Pikes Peak International Hill Climb 2009
- Updated: August 2, 2008
Photos by Rosey Helton, Michael Hill Photography, Jay Boonvouloir Photography and Artemis Images
The Pikes Peak International Hill Climb is the second oldest motor sports race in America and a long-standing tradition in Colorado Springs and the Pikes Peak Region. First competed in 1916, this year marks the 87th running of the “Race to the Clouds.” The 2009 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb for the quad division began with practice on the lower section of the Pikes Peak Highway on Wednesday, July 15, 2009.
Michael Coburn
The race is run on a 12.42 mile course with 156 turns that begins at 9,390 feet and finishes at the 14,110 foot summit of America’s Mountain; Pikes Peak! As the drivers climb toward the summit, the thin air slows reflexes and saps muscle strength. The thin air also robs engines of 30% of their power at the summit. Competitors and vehicles must be in top shape simply to finish…let alone win!
This year the race has 11 classes and features a variety of automotive, semi truck, exhibition, open wheel, super stock car, pro truck and motorcycle classes with a field approaching 200 competitors.
Jim Vidmar
The day began with beautiful sunny skies in the scenic Rocky Mountains of Colorado. Fifteen quads took to the lower section of the course for practice and qualifying. There are two quad divisions, 500cc and 450 cc. The 500 cc class has mostly 500 cc Yamaha Banshee’s. The 450 cc class is made up of 450 4 stroke machines. The lower section of the course features both asphalt and dirt surfaces. This portion of the course has some long high speed straight of ways and tight hair pin corners. The elevation at the starting line is 9390 feet above sea level and this section of the course ends at 11440 feet above sea level. Both machine set up and preparation and rider skills are tested on this portion of the race course.
After three practice runs and a qualifying run Duncan Racing International (DRI) riders Alex Helton #560 and Jim Vidmar #76 showed they were poised to Bring Duncan Racing International its third win at Pikes Peak. Alex was the fastest qualifier with a time of 5:37.291 and Jim was not far behind with a time of 5:42.420. Both of the DRI prepared Yamaha Banshee’s were working well and both riders came into the event with their confidence high because of Alex Helton’s win and Jim Vidmar’s third place finish at the Buffalo Peaks Hill Climb three weeks earlier.
Michael Coburn #138 was the fastest qualifier in the 450 class with a time of 5:46.158, followed by Robert Kline #63 and Troy Smith #322. Michael was showing incredible speed on his Curtis Sparks Honda despite being a rookie on Pikes Peak.
Michael Coburn
The second day of practice saw the quads on the middle section of the course that was all asphalt. This portion of the course has many long straight of ways and hairpin corners with 1340 feet of elevation change. The section tested horsepower, brakes and riding ability.
The third and final day of practice was on the top section of the course. This portion was all dirt and also featured long, fast straight of ways and a mix of tight and sweeping corners. The altitude becomes a factor on this section of the course as the competitors reach the finish line at the 14,110 above sea level. This section robs horsepower and traction is at a minimum. This section of the course was extremely dusty and with approximately 120 motorcycles and ATV’s on the course the conditions were difficult.
Race day, Sunday July 19, 2009, saw sunny skies and temperatures in the high 60’s at the starting line. James Vidmar #76 was the winner of the 500 cc division with a time of 12:34.598, followed by Mike “Doc” Tollett #75 with a time of 12:45.458 and Lee Kent #888 with a time of 12:49.119.
Michael Coburn #138 scorched the course winning the 450 class with a record time of 12:18.858. Michael proved why is one of the top riders in the ATVA Extreme Dirt Track Series. Robert Kline was second and Troy Smith was third.
Jim Vidmar
