The inaugural Pikes Peak Auto Hill Climb, as it was known at the time, took place on August 10, 11, and 12, 1916. Rea Lentz won the race in a homemade car with a time of 20:55.6, forever etching his name into the history of one of the most exciting hill climb events in the world.
These days, the entire road has been paved with asphalt, but at least it remains on the calendar as the second oldest motorsports race in America.
Currently, the race starts at 9,390 feet above sea level. After 156 turns over 12.42 miles, competitors climb to the clouds, reaching 14,115 feet above sea level, an exercise that puts immense strain on drivers and engines alike as the lack of oxygen robs lungs and combustion motors of power. Top speed takes a back seat to acceleration, handling, and braking. Besides the risky route and the asphyxiation of engines, the weather on race day can change in a matter of minutes. But that doesn’t discourage most people.
