Live thread: 2023 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb

Colin Wood Associate Editor
6/5/23 11:44 a.m.

Always wondered what a van would look like competing at Pikes Peak? Wonder no more.

Photography Credit: Rupert Berrington

The Ford Supervan 4 is making the climb this year, apparently.

kevinatfms GRM+ Memberand HalfDork
6/5/23 12:18 p.m.

Colin Wood said:
Always wondered what a van would look like competing at Pikes Peak? Wonder no more.

The Ford Supervan 4 is making the climb this year, apparently.

Be creative, live a fun life and don't be a shiny happy person.

That looks incredible.

Colin Wood Associate Editor
6/5/23 1:03 p.m.

In reply to kevinatfms :

Agreed. I'll take 2.

Keith Tanner GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
6/5/23 1:10 p.m.

Made me look up the previous Supervans. I was aware of them, but didn't know much about them. The first one was a GT40 wearing a van as a hat! Second was a Group C racer underneath.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/qg6WdboK1nY?rel=0&start=93

Keith Tanner GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
6/5/23 1:22 p.m.

Here's Supervan 4 at another well-known hillclimb.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/L6YJi9ul_pY?rel=0&start=332

thatsnowinnebago GRM+ Memberand UberDork
6/5/23 6:17 p.m.

Hell yeah Supervan

David S. Wallens Editorial Director
6/6/23 10:24 a.m.

And props to Rupert for getting that photo to us.

APEowner GRM+ Memberand UltraDork
6/6/23 10:47 a.m.

thatsnowinnebago said:
Hell yeah Supervan

That would be a cool subcategory at the Challenge.

David S. Wallens Editorial Director
6/6/23 11:25 a.m.

APEowner said:
thatsnowinnebago said:
Hell yeah Supervan

That would be a cool subcategory at the Challenge.

We’ve already had the Batvan.

(Seriously, if you bring it, we’ll welcome it.)

msterbeau Reader
6/6/23 2:43 p.m.

Colin Wood said:
Always wondered what a van would look like competing at Pikes Peak? Wonder no more.

Photography Credit: Rupert Berrington

The Ford Supervan 4 is making the climb this year, apparently.

"Van". :-)

Kevin_at_BW GRM+ Memberand New Reader
6/13/23 4:08 p.m.

I think we found a van that is less "transit" than our bmw is "e36". The Supervan being in our class and piloted by THE Romain Dumas himself will definitely spice things up. It certainly accelerates as hard as you'd imagine an AWD, 2000hp, electric...van can. I have video, just not sure the best way to share it here.

Kevin_at_BW GRM+ Memberand New Reader
6/13/23 4:13 p.m.

BTW, we have been posting updates all throughout the last two test weeks and we'll continue through race week! You can follow along on BimmerWorld's Facebook and Instagram - @bimmerworld

https://www.youtube.com/embed/8tY_A4h0DX4?rel=0

nocones GRM+ Memberand PowerDork
6/13/23 4:36 p.m.

In reply to Kevin_at_BW :

I drooled on this car at PRI. So awesome. Good luck on the mountain.

Keith Tanner GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
6/13/23 4:55 p.m.

Kevin_at_BW said:
I think we found a van that is less "transit" than our bmw is "e36". The Supervan being in our class and piloted by THE Romain Dumas himself will definitely spice things up. It certainly accelerates as hard as you'd imagine an AWD, 2000hp, electric...van can. I have video, just not sure the best way to share it here.

Roman definitely knows his way up the hill.

Good luck! I can clearly tell from the taillights that your BMW is an E36. That and headlights are all you really need.

Kevin_at_BW GRM+ Memberand New Reader
6/14/23 10:52 a.m.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/V5H9oQqBdgk?rel=0

How about hitting random ice spots at speed with 1500hp under your right foot? Looks like fun, right?

californiamilleghia UberDork
6/14/23 1:44 p.m.

did Pikes Peak get the snow and hail that pounded lots of Colorado etc ?

Keith Tanner GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
6/14/23 3:29 p.m.

In reply to californiamilleghia :

I don't know about Pikes Peak specifically, but it was a heavy snow year. We still have ice on the lakes at 10,000'. This was last weekend, and I took the picture standing on a 10' snow pile.

