Pikes Peak Hill Climb (Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb)
The Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, commonly known as the Pikes Peak Hill Climb or simply "The Hill Climb," is an annual automobile race held on the slopes of Pikes Peak near Colorado Springs, Colorado.[1] Every summer, competitors race up one of America's oldest continuous motorsports competitions. The course winds 12.42 miles from the mountain's base to the summit at 14,130 feet above sea level, gaining 4,720 vertical feet through 156 turns. What started with early horseless carriages and motorcycles has evolved into a world-class event attracting modern race cars, trucks, and motorcycles from across the globe. The International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) officially sanctions the competition, and The Broadmoor resort has owned and operated it since the 1980s, giving the modern event its distinctive name.
History
It all began in 1916. Spencer Penrose, owner of The Broadmoor Hotel, and Merle Dewey, a local businessman, organized the inaugural race as a promotional event for the newly opened luxury resort. Nine participants drove automobiles and motorcycles up the unimproved toll road that'd existed on the mountain since 1888. Bill Estes won that first race with a time of 20 minutes and 55 seconds driving a modified Locomobile. In those earliest years, the event attracted primarily regional competitors and served as a test ground for automotive engineering innovations. The unpaved dirt road presented serious challenges. Poor visibility, loose gravel, and severe weather conditions created genuinely dangerous racing situations. Yet the hill climb grew steadily in popularity throughout the 1920s and 1930s, establishing itself as a prestigious motorsports venue in the American West.
Competition continued through World War II, though fuel rationing and material shortages forced a suspension during the war years. After the conflict ended, the hill climb resumed with more sophisticated racing cars and drivers of national and international prominence. The 1950s and 1960s brought famous drivers including A.J. Foyt, Al Unser, and Jackie Stewart to the mountain, which elevated the event's status in the motorsports community considerably. Road surface improvements in sections made the course safer and reduced completion times. Throughout the latter half of the twentieth century, the event expanded to include multiple vehicle classes, from open-wheel race cars to sports cars, stock cars, motorcycles, and all-terrain vehicles. The Broadmoor resort's acquisition of operational control in the 1980s modernized the event's organization and infrastructure, establishing it as one of the premier hill climb races globally.[2]
Geography
The course begins at the Manitou Park entrance at approximately 9,390 feet elevation and ends at Pikes Peak's summit at 14,130 feet. Over 12.42 miles of mountain road, racers navigate significant elevation gain distributed across numerous switchbacks and hairpin turns that've tested drivers for over a century. Starting in the foothills' ponderosa pine forest, the route ascends through montane and subalpine forest types before reaching the treeline near the summit. The upper portions present increasingly sparse vegetation, including alpine tundra and exposed rock formations as drivers approach the peak. Weather conditions vary dramatically with elevation. Clear skies at the start transition to fog, rain, or even snow near the summit during the May through August competition window.
These geographical challenges shaped the course's character and reputation throughout its history. Steep grades reach inclines of 10 to 14 percent on the lower and middle sections, requiring drivers to maintain precise control while managing engine performance at extreme elevations. The tight turns, particularly between Highway 24 and the "W's," demand exceptional driving skill and vehicle handling capabilities. The "Devil's Playground," a switchback approximately midway up the mountain, has been the site of numerous incidents and is particularly treacherous in wet conditions. Colorado Springs and private sponsors maintain the paved surface, which experiences significant wear from the annual competition and requires regular repair and resurfacing. Wind conditions at the summit can exceed 50 miles per hour, adding another complicating factor for competitors attempting to maximize their performance.
Culture
The Pikes Peak Hill Climb sits at the center of Colorado Springs' cultural identity and Colorado's broader motorsports heritage. Major motorsports media outlets cover the event extensively, and automobile enthusiasts worldwide follow it closely. It's a unique meeting point of extreme athletics and engineering innovation where teams invest substantial resources in vehicle preparation and driver training. The amateur participation opportunities aren't lost on less-famous drivers. Multiple amateur classes allow competitors at various skill and vehicle levels to participate in the same prestigious venue where professionals compete. This approach has fostered strong community support and participation from local and regional racers.
Beyond competition itself, the event shapes Colorado Springs' broader cultural landscape. Spectators travel to the region for race week events, practice runs, and the main competition day, generating substantial tourism revenue. Local businesses benefit from increased patronage during the competition window, and the event enhances Colorado Springs' reputation as a destination for outdoor recreation and motorsports enthusiasm. Documentary films and motorsports television features have captured the hill climb's significance. Vehicle manufacturers have used the course as a testing ground to demonstrate technological capabilities, and numerous automotive innovations have been developed and validated on Pikes Peak before being implemented in production vehicles.[3]
Economy
Substantial economic activity flows to Colorado Springs and the surrounding region from the Pikes Peak Hill Climb, with direct and indirect benefits extending to multiple industry sectors. Competitors from across North America and internationally require accommodations, transportation, dining, and other hospitality services during their stay. The Broadmoor Hotel, as event sponsor and operator, benefits substantially from increased occupancy during race week, with many competitors and team members utilizing its premium accommodations and facilities. Local restaurants, gas stations, retail establishments, and other service providers see elevated business activity during the competition window.
Employment and sponsorship opportunities created by the event contribute to the local economy through direct job creation during preparation and competition phases. Automotive manufacturers, technology companies, and consumer goods firms invest in the event as a marketing platform, their spending supporting event organization and promotion. Prize money and purses offered to competitors have grown substantially over the decades, with annual prize money now exceeding hundreds of thousands of dollars distributed across multiple vehicle classes. Road maintenance and infrastructure improvements necessitated by the event represent ongoing economic contributions to regional transportation infrastructure. Media coverage and broadcasting rights generate additional revenue streams that support event operations and promotional activities.[4]