Things are getting yet more interesting for this year's Pikes Peak International Hill Climb with the addition of Le Mans winner Romain Dumas and off-road racer Beccy Gordon. Dumas was part of the winning team in the Audi R15 TDI in 2010 and has taken the top spot at the 24 Hours of Spa and the 24 Hours of the Nürburgring in various Porsches. He will tackle the Colorado incline in a Porsche 997 GT3-R.
Gordon has been racing off-road for years now, forms half the duo in All American Girl racing, and has taken two SCORE off-road victories. Her off-road expertise won't give her the full benefit this year since the mountain road has been completely paved, but that's probably better for the car she'll be driving: the 2012 Mitsubishi i-Miev. Gordon will be in the same Electric Auto Division class with Monster Tajima.
Scroll down below for the press releases, and get ready to tune in July 8 for the action.
Gordon has been racing off-road for years now, forms half the duo in All American Girl racing, and has taken two SCORE off-road victories. Her off-road expertise won't give her the full benefit this year since the mountain road has been completely paved, but that's probably better for the car she'll be driving: the 2012 Mitsubishi i-Miev. Gordon will be in the same Electric Auto Division class with Monster Tajima.
Scroll down below for the press releases, and get ready to tune in July 8 for the action.
Accomplished Female Off-Road Star Beccy Gordon Will Challenge Tajima In Electric Division With Her Mitsubishi i-MiEV Auto
Colorado Springs, April 17-------------The electricity in the air at the offices the 90th Pikes Peak International Hill Climb is palpable this week.
At the start line on July 8, there's going to be the usual attention paid to the usual roar of automobile engines and motorcycles, but this time, as well, to the quiet hum of electric engines in autos driven by an international field.
Not only has nine-time Unlimited winner and race record-holder Nobuhiro Tajima of Japan switched to the Electric Auto Division with a secret design car, but he'll be up against some strong competition in the fast-growing, popular field that now includes a notable female driver.
Beccy Gordon, the 33-year-old sister of NASCAR and Indy 500 star Robby Gordon, will battle Tajima behind the wheel of a 2012 Mitsubishi Motors i-MiEV in the Electric Division. It's based on MMC's all-electric i-MiEV model, the first 100% electric vehicle (EV) to go into mass production and is already on the road in Japan, Europe and North America, with plans to expand to other markets.
Gordon joins a field that also includes defending class champion Ikuo Hanawa of Japan, and Hiroshi Masuoka (also driving the Mitsubishi i-MiEV), a famed Japanese driver who has tackled Dakar 21 times, winning it in 2002 and 2003. Also in is Japanese rally car ace and 2006 Monte Carlo rally winner Fumio Nutahara.
Just In: News came today that the brother and sister team of Robby and Jeri Unser will not be driving the proposed Zero E project electrics as previously announced. PPIHC officials await further developments.
Gordon comes from a family with a rich history in auto racing. Robby had a distinguished career in Indy, NASCAR and off-road racing, sister Robyn is the first woman to score an overall win in the Baja 1000, father Bob (Baja Bob) was a longtime star in off-road racing, and great-grandfather Huntley was an Indy car driver in the early 1900s. Her husband, Ryan Hunter-Reay, is currently a driver for Andretti Autosport in the IZOD IndyCar Series.
She formed All-American Girl Racing in 2006 and became the part of the only all-female team to compete in the Baja 1000, with a pair of SCORE Off Road wins. She is a spokesperson for NASCAR, a pit reporter, and a swimsuit model who has also shown for Ralph Lauren, Speedo and Victoria's Secret.
"I'm really looking forward to driving the Mitsubishi i in the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb competition this year," said Gordon. "I am very excited to be part of this challenge and also to drive a 100% electric-powered car since this type of vehicle will likely play a major role in both our daily transportation and motorsports in the future."
2010 Le Mans Champion Romain Dumas Will Challenge The Pikes Peak International Hill Climb On July 8 In Colorado Springs
Colorado Springs, April 19-----------When French auto racing star Romain Dumas won the crown at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2010 it was a tribute to his own persistence in the Grand Prix of Endurance, the world's oldest sports car race in endurance racing that began in 1923.
It had been eleven years since a Frenchman last won at Le Mans, but Dumas ended the losing streak in a big way.
Together with teammates Timo Bernhard and Mike Rockenfeller, he drove a perfect race in front of a crowd of 238,400 spectators. For Dumas, his first win at Le Mans in ten attempts was particularly rewarding. It placed his name alongside previous Le Mans champions like A.J. Foyt, Jacky Ickx, Graham Hill and Bruce McLaren.
Now, he's coming to Colorado Springs on July 8 to tackle a new challenge on America's Mountain.
After winning some of the most prestigious endurance races in the world, including the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Spa-Francorchamps (2003, 2010), 24 Hours of the Nürburgring (2007, 2008, 2009, 2011) and the 12 Hours of Sebring (2008), Dumas will now tackle another legendary race, the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. The Alès, France native will take the start of the 90th edition behind the wheel of a Porsche 997 GT3-R in the Pikes Peak Open Division.
"I've wanted to race on Pikes Peak for a long time," said Dumas. "The Audi-Peugeot dual is part of my childhood memories. I remember seeing pictures of Ari Vatanen and I had the chance to meet Walter Rorhl, who was the first to slip under the 11 minute mark. To be at the start of such a legendary race will be like a dream come true. Just from its history and its characteristics