Kevin_at_BW GRM+ Memberand New Reader
6/14/23 4:30 p.m.

It snowed at the top section almost every single day we were out there testing between 6/1-6/4 and 6/8-6/11. We were the only group that found a small gap in the snow/ice last Friday morning that allowed us to run on the top section. Other than that day it was closed for testing and the groups got split up between the lower/mid section or for the first week of testing it was only the lower section open due to weather. We are REALLY crossing our fingers that race week stays clear so we can run to the top.

Last year the entire week leading up to race day was absolutely perfect and then race day was cold, rainy, snowy, foggy, and even though we did go to the summit it was at a extremely slow pace due to visibility. PLEASE let race day be clear!

https://www.youtube.com/embed/jLJ3Q8J7fe0?rel=0

Colin Wood Associate Editor
6/15/23 9:15 a.m.

Acura just announced the Integra Type S will be making its motorsport debut at Pikes Peak, alongside NSX Type S "Active Aero Study," Integra 1.5T, TLX Type S and TLX Type S PMC Edition. (Photography Courtesy Acura)

HPD Integra Type S (Loni Unser–Exhibition)

Custom hood
Custom front splitter
Custom Swan-Neck Carbon Fiber Rear Wing
Borla exhaust
19-inch Titan 7 wheels
Yokohama Advan A005 tires

HART NSX Type S Active Aero Study (James Robinson–Time Attack 1)

Custom front splitter, rear diffuser and active aero rear wing
Larger turbochargers
Enhanced engine management software
Weight reduction of more than 200 lbs.
Lightweight HRE forged wheels
Yokohama Advan A005 tires

HART Integra 1.5T (Paul Hubers–Exhibition)

Bilstein dampers
Eibach springs
HPD TCA suspension kit
Cusco Racing LSD
Lightweight 18-inch HRE forged wheels
Yokohama Advan A005 tires
HPD billet engine mounts
Borla exhaust
Aero undercover
OMP racing seat, steering wheel and safety harness

HART TLX Type S (Jordan Guitar–Exhibition)

Larger turbocharger
Additional engine cooling
Retuned engine, transmission and SH-AWD® system software
Suspension lowered 1-inch
Race-compound brake pads
Lightweight 19-inch HRE forged wheels
Yokohama Advan A005 tires
Weight reduction of more than 600 lbs.
Carbon fiber hood
Composite front splitter, rear wing and dive planes

TLX Type S PMC Edition (David Malukas–Official Pace Car)

Colin Wood Associate Editor
6/21/23 10:29 a.m.

Just giving this a bump since the event is this weekend.

Colin Wood Associate Editor
6/21/23 3:20 p.m.

Just got a fresh (virtual) stack of photos from Rupert Berrington from day 1 practice and qualifying:

Photography Credit: Brian Chapel

Photography Credit: Rupert Berrington

Photography Credit: Brian Chapel

Photography Credit: Vlad Tyeryekhov

Purple Frog (Forum Supporter) GRM+ Memberand Dork
6/21/23 6:30 p.m.

Some of the coolest machines on the planet. Interesting designs when rules don't get in the way.

gumby GRM+ Memberand Dork
6/21/23 9:10 p.m.

I spy a former USAC Gold Crown car in there. Neat.

MyMiatas HalfDork
6/21/23 10:09 p.m.

Keith Tanner said:
In reply to californiamilleghia :

I don't know about Pikes Peak specifically, but it was a heavy snow year. We still have ice on the lakes at 10,000'. This was last weekend, and I took the picture standing on a 10' snow pile.

Is it worth to go and actually see the race? Or is it way to crowded to enjoy it?

And was that photo taken up on the Mesa?

Purple Frog (Forum Supporter) GRM+ Memberand Dork
6/21/23 10:24 p.m.

I drove to the top May 8th on dry pavement. I don't know how much snow they have had since then. Looks like it rained before some of the pictures in above posts.

Keith Tanner GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
6/22/23 11:33 a.m.

MyMiatas said:
Keith Tanner said:
In reply to californiamilleghia :

I don't know about Pikes Peak specifically, but it was a heavy snow year. We still have ice on the lakes at 10,000'. This was last weekend, and I took the picture standing on a 10' snow pile.

