Pikes Peak 2013: A Visual Feast

My Life at Speed

Indycar favorite, Simon Pagenaud, looks out over the expansive Pikes Peak region from the top of middle section practice.

There is no other venue like it anywhere in the world. Anywhere. There are other hill climbs, sure, and even a few other visually epic race locations…but nothing like this one. Pikes Peak is the oldest hill climb in the country, the second oldest annually run motor race in the country, and the most famous and prestigious hill climb in the world. Most great driving legends from across motorsport disciplines find their way here eventually, and if they don’t it’s not because they didn’t want to. The challenge is fantastic, of course, but more than that it’s the place. The look and feel of the environment itself is intoxicating. It draws you in and, once you’ve been here, it’s very difficult to tear yourself away.

I’ve been racing here for a decade, now, and for the past two years covering it for My Life at Speed; and I spend most of my time away from Pikes Peak planning how I’ll be going back the next year. Though, each year on the day I head home, I say to myself that this will be the last year, but that thought only lasts until I get home and stand in my garage; and know that I need to find a way to get back.

I’ll never hold an overall record…and the likelihood that I’ll ever reach the times laid down by the top Time Attack drivers is pretty slim. But that’s never been the goal. The goal is to simply do better than I did the last time, and no matter what else happens during the week, make sure that I’m standing on the summit on race day. That’s about the best thing a guy like me can hope for. Beat the mountain. Beat my best time. Get the high fives on the way down. That’s all.

Here are my favorite photos from the 2013 running of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. – Kenneth Stouffer

Pat Doran begins race week testing at a secret facility in the Colorado high country.

“Texas” Dave Carapetyan hanging out at Mondays Tech Inspection at World arena in Colorado Springs.

Nine time WRC champion Sebastien Loeb listens carefully at the mandatory Drivers Meeting Monday Evening. Proving that he is a true professional, Sebastien attended all mandatory meetings and events during the race week.

2012 Overall record holder, Rhys Millen, talks shop with Romain Dumas during early morning practice.

Jean-Phillipe Dayrout gets ready to take hi Mini on it’s qualifying run.

The Vintage class always brings some pretty incredible machines and this is one of them. Ralph Murdock’s unbelievably clean 1970 Chevrolet Camaro.

Professional Stunt Man, Mike Ryan and his crowd pleasing Freightliner.

Nubohiro “Monster” Tajima and his E-Runner electric.

Sunrise on the hill is always spectacular. Even before the engines fire.

Jack Rogers drives out of certain disaster coming into the approach to Devils Playground.

MIke Ryan makes his way up through the W’s.

Sebastien Loeb during top section practice.

Multi-time class champion, Jeff Zwart, during top section practice.

Kash Singh in his daily driven Ford GT500. Kash drove this entry, as he has for the past three years, from Detroit to compete in the Hill Climb. He also completed a 3500 mile road trip this year before and after the race. Feature coming soon.

Indycar favorite, Simon Pagenaud, looks out over the expansive Pikes Peak region from the top of middle section practice.

Time Attack Hyundai driver, Paul Dallenbach, give a wink before taking the green flag at top section practice.

Friday night fun at Fan Fest in Downtown Colorado Springs. Here Pat Doran and former Time Attack Champion Brianne Corn have some fun for the camera.

Pro ATV racer Theo Bernhard getting his head ready before his race day run.

Sebastien Loeb early into his very short run to the summit on race day.

My Life at Speed Co-Founder, Greg Trachy hams it up for the camera at Monday Tech inspection.

It was good to see my friends up on the hill again this year. A long and trying day for most, with weather delays and less than ideal conditions. Even with that, we still saw everyone safely home. That’s a good year.

The rest of my favorites from the week are in the gallery below. Enjoy.

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Ken Stouffer

I've been around some form of racing since I was a kid. First hanging around Ascot in Southern California. Then, after moving to Texas as a teen, I got hooked on drag racing and did that for almost fifteen years. In between I have raced Dirt bikes and Quads. 2011 Marked my 8th and final year racing up Pikes Peak: Five in the Pro Quad division and three in Time Attack. Future racing plans are in the works, but until then I'm at the track shooting for My Life at Speed as much as I possibly can.