THIS SUMMER MARKS THE 100th RUNNING OF ONE OF THE WORLD’S MOST EXTREME CAR RACES.
PHOTO BY LARRY CHEN
THE BROADMOOR PIKES PEAK INTERNATIONAL HILL CLIMB (ppihc.org)—aka the Race to the Clouds—is an invitational hill climb that attracts elite competitors from around the globe. You’ll see race cars from exotic purpose-built Porsches to modified and specialized production-based BMWs to open-wheel Indy-style sprinters. Founded in 1916 by Broadmoor founder Spencer Penrose, the course ascends 12.42 miles with a dizzying 156 bends in the road on the way to the 14,115-foot finish line. The event also attracts die-hard spectators. The race is held on the last Sunday of June, and the preceding night is the only one of the year that camping is allowed on Pikes Peak, which means fans can sleep in the clouds and take in the action when the green flag drops in the early morning.
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