Pikes Peak International Hill Climb photos (20 pics)

[2000750]

'm fortunate enough to have the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb a few hours away from my back yard. It's a unique, international event that draws all kinds of different competitors. This was the last year of the road being about half unpaved, and half paved. They start paving the rest of the course shortly after the race. While most people are disappointed to see the course going to full asphalt, I'm sure it will open the door to many more competitors which can't be a bad thing. Everyone suspected the much coveted 10:00 barrier would fall as soon as the course was partially paved, it took years before the 10 min barrier would be broken. I look forward to seen more records fall for years to come.

Watching from Devils Playground (16 mile marker) above 12,000 feet high.

IMG_1611 by berg2639, on Flickr

Devils Playground offers arguably the best view on the course as many lower sections can be seen from above looking down the hill.

IMG_1616 by berg2639, on Flickr

A long zoom is always better....right?

IMG_1648 by berg2639, on Flickr

Foreign hardware even makes the trip over the pond to take a lovely scenic drive up the hill.

IMG_1688 by berg2639, on Flickr

Jeff Zwart picked this Porsche GT2RS up at Porsche headquarters and drove it over 1100 miles to the hill climb before racing to the top setting a new class record. Not shabby for a stock car.

IMG_1708 by berg2639, on Flickr

To find the Monster, look for the dust.

IMG_1783 by berg2639, on Flickr

Visibly faster than the competition in every way - this was the year for Tajima - breaking his own record and setting a new unlimited class record of 9:51.

IMG_1801 by berg2639, on Flickr

Tajima was ecstatic for the record and donated all his winnings to Tsunami relief.

IMG_1805 by berg2639, on Flickr

[2000750]

Overheating by the time he reached the top of the mountain, Tajima left nothing on the hill, except for water dumping out the overflow.

IMG_1815 by berg2639, on Flickr

Millen suffered brake problems for the second year in a row. Sadly, it wasn't to be for him.

IMG_1866 by berg2639, on Flickr

This Triumph Speed Tripple was the first bike up the hill and offered an incredible sound.

IMG_1884 by berg2639, on Flickr

Chip Yates set new electric records on his 240hp electric superbike. At 14,000 feet, the electric superbike still makes 100% horsepower.

IMG_1886 by berg2639, on Flickr

No other way to put it...this...takes...balls.

IMG_1910 by berg2639, on Flickr

12,000 feet high and climbing while racing to the top - there's always time for a wheelie.

IMG_1921 by berg2639, on Flickr

Or a slide...

IMG_1990 by berg2639, on Flickr

Pretty enough not to need a caption

IMG_2014 by berg2639, on Flickr

[2000750]

While Carlin Dunne was a rookie, he schooled the competition in a fashion worthy of any veteran hill climb racer. His Multistrada was a stock dealership demo bike that will return to demo form once it gets back to the dealer.

IMG_2042 by berg2639, on Flickr

Not bad for a touring bike.

IMG_2045 by berg2639, on Flickr

While the cars battle the clock alone, the bikes are released in groups to race handlebar to handle bar all the way up the hill. 9 miles in, they're still this close to each other.

IMG_2064 by berg2639, on Flickr

WoooHooooo

IMG_2066 by berg2639, on Flickr

Thanks for viewing folks.

[Motif]

Very nice photos...

[Bluebeemer]

Very cool I would love to watch this race some day.

[Steve Evil]

Excellent photos. One of those must-do events, sadly I can't ever see me doing it, if I lived in the US however I'd make the pilgrimage.

[shavkatsi12]

Beauty... As said above, excellent pictures...