Colorado Springs, February 9———Much of the rich history of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb revolves around the generations of families that have challenged America’s Mountain since 1916.
The 90th edition of the nation’s second-oldest motor sport race on July 8 continues the tradition with the announcement that three-time champion David Donner, the fourth in his family to race on the Peak, will be in the deep and talented Unlimited division.
That family lore embraces generations of Unsers, Millens, Dallenbachs, Vahsholtzs, Lees and Keeneys among many.
Donner (Colorado Springs), will drive a new 4WD Palatov D4 Turbo in the race where other Donners – Robert, Robert, Jr., and Robert III have been part of history on the hill.
The Unlimited field includes record holder Nobuhiro Tajima (Japan), the first driver to crack the ten-minute mark during his triumph last year, Jean-Philippe Dayraut (France), Jimmy Keeney (Colorado Springs), six-time champion Paul Dallenbach (Basalt, CO), Mark Rennison (Great Britain), veteran Dave Carapetyan (Austin, TX), Kris Antal (Hungary), Liam Doran (Great Britain), and Cody Loveland (Buckley, MI),
Donner’s background on Pikes Peak includes the three overall wins, numerous qualifying records and top three race finishes. He also has an extensive background in road racing including the 24 Hours of Daytona and Petite Le Mans.
“You have drivers from every form of motorsport, every manufacturer, they have all done it and it’s great to be a part of this truly remarkable event. My grandfather helped revive it after World War II, my dad won it three times in a Porsche, and my late brother Bobby won it in 1989. This event has so much personal meaning it’s difficult to state. Of course now it’s different with pavement, however that adds even more challenge.” says Donner.
Palatov Motorsport is a designer and manufacturer of sports and racing cars, located in Portland, Oregon. The company’s design and business philosophies are both driven by a solid commitment to getting the most possible performance out of the least possible weight. The Palatov “Quest for the Peak” is intended as the ultimate test of this approach, going head-to-head against the world’s top competitors.
The company will be fielding an evolution of the D4 track car, which currently is the most developed and tested of the Palatov vehicles. For the Pikes Peak effort the D4 will use a lightweight small-displacement engine turbocharged to 300+hp.
Fans can learn more about the effort and how to become involved at the Palatov website: http://www.palatov.com/pikespeak/.