MTFCA Forum

It's a big weekend for hillclimbs. I was super excited to come to Lincoln for the speedster reunion with the stripped down roadster, but- At about the last possible minute I got word yesterday at noon that I would indeed be part of the crew for a car at the Pikes Peak international hill climb. Tech inspection was at ten am this morning and I got done work last night at 8 pm. Luckily we're only an hour and a half from home but we are here practicing at sunrise for the next few days so we're staying put in Colorado Springs all week. Was hard to grab more than a few quick quick snapshots but I'll do my best to post some interesting photos as the week progresses toward race day. Sure hope I see some pics from Lincoln! -Chris, not in Boulder

What a crazy week! The pikes peak race is the craziest event I have ever been to, let alone participate in. Here's the first day of practice, from 13ish thou to the summit. Cars arrive at the mountain before dawn and start running at first light. Pretty cold up there at five a.m.!

Qualifying day was beautiful! Lots of standing around and waiting goes on,but that's where the real important info gets discussed. Tire pressures, boost levels, fuel mixtures etc...The rally cross team from Sweden had the hardest time getting there car to the event but had the best attitude! Nicest guy ever and owner of the car we borrowed last minute, Dan Novembre put down a great time on Sunday in his new car!

Each day after practice is back to the lab. Doesn't seem to matter how ready you try to get for this race, something needs to be addressed every run on every car, rookies to veterans, everyone scrambles every day....

Some last minute dorking on race day. Everyone's actually so on edge the mood is pretty light. All the competitors and crews are rooting for each other and the comraderie knows no limits, everyone helps each other with parts and tools and whatever it takes to see the drivers are safe. We crewed for longtime Pikes Peak racer Paul Gerrrard, known to some as "the Stig" on the recent American version of "Top Gear". Legendary guy with the best attitude...

Its gets pretty hectic on race day! Officials come to your pit and tell you to go about two minutes before your start. Of course our car had an electrical issue and had to be jumped all of a sudden, then a line from the air compressor to the sequential shifter broke on the way up and we got a big fat D.N.F.!
We were all disappointed but the driver was safe and we had an incredible week around the most advanced factory teams and the best home built cars in the world. Wish there was more time for pics of the cars up close but down time is hard to come by. We slept about twenty hours over six days...
Please look up and watch the footage on you tube and Facebook and instagram etc. P.P.I.H.C. has to be the best race car testing and proving ground of all. One shot at the course after a week of prep can be frustrating but the lessons can't be learned anywhere else and the access to the drivers and cars the fans have is amazing. I'd recommend attending to anyone who likes fast cars as there's really not much else like it.
Folks keep saying stuff to me like "nice sunburn" and "you look tired" and "did you have fun?" ....ask me in a week after I get some sleep! -Chris, back in Boulder....