Controversy has surrounded the Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb since the death of Carl Sorensen at last year’s event. People were starting to compare the Climb to the Isle of Man TT for all the wrong reasons, so the PPIHC racing committee came together and instituted a controversial rule that banned sportbikes from competing at the event. Racers were not pleased, but the 100th anniversary of racing to the heavens must go on…
The Grid Is Set, But Who Is Racing At The Pikes Peak Hill Climb?
26 racers from 13 countries will tackle the Hill this year. Racers from Australia, Austria, Brazil, Canada, Corsica, France, Great Britain, Isle of Man, Japan, Poland, Scotland, Switzerland, Taiwan and the United States of America will compete. Among these competitors you will find familiar faces—like Frenchman Romain Dumas—and relatively new faces—like David Higgins from Isle of Man—will be racing too.
The electric division winner, Fumio Nutahara, will return, as will Nobuhiro “Monster” Tajima. Five-time hill climber Joe Toner will also return with his son, Joseph Connor Toner, and the Ohio State Buckeyes will join the motorcycle grid as they field an electric motorcycle ridden by Robert “The Bullet” Barber.
This year is the 100th anniversary of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb and this year’s race will be the 94th running. Races are set to begin on June 26th, and though many were worried that new rules would dampen the spirit of competition, it looks like the show is going to continue in a spectacular fashion.
What do you think this year’s race will be like? Is there anyone in particular that you’re rooting for? Let us know on Facebook and Twitter.