pikes peak hillclimb

Bobby Unser in his heyday. IMS Photo.

Eric Davison has had many interesting experiences in the automotive field; his epic eight-part memoirs of Watkins Glen appeared last year in VeloceToday and more recently his recollections of Le Mans in the 1970s brought a lot of appreciative comments. The other day, noting the sad news in Colorado, he sat down and wrote about his adventures at Pikes Peak with a guy named Bobby Unser. Enjoy, we did! Ed.

Story by Eric Davison

The devastating fires that have ravaged the Colorado Springs area of Colorado have caused the delay of the Pikes Peak Hill Climb, originally scheduled for last weekend, until August 12. Both events are cause for sadness. Colorado is considered one of the most majestic of states and to think of it in ashes is heartbreaking.

Anything goes at Pikes Peak...the diversity is astounding.

To me, the Pikes Peak event represents what is perhaps the most inclusive and unusual of motorsports events. In many respects it is the opposite from the other famous American race venue, Indianapolis. The lack of creativity and individuality on the Indy car circuit is the obverse of the technical variety seen and promoted at Pikes Peak. The organizers have a competitive category for just about anyone. If someone showed up with a motorized uni-cycle I feel pretty sure that he would have a chance for a trophy. Run what ‘ya brung seems to be the byword and what’s more, local residents are as likely to be as competitive as the international stars.

The Unser Experience
While I have only attended the actual hill climb once I have had a Pikes Peak experience that many could only dream of. I had a ride part way up the hill with Bobby Unser at the wheel. For those who don’t follow Pikes Peak, there was a time beginning in 1934 that the name Unser was synonymous with first place at the event and Bobby Unser could surely be labeled ‘king of the hill.’ The Unsers, from the local area, literally owned the hill beginning with Uncle Louie. Bobby Unser still holds the all time win record at the mountain and his son Rob won the event driving a Peugeot 405 in 1989.

Which reminds us that there is often a French flavor to rustic Colorado hillclimb. French star Michèle Mouton won with the Audi Quattro in 1985 (watch video ) …. And of course there was the famed Milliken Bugatti that placed 6th overall in 1947.