Pike’s Peak Hill Climb

[PeteK]

The other day I was perusing my Porsche Panorama and reading about various Porsches racing at the PP International Hillclimb. I haven’t run across any info about Ford GTs racing at PPIH. Is anyone aware of any FGT racing there?

If not, I’m getting a nutty idea...

(And to head off the irascible Dr. Frank, yes, I used the search function, and I also used Duck Duck Go. I found references to Focus RSs and Mustang GTs and Ken Block’s Mustang, but not FGTs).

 

[mmlcobra]

Funny about Dr Frank.
I'm an M.D. as well, I'm just a little more reserved!
Mark

 

[fjpikul]

To the best of my recollection, there has never been an official Ford GT run at Pikes Peak. DBK may know better though.

 

[steved57]

Would love to hear your nutty idea PeteK

 

[PeteK]

The idea of driving a GT in the PPIHC isn’t as nutty as, say, trekking across Greenland, but at this point I don’t even know what classes a FGT could be entered to race. I don’t know what safety equipment is required, etc. If I have to do major surgery, well, fuhgedaboudit, ‘cause I’m not gonna chop up my street car. But if there’s a class for street-registered cars—sorta “run what you brung,” then I’ll consider prepping for it.

But I’m only in the daydream stage, so I don’t know if I’ll get any further than that. But I do know that daydreams have a tendency to grow on ya...

 

[Joe Dozzo]

If you go for this, I'll offer up my shop in Canon City for staging!

 

[twobjshelbys]

The idea of driving a GT in the PPIHC isn’t as nutty as, say, trekking across Greenland, but at this point I don’t even know what classes a FGT could be entered to race. I don’t know what safety equipment is required, etc. If I have to do major surgery, well, fuhgedaboudit, ‘cause I’m not gonna chop up my street car. But if there’s a class for street-registered cars—sorta “run what you brung,” then I’ll consider prepping for it.

But I’m only in the daydream stage, so I don’t know if I’ll get any further than that. But I do know that daydreams have a tendency to grow on ya...

It's a pro-am race. Dominated these days by electric and hybrids and AWD vehicles. It used to be pretty dicey with about 1/3-1/2 of it being gravel but it is now paved to the top. And it's a mountain not a hill - and cars have fallen off the edge so it's full safety cage. A friend/coworker built a Sunbeam Tiger for the race, he didn't finish. It is fun to go watch - like most of these spectators are just along the side of the road so you need to drive the road and find where you want to be and then get there very early on race day.

 

[PeteK]

Thanks. I’ve driven to the top several times as a tourist. Last time was 4 years ago, so I know what the road looks like. There are some pretty hairy drop offs near the top. I’d just like to drive it at 8/10ths or so, instead of being constrained by posted speed limits.

 

[steved57]

I had always wanted to race it on a bike (when it wasn't completely paved) but never made it happen - I would think running it in a FGT at 8/10ths would be pretty damn exciting too

I have a good friend who won his class on a bike couple years in a row

 

[PeteK]

I have a good friend who won his class on a bike couple years in a row

That’s worthy!