Pikes Peak International Hill Climb

http://photos4.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/7/8/7/a/event_245910842.jpeg

The Pikes Peak International Hill Climb is the second oldest motor sports race in America and a long-standing tradition in Colorado Springs and the Pikes Peak Region. First competed in 1916 and this year marks the 91st running of the "Race to the Clouds."

The race is run on a 12.42 mile course with 156 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 slows reflexes and saps muscle strength. The thin air also robs engines of 30% of their power at the summit. Competitors and vehicles must be in top shape simply to finish...let alone win!

This year the race has 16 classes and features a variety of automotive, exhibition, open wheel, super stock car, and motorcycle classes with a field approaching 200 competitors.

View Course Map (http://www.ppihc.com/course-map/) or Spectator Guide (http://www.ppihc.com/2013-spectator-guide/) (Information above from http://www.ppihc.com )

Information:

Why should I go? This is why - Watch (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7VAJaZAV-gQ). (SEBASTIAN LOEB and Rhys Millen will be there, yay!)

How much does it cost? Tickets are $40 per person (plus fee $4.15) if you buy online. Family 4-packs are on sale online for $135 (+$12 fee, ends up being $36.75 per person). Make sure you print your ticket AT HOME. Do NOT opt for picking up tickets at Will Call—it will be a cluster. If you buy your ticket on the hill you will pay $50. Buy tickets here (http://www.tempotickets.com/ppihc2013tickets).

Where do I go? Pikes Peak. (No, really? :oP) Use this address if you have Nav: 5069 Pikes Peak Hwy, Cascade, CO 80809.

Instructions from Google:
Take I-25 South from Denver to Colorado Springs
Take Exit 141 for US-24 W/Cimarron St
Keep left at the fork, follow signs for Pikes Peak/Woodland Park
Turn left on Cimarron St
Continue straight onto US-24 W/W Cimarron St, continue to follow US-24 W
Turn left onto Fountain Ave
Slight left onto Pikes Peak Hwy

Drive to Devil’s Playground (look for the sign). There will be portapotties available. If you watch the video above, Devil’s Playground is approximately at ~7:10 into the video.

When do I have to be there? The Tollgate opens to spectators at 3 AM. We will be in line to get to Devil’s Playground at 3 AM. It would be a good idea to carpool, preferably with someone in an SUV or at least with AWD. There could be little to no cellular coverage. Look for the banner once you get to the Devil’s Playground parking lot. If you're interested in carpooling please respond below with what you're looking for or providing and figure it out amongst yourselves.

What do I bring? #1 - Common sense. We will be at 12,780 feet ALL day. Be prepared. If you have a history of having altitude sickness, I’d suggest you not come to Devil’s Playground (talk to me offline and I can suggest a better spot for you.)

--Clothing – Layers will be your BFF – weather can and will change instantly. In previous years it has varied from a nice sunny day to rain/sleet/hail/snow within minutes.

--Food –This event will be BYOF - if you want to bring extra food and munchies to share that’s cool. Steve will be bringing the grill if you want to heat up/grill anything. Once we are on the hill we cannot leave until the race is over and road is cleared (by race/safety sweep or snow plow.) Bring enough food to last you all day.

--Drink – Bring water, water and more water. Bring adult beverages if you’d like but keep in mind the altitude - please see #1.

--Other –

Blankets
Headlamp/flashlight (and batteries if needed)
Poncho
Camera
Sunscreen
Camp chair(s)
AM Radio
Umbrella
TP (just in case)
Low Carb (blue) Rockstar for Amy (just seeing who is paying attention!)

Other random nuggets of information:
Plan to be on the hill all day – some years we have been able to leave at 3PM, other years has been 8PM due to snow storm
Leave no trace.
Pets are not allowed.
Stay OFF THE COURSE.

When the race is over and we are cleared to head down the hill, take your time. Downshift and lay off the brakes. Depending on when the race is over we might make a stop in Manitou Springs for some old school video game action --details TBD. Have a nice drive home!

Have FUN!!!

If you have any questions please let Amy know!

(P.S. For more viewing pleasure - this is the in car footage from my favorite Evo VII in 2004. Watch! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Md6F4toZDuM&list=UU8GsMfANzcnll11ZvHFAgsw&index=6&feature=plcp))