19 Rookies Will Test Man & Machine On Pikes Peak

Colorado Springs———A field of 101 world-class drivers and riders will challenge America’s Mountain and race to become champions during the 2016 Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb Brought to you by Gran Turismo on Sunday, June 26. Many have previously endured the grueling 12.42 mile course while negotiating 156 turns beginning at 9,390 feet above sea level at the Official Start Line and ending at the 14,115-foot summit of Pikes Peak. This will be a new adventure for 19 rookie drivers and riders who will face the task of successfully crossing the Finish Line in a motorsports event unlike any other they have experienced.

A dozen of these rookies are entered in auto divisions, and seven will compete in motorcycle divisions, pitting them in many cases against champions and legends of the race like Layne Schranz, Clint Vahsholtz, David Donner, Paul Dallenbach, Romain Dumas, Codie Vahsholtz, and Bruno Langlois.

Presenting the 2016 Rookies:

Autos:

Dave Balingit, USA, Denver, Colorado (Pikes Peak Challenge-Exhibition) 2016 Elan NP01

John Stallworth, USA, Wichita, Kansas (Pikes Peak Challenge-Exhibition) 2014 Polaris XP 1000

RJ Gottlieb, USA, Santa Monica, California (Pikes Peak Challenge-Pikes Peak Open) 1969 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28

Richard Boake, Canada, Thornhill, Ontario (Time Attack I) 2007 Subaru Impreza WRX STi

Robb Holland, USA, Denver, Colorado (Time Attack I) 2013 Audi TTRS

Mikko Kataja, Finland, Novi, Michigan (Time Attack I) 1979 Toyota Starlet

Mike Rimmer, England, Kintbury, Berkshire (Time Attack I) 2008 Subaru Impreza

Raphaël Astier, France, Drome (Time Attack I) 2009 Porsche 911 GT3 RS

Nick Robinson, USA, Delaware, Ohio (Time Attack 2 Production) 2017 Acura NSX

Kevin Wesley, USA, Grand Ledge, Michigan (Time Attack 2 Production) 2016 Dodge Viper ACR

Tony Quinn, Australia, Upper Coomera (Unlimited) 2015 Ford Focus

Rodney Tu, Taiwan, Carindale, Australia (Unlimited) 2016 Palatov D1PPS

Motorcycles:

Robert Barber, USA, Bury, England (Pikes Peak Challenge-Electric Bike) 2008 Buckeye Current RW-3x

Marcel Irnie, Canada, Kelowna, British Columbia (Pikes Peak Challenge-Electric Bike) 2016 Zero FXS

Mark Miller, USA, Calabasas, California (Pikes Peak Challenge-Electric Bike) 2016 Zero FXS

Paul Baleta, England, Ludmannsdorf, Austria (Pikes Peak Heavyweight) 2011 Ducati Multistrada 1200S

Rennie Scaysbrook, Australia, Costa Mesa, California (Pikes Peak Heavyweight) 2015 KTM Super Duke 1290 R

Rafael Paschoalin, Brazil, São Paulo (Pikes Peak Middleweight) 2014 Yamaha MT-07

Cyril Combes, France, Villeneuve sur Lot (Pikes Peak Quad) 2011 Suzuki KTM JF Prototype

There will be 11 countries represented on June 26th: Japan, Canada, Finland, England, France, Australia, Taiwan, Poland, Brazil, Scotland and the USA.

Find a complete Competitor List and detailed race information at: www.ppihc.com

For a century, the world’s most demanding motorsports hill climb has attracted fearless competitors who have triumphed on Pikes Peak, including the greats of American motorsport – Mario Andretti, Parnelli Jones, Roger Mears, Al Unser, Al Unser, Jr., Louis Unser, Bobby Unser, Rick Mears and scores of others, including generations of racing families with names like Dallenbach, Donner, and Vahsholtz, along with international fan favorites Rod and Rhys Millen, Ari Vatanen, Per Eklund, Nobuhiro “Monster” Tajima, and Michele Mouton, the first woman to capture a championship on Pikes Peak.

In 2013 a new champion and Hill Climb icon emerged when Sébastien Loeb of France stunned the world with his Pikes Peak course record of 8:13.878.

This year’s 94th Running of America’s second-oldest motorsports race, will showcase an array vehicles boasting cutting edge technology as well as give spectators the opportunity to witness some past champions and vintage autos revisiting this world-famous race course.

Race fans are encouraged to take part in the 2016 Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb Fan Fest celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the Race to the Clouds on Friday, June 24 from 5:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. in Downtown Colorado Springs. Fans can see their favorite competitors and vehicles as they prepare to take on Pikes Peak for the 94th time. Entertainment includes motorcycle stunt teams, vendor booths, beer garden, Fire Fighter Chili Cook-off, and the Pikes Peak Hill Climb Historical Association’s Mobile Museum.

It’s all part of the spectacular Pikes Peak Speedweek, Colorado’s Premier Motorsports Experience, which kicks off on June 18 with a lineup of exciting events. View the complete schedule at: http://pikespeakspeedweek.com