most popular racers. Racing in the Open Wheel Division, Dallenbach hopes to break the ten-minute barrier - a feat that has been attempted by many over the past couple years. Dallenbach's Number 98, open wheel car, owned by Leonard Arnold of Lyons, Colorado, is attempting to qualify and ultimately win the overall as the the fastest two-wheel drive vehicle in the pack, featuring a 850hp engine and weighing 1750 lbs. "The car is in top mechanical shape for the race thanks to Leonard and the Kidwell Family and we are going for the big win," says Dallenbach. A major change in this year's set up, leading Paul to believe he will accomplish his goal to break 10 minutes, are new tires. "We went with Kuhmo Tires this year because they are lighter and are a better pattern for the pavement part of the road," a confident Dallenbach said, "they should give us the speed we need to get up the hill in under ten." Factors such as altitude, weather, road conditions (paved and gravel), challenge even the most seasoned pros each year at the Hill Climb event. This year, nearly 200 competitors, including 12 defending champions, will make the daring trip uphill while thousands of spectators watch from the favorite perches within the trees of the Pikes Peak National Forest. About the PPIHC: The Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, also called the Race to the Clouds, scheduled for Sunday July 19, 2009, is the second oldest motor sports race in America (second only to the Indianapolis 500) and a long-standing tradition in Colorado Springs. First competed in 1916, this year marks the 87th running of the "Race to the Clouds." The race is run on a 12.42 mile course with 156 hairpin turns that begins at 9,390 feet and finishes at the 14,110 foot summit of America's Mountain, Pikes Peak. As the drivers climb toward the summit, the thin air has been known to slow reflexes and diminish muscle strength. The thin air also robs engines of 40% of their power at the summit. Competitors and vehicles must be in top shape simply to finish. This year the race has 11 classes and features a variety of automotive, semi truck, exhibition, open wheel, super stock car, pro truck and motorcycle classes with a field of nearly 200 competitors. Practice and qualifying takes place Wednesday through Friday from 5:30 to 8:30 am on Pikes Peak. The current record is 10:01.41 and was set by Nobuhiro Tajima in 2007.
FORD FIESTA RALLYCROSS CARS TO MAKE U.S. DEBUT AT PIKES PEAK INTERNATIONAL HILL CLIMB AS PART OF THE MOST EXCITING ASSAULT ON THE 10-MINUTE MARK IN THE EVENT’S HISTORY! Colorado Springs- May 27 – The new Ford Fiesta may not be hitting the streets of America officially until next year, but high-performance motorsport examples of the car will make their U.S. racing debut this summer when the Olsberg Motor Sport Evolution team from Sweden, managed by Andreas Eriksson, brings two new Fiesta Rallycross cars to compete in the 87th annual Pikes Peak International Hill Climb in Colorado Springs on July 19. The arrival of the Fiestas lays down the gauntlet related to the Peak record and sets up the most exciting head-to-head duel in the Unlimited Class in the history of the event. The two Fiestas will be driven by Eriksson and rally legend Marcus Grönholm in the Unlimited Class on Pikes Peak in a challenge to break the elusive ten-minute mark. Eriksson, 35, is a fourtime Swedish rally champion, with multiple Rallycross victories, and Grönholm, 41, is one of World Rallying’s greatest drivers, with two World Championships and 30 WRC victories. Japanese superstar Nobuhiro Tajima will be back again this year in his Suzuki Sport speed machine to go for the mark again, but this time, he faces the new and exciting challenge posed by the entry of the Fiesta and their super-star drivers. He clocked 10:18.250 last summer in his attempt to crack the barrier. But the trio will also face British Rallycross Champion Mark Rennison, a new entry who will bring his famous 1999 Ford RS200 to the Peak to square off with the three international drivers in the assault on the record. “The new Fiesta is an engaging, fun to drive car that is off to a very successful start in Europe and Asia,” said Jim Farley, group Vice-President, Ford Global Marketing and Communications. “Thanks to Andreas Eriksson, we’re able to introduce the Fiesta to racing fans in the United States at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb this summer, ahead of its launch in 2010.” Ford cars have been at Pikes Peak since the very first race in 1916, when four Ford-powered cars competed. In 1922, Ford scored its first victory when Noel Bullock took his 179ci, OHV, 50 hp Ford Special, nicknamed “Tin Lizzy” by the other competitors, to a surprise victory in the time of 19:50.9. “We’re pleased to have a top independent team like Olsbergs MSE coming to the U.S. with their Fiesta Rallycross cars to take on the challenge of Pikes Peak,” said Brian Wolfe, director, Ford North America Motorsports. “This will be a great chance for enthusiasts here to see in this unique setting what a lot of the rest of the world is already talking about – that the Fiesta is a great road car and a great race car.” After finishing second in the Swedish championship last year, Olsberg’s MSE team debuted its new Fiesta Rallycross car for this season's Swedish and European Rallycross championships, and it scored its first victory in just its second European championship event in Portugal this past month. The Olsbergs MSE Fiesta Rallycross car is based on both the Fiesta hatchback model road cars. The all-wheel-drive Fiestas are powered by a 2.0-liter Duratec Ford engine capable of more than 800 horsepower. The Fiesta Rallycross car's suspension system is the result of collaboration between Olsbergs Motor Sport Evolution, Öhlins and Ford of Europe's Team RS engineers, who are responsible for Ford’s FIA World Rally Championship program. “We worked night and day all winter to get the Fiesta ready on time for the European championships, and it was great to see it score a hard-earned victory in Portugal at the start of May,” said Eriksson. “We are excited to be bringing the car to Pikes Peak and to be able to see what it can do in such a unique competition. It’s a legendary event, and we’ve already been there to take a look at the challenge we will face. I’m convinced we’ll be a top contender to break the 10-minute mark and give the Fiesta a proper racing debut in the U.S.” Ford Racing North America, although not directly involved in the project, will assist the team with logistical support while it is in America.
The Pikes Peak International Hill Climb is America’s second-oldest motor sports race behind the Indianapolis 500, conducted since 1916. The race is run on a 12.42 mile course that begins at 9,390 feet and finishes at the 14,110-foot summit of America’s Mountain. This year's race has 11 classes and features a variety of automotive, semi truck, exhibition, open wheel, super stock car, pro truck and motorcycle classes with a field approaching 200 competitors. The event’s popular “Fan Fest,” which will attract some 35,000 fans and participants, is set for the evening of Friday, July 17, in downtown Colorado Springs. The crowds will be able to see some of the autos, trucks and motorcycles up close, meet the drivers, and enjoy music, food and entertainment. Tickets: http://www.ticketswest.com/ (866) 464-2626 General Admission - $40 (Race Day $45)
