The Pikes Peak International Hill Climb (PPIHC), known as the “Race to the Clouds,” is an annual automotive and motorcycle race to the 14,115-foot (4,300m) summit of Pikes Peak in Colorado.
The Course
12.42 miles with 156 turns and an elevation gain of 4,720 feet. The finish line sits above the tree line where oxygen is 30% thinner than sea level, causing naturally aspirated engines to lose significant power—but turbocharged and electric vehicles thrive.
Pavement Revolution
In 2012, the entire course was fully paved for the first time in the event’s 1916 history, eliminating the famous mix of tarmac and gravel. This led to dramatically faster times and the rise of purpose-built hillclimb cars.
Electric Domination
Volkswagen I.D. R driven by Romain Dumas set the all-time record in 2018: 7:57.148, destroying the previous mark by 16 seconds. The electric prototype’s instant torque and immunity to altitude made it unstoppable.
In 2023, Randy Pobst drove the McMurtry Spéirling fan car to a near-mythical time, though technical issues prevented official record validation.
Motorcycle Madness
Carlin Dunne was a four-time motorcycle winner before his fatal crash just 20 yards from the finish in 2019, leading to a multi-year motorcycle ban. Bikes returned in 2022 with new safety regulations.
Sources:
- Pikes Peak official: https://ppihc.org/
- Volkswagen I.D. R record: https://www.volkswagen-newsroom.com/en/press-releases/