2009 Pikes Peak Hillclimb: Results from todays run + Dozens of pics.

[EJ25RUN]

Yes, i edited the old thread.

Monster Tajima failed to break the 9 minute barrier with a 10:15.368
Obviously, this was good enough to win the unlimited class.

King of the Mountain.









Marcus Gronholm with his WRC codriver Timo Alanne managed a 11:28.963.
He was in the 5 door Fiesta and this is a great result for his first visit up the mountain.







Pre race practice.


In the Pikes Peak Open Wheel Division, class honors went to #98, Paul Dallenbach. His time was with his Chevy powered 850hp, 1750lb buggy.
This is one of my favorite classes at Pikes Peak because these vehicles are RWD and are the latest evolution of the original Pikes Peak Hill Climb racers.






The most impressive drive of the weekend came from Rhys Millen. As I respect him more for his rally background than his drifting background, I'm not surprised his RMR Hyundai Genesis set a new class record this weekend with a time of 12:09.397








Pikes Peak Open winner: David Carapetyan / Adam Kneipp in a 2003 Mitsubishi Evo. Time was 11:52.837.




The 3 door Fiesta was driven by Andreas Eriksson
He had an off earlier in practice.

[dazn]

It would be insane if that thing broke the 10 minute mark.
I dont see it happening. at least I hope it doesnt happen, not a fiesta.

[dazn]

dp

[EJ25RUN]

It would be insane if that thing broke the 10 minute mark.
I dont see it happening. at least I hope it doesnt happen, not a fiesta.

I don't see how Marcus can.

As far as i know, this is his first time going to the peak and you don't just learn a 14 mile course on your first visit and perfect it. Tajima first came in 1989 and finally broke the record in 2007.

[Capt._Ron]

I would like to seen an american automaker set the record...even if it is a fiesta

[EJ25RUN]

I would like to seen an american automaker set the record...even if it is a fiesta

That cars British, but its built in Sweden.

[Cool Cat Racing]

True, but at least its still a Ford. And that thing looks sick.

[SampaGuy]

I don't see how Marcus can.

As far as i know, this is his first time going to the peak and you don't just learn a 14 mile course on your first visit and perfect it. Tajima first came in 1989 and finally broke the record in 2007.

I still think he has a shot.

Major difference I see with the Fiesta compared to the Suzuki is downforce though.

[2turbo4u]

i want one for street duties!

[EJ25RUN]

Rhys Millen holding up the family name in the Hyundai.

[matthewAPM]

wont happen.

[claybird]

giv em a chance

[EJ25RUN]

Someone was trying too hard. I don't know it this is Marcus' or Erik's car.

[EJ25RUN]

redid the OP...check the changes from today's race to the clouds.

[speedminded]

Those dude doesn't deserve to take pics there!

[BKgen®]

Great thread... And it's great to see Rhys holding it down in the Genesis. I've got confidence in his driving, but I was worried it might've been a bust his first time up in the Coupe.

[EJ25RUN]

Those dude doesn't deserve to take pics there!

Looked into the archive. These any better?

[EM1toEVO]

Nice to see an Evo driven the way it was meant to be used for a change.

[Blownb18c]

nice pics, always had a soft spot for rally/dirt racing

Nice to see an Evo driven the way it was meant to be used for a change.

agreed..

[EJ25RUN]

nice pics, always had a soft spot for rally/dirt racing
agreed..

Rally...yes in the sense it is a timed competition but it is really in spirit of a true hillclimb. Pikes Peak has been run since 1916 which is 2nd only to the Indy 500 in age for American racing.

Hillclimbing was much more popular and known before the 70's. Esspecially in Europe. That is where Porsche's Bergspyder originated.

Drift.....i wouldn't call this drift. Drifting is a spectator sport. Getting a car sideways because their is a lack of grip through gravel cornering techniques isn't drifting.

Pikes Peak is a timed competition. Drifting is not.

[Mike Lowrey]

I miss the days of Rod Millen in the Celica and then later in the Tacoma.

[EJ25RUN]

I miss the days of Rod Millen in the Celica and then later in the Tacoma.

In the last couple of years, Rod's brought his cars to the Goodwood Festival in England. I don't think there is enough turn around time to get the vehicles from England to Colorado in time. That is why Tajima has never been to the Goodwood Festival with his cars.

[speedminded]

Looked into the archive. These any better?

http://www.ppihc.com/big/ppih0403.jpg
http://www.ppihc.com/big/ppih0836.jpg
http://www.ppihc.com/big/ppih0738.jpg
http://www.ppihc.com/big/ppih0763.jpg
http://www.ppihc.com/big/ppih0736.jpg
http://www.ppihc.com/big/ppih0851.jpg
http://www.ppihc.com/big/ppih0266.jpg
http://www.ppihc.com/big/ppih0385.jpg
http://www.ppihc.com/big/ppih0810.jpg
http://www.ppihc.com/big/ppih0726.jpg

Those are definitely better, especially given the time period, but some still lack motion.

The original pics look like someone went out and put their camera on "sports" or "action" settings. Rally Cars aren't meant to look like they're hard parking on a dirt road...

[EJ25RUN]

Those are definitely better, especially given the time period, but some still lack motion.

The original pics look like someone went out and put their camera on "sports" or "action" settings. Rally Cars aren't meant to look like they're hard parking on a dirt road...

Here's autoblog's gallery.









Extras.