Come watch the Race to the Clouds! Every year, motorcycle and automobile enthusiasts gather in Colorado for the annual Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. A literal “race to the top,” this high-speed motor chase is one you don’t want to miss.
With new makes and models making an appearance every year, the event has evolved to highlight its diverse competition; the PPIHC’s divisions always feature a wide variety of vehicles representing multiple forms of motorsport with everything from production-based Time Attack challengers to purpose-built Open Wheel racers and state-of-the-art Unlimited vehicles all trying to take on America’s Mountain in pursuit of victory. If you’re not an expert in the sport, and don’t know your vehicle names, don’t let that stop you from attending! All you really need to know is that the race takes place on a public road (that you can drive any other day of the year!) containing 156 turns and climbs 4,720 feet from the starting line at 9,390 feet all the way up to 14,115 foot summit. All told, the race is 12.42 miles long. But drivers should have it easy, right? Thinning air slows driver’s reflexes and saps their mental and muscular strength in addition to robbing their internal combustion engines of up to 30% of the power they have at the starting line. Again and again we see proof competitors and their cars need to be in top shape simply to finish, let alone win. Held every last Sunday in June, Pikes Peak International Hill Climb has inspired writers, runners, and motorcrossers to take on the merciless challenge and revel in the views from the top. The first recorded winner in 2016 crossed the finish line in just under 21 minutes. Since then, automobile competitors have completed the course in just under 8 minutes while motorcycle racers have finished in just under 10. For more details about the race on June 26th, visit the event website.
Call our concierge today to book your stay with Cheyenne Mountain Resort. But don’t stay just the night, come for the weekend and see what else Colorado Springs has to offer this summer.