Is it worth to go and actually see the race? Or is it way to crowded to enjoy it?

And was that photo taken up on the Mesa?

It's definitely worth going to see it. The viewing area is pretty much the entire mountainside, so it's not crowded. Last time I went, I watched from Devil's Playground and you get a really good view. You can even spot the start line from there.

Logistically it's a bit of a pain - you have to drive up when the mountain opens (around 2 or 3 AM) and you're there for the day because your way out is the course. Expect weather. Bring food and water and anything you'll need. You can't begin to leave until all the race cars have finished running up - and then they slowly drive down. The exit takes forever, because as soon as the race cars get to the pit area they totally clog up the road and everything stops. A roomy vehicle makes life so much nicer - we were in our Westfalia, so we were comfortable sleeping after the drive up. When the race got red flagged for a while due to weather, we were making s'mores and reading comfortably while others were huddled in the front seat of pickups.

The Miata photo was taken at Island Lake on the Mesa.

DirtyBird222 PowerDork
6/22/23 2:03 p.m.

Kevin_at_BW said:
I think we found a van that is less "transit" than our bmw is "e36". The Supervan being in our class and piloted by THE Romain Dumas himself will definitely spice things up. It certainly accelerates as hard as you'd imagine an AWD, 2000hp, electric...van can. I have video, just not sure the best way to share it here.

Shouldn't your handle be "The Kevin_at_BW"? Just like The James Clay?

Agree, not much of a van, more of an Egg with the front bumper and rear roof rails of a transit.

Colin Wood Associate Editor
6/24/23 8:51 a.m.

2023 #Fast15 Qualifiers presented by OPTIMA Batteries;

Robin Shute / 3:24.711 / Unlimted / 2018 Wolf TSC-FS
Romain Dumas / 3:39.939 / Pikes Peak Open / 2023 Ford Performance SuperVan 4
James Clay / 3:47.089 / Pikes Peak Open / 1995 BMW M3
Raph Astier / 3:51.872 / Pikes Peak Open / 2018 Alpine A110 GT4 Evo
Codie Vahsholtz / 3:52.816 / Open Wheel / 2013 Ford Open Vahsholtz Custom
David Donohue / 3:53.618 / Time Attack 1 / 2019 Porsche GT2 RS Clubsport
Dan Novembre / 3:57.636 / Unlimited / 2013 Wolf GB08S TC Special
Swan Motorsports / 4:01.501 / Unlimited / 2006 Swift 16
Tanner Foust / 4:03.677 / Exhibition / 2023 Redford Type 62-2
Randy Pobst / 4:04.561 / Exhibition / 2021 Tesla Model S Plaid
Jeff Zwart / 4:05.103 / Time Attack 1 / 2019 Porsche 935/19
Sylas Montgomery / 4:05.374 / Open Wheel / 2007 MFG Road Course Sprint Car
Jimmy Ford / 4:09.419 / Pikes Peak Open / 1994 Ford Bronco
Don Wickstrum / 4:10.404 / Unlimited / 2016 Axel Riley Ave LMP3
James Robinson / 4:13.363 / Time Attack 1 / 2022 Acura NSX

2023 PPIHC Run Order (PDF)
Note: The last three cars to start because of problems in qualifying

Colin Wood Associate Editor
6/24/23 9:10 a.m.

And how about another batch of awesome photos?

Photography Credit: Vlad Tyeryekhov

Photography Credit: Rupert Berrington

Photography Credit: Brian Chapel

Photography Credit: Rupert Berrington

Photography Credit: Vlad Tyeryekhov

Photography Credit: Brian Chapel

Jim Pettengill HalfDork
6/24/23 12:13 p.m.

Outstanding photos! I covered the event for GRM for 19 years, so I know where every one of those was taken, and they are really terrific!

Everyone should go to this event at least once, it's amazing, but plan to spend the whole day, and be prepared for all possible weather and for a LONG delay on the way down after the event is over. I preferred it when it was all dirt, but progress happens, it's still way cool. Go Randy!

Andy Hollis
6/25/23 8:26 a.m.

