Has Anyone Attended the Pikes Peak Hill Climb?

onewhippedpuppy · 05-02-2012, 07:34 PM

Our family summer vacation to Colorado Springs looks like it will likely overlap the Pikes Peak hill climb, and that's all the excuse I need. I'm curious how difficult it is to find a viewing location on the mountain, how frequently the cars run, and what you thought of the overall experience. I'd be taking my 8 year old, I don't want to listen to him complain all day about being bored.

doug_porsche · 05-02-2012, 08:15 PM

It is not hard to find a viewing area.
Cars come by semi-frequently, but If youre 8 you will be bored.

The other problem is that the race is on the only road you can come and leave by. So you are committed, no leaving early.

If you make it a day of hiking.....

Embraer · Embraer's Garage

i had to.....

CHICKS · 05-02-2012, 08:42 PM

Your 8 year old will be hating life. You have to hang out till they re-open the road so you can come down, then you're in traffic forever. Even as an adult I dont like it. One good thing is you dont have to drink much to get drunk due to the altitude. Anyways......I would check out Fan Fest. It's free, Porsche will have some stuff set up, and it's pretty fun. Fan Fest | PPIHC

onewhippedpuppy · 05-03-2012, 06:44 AM

Thanks, I was looking at the fan fest as well, maybe I'll stick with that. He was bored with a rally after a while, and that was two hours with a car driving past every one minute. A full day with cars more spread out would probably not go over well.

5String43 · 05-03-2012, 06:57 AM

Yep, I've covered it a few times. I seem to recall that the cars come by every minute or so. If I may suggest a vantage point for viewing, it would be this - a section of corners called "the Ws," about 3/4 of the way up the mountain. It's way above the treeline, the corners are tight and in quick succession, so you get a good chance to see what the cars are doing - and you can also see the long approach to these curves. Good stuff. If you go all the way to the top of the hill, you can see the cars cross the finish line. Not near as exciting, but at least there's a hospital hut that offers food, restrooms, etc.

Oh, and never mind that the race runs on July 4. It can get really cold up there on Pikes Peak, so take warmies, if you go.

Seahawk · 05-03-2012, 07:27 AM

My Dad lived in Monument for years and always took the kids during the summer.

I took Jack to the race when he was 8 or so.

We parked at the bottom of the mountain and walked around looking at cars, hiked up a bit, etc. and watched them go by. We had driven to the top of Pikes Peak the year before so he was cool with staying low.

After a few hours we bolted.

I got a bit bored as well.

ODDJOB UNO · ODDJOB UNO's Garage

yep and it is NUTZ! went to college in denver. it is a MUST SEE EVENT!

crazier than SHEET HAUS RATZ!

be prepared for any weather. mucho food and cerveza also.

hell when we went we camped out. what a gas. this was back in 1976-77.

you will fully understand the term/description "FULL RACE WINGED GAWD DAMITS!"

Scott R · Scott R's Garage

I've been a few times, take adequate sun protection, you're well above 6000 feet even at the base. And 99% of the time it's full on sun here in Colorado of course.

ODDJOB UNO · ODDJOB UNO's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by Embraer

i had to.....

yepper ........................"FULL RACE WINGED GAWD DAMITS!"

break the fun barrier fun!