Pikes Peak 2014: Tech Inspection

As always, Tech Day for the 92nd running of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb starts with much anticipation and promise for a great week. With my newly reacquired mobility, I was certainly looking forward to an awesome week of shooting the upcoming practice and qualifying sessions.

Here are some of my favorite images from day 1 of Pikes Peak Speed Week.

Tech day started with clear skies over Cheyenne Mountain.

Yes! The number 66 Sidecar team from Japan passes tech!

This year’s pace truck. A 1965 Chevy C-10 built to race spec by Gas Monkey Garage out of Dallas Texas.

Kash Singh celebrates the 4th year of driving his Supercharged Shelby Mustang to Colorado, racing the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, and then driving home.

Isle of Man TT veteran, Guy Martin, puts his custom built bike under the scrutiny of Pikes Peak Champion, Jim Vidmar.

Whenever you get two racers together, what do you think they talk about? Guy Martin and six (now 7) time Pikes Peak champion Greg Tracy talk at the back of Guy’s rental truck during tech inspection.

Pikes Peak Champion “Texas” Dave Carapetyan mugs for the camera as he waits his turn through tech inspection. If you want to learn how to rally, he’s the guy you need to talk to!

Skies turning ugly as a thunder storm builds over Pikes Peak and Cheyenne Mountain.

Guy Martin’s race bike sans wheels and on stands, gets covered by a large cardboard box to protect it from the approaching thunderstorm.

Not much left of the original Porsche 914 in this race car…

Horn, check. Lights, check. Turn signals? Check.. Everything a Pikes Peak Racer needs.

Greg Tracy’s ride for 2014. Mitsubishi, MiEV Evolution III

Rick Beets

From early on I was always bombing around the neighborhood on some kind of home built go kart or minibike. So working on motors and bikes came naturally. As well as things electronic or technical. I was also an avid skier and instructor. If I can make something go fast by either propulsion or gravity, I am in. Yes, I freely admit to being a bit of an adrenaline junkie.