Reports on social media of massive line to get on the mountain...spectators and competitors both. New electronic waivers slowing things down because folks didn't do their homework so others are stuck behind. Word is there's a delayed start as a result.

bumpsteer Reader
6/25/23 5:05 p.m.

Colin Wood said:
2023 #Fast15 Qualifiers presented by OPTIMA Batteries;

Robin Shute / 3:24.711 / Unlimted / 2018 Wolf TSC-FS

Romain Dumas / 3:39.939 / Pikes Peak Open / 2023 Ford Performance SuperVan 4

James Clay / 3:47.089 / Pikes Peak Open / 1995 BMW M3

Raph Astier / 3:51.872 / Pikes Peak Open / 2018 Alpine A110 GT4 Evo

Codie Vahsholtz / 3:52.816 / Open Wheel / 2013 Ford Open Vahsholtz Custom

David Donohue / 3:53.618 / Time Attack 1 / 2019 Porsche GT2 RS Clubsport

Dan Novembre / 3:57.636 / Unlimited / 2013 Wolf GB08S TC Special

Swan Motorsports / 4:01.501 / Unlimited / 2006 Swift 16

Tanner Foust / 4:03.677 / Exhibition / 2023 Redford Type 62-2

Randy Pobst / 4:04.561 / Exhibition / 2021 Tesla Model S Plaid

Jeff Zwart / 4:05.103 / Time Attack 1 / 2019 Porsche 935/19

Sylas Montgomery / 4:05.374 / Open Wheel / 2007 MFG Road Course Sprint Car

Jimmy Ford / 4:09.419 / Pikes Peak Open / 1994 Ford Bronco

Don Wickstrum / 4:10.404 / Unlimited / 2016 Axel Riley Ave LMP3

James Robinson / 4:13.363 / Time Attack 1 / 2022 Acura NSX

2023 PPIHC Run Order (PDF)
Note: The last three cars to start because of problems in qualifying

Be creative, live a fun life and don't be a shiny happy person.

Does #13 say 1994 Ford Bronco???

Andy Hollis
6/25/23 5:11 p.m.

Amazing day of record-breaking. Soooo many below 9:30.

All the crappy weather from the last two years was repaid today. Gorgeous.

Keith Tanner GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
6/25/23 5:14 p.m.

In reply to bumpsteer :

Yes. And it's been there before.

https://www.thedrive.com/news/this-ford-bronco-bronczilla-race-truck-shows-why-pikes-peak-is-still-great

bumpsteer Reader
6/25/23 6:30 p.m.

Keith Tanner said:
In reply to bumpsteer :

Yes. And it's been there before.

https://www.thedrive.com/news/this-ford-bronco-bronczilla-race-truck-shows-why-pikes-peak-is-still-great

That thing is fast, 10:07!

DirtyBird222 PowerDork
6/27/23 9:49 a.m.

Andy Hollis said:
Reports on social media of massive line to get on the mountain...spectators and competitors both. New electronic waivers slowing things down because folks didn't do their homework so others are stuck behind. Word is there's a delayed start as a result.

Champcar does electronic waivers. People do their homework and sign them before. Their system is often the culprit for issues. I'd imagine it's probably a combo of both given how not robust some of those systems are.

Colin Wood Associate Editor
6/29/23 11:26 a.m.

Not sure if anyone had seen this yet, so I figured I'd share it here. Glad to see that he made it out okay.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/SNiu4oWAueg?rel=0

From the video description:

Play by Play:

Coming into lightning corner, I lifted to neutral throttle, went to set into the corner with the brakes, and the pedal instantly went to the floor with zero effort. I frantically pumped the brakes, and you can hear the throttle change slightly as I do this because the brake pedal was so far down on the floor, my boot cut suit leg was catching the throttle. I knew there was way too much momentum (you can see this in the first clip) to make the corner, so I tried to hook the ditch, and that was too aggressive as it just shot the truck in the air and went off. Probably a good thing, as the farther you get around the corner, the steeper and rockier it gets. Really an no-win situation all the way around, and my worst nightmare as a Pikes Peak racer has always been this exact scenario.

First impact was 175 feet down the embankment, and the truck and I came to rest 714 feet down on the side. The truck is too far gone to fix for racing again, but I may attempt to resurrect it to a street truck. For now, Rest In Peace Old Smokey F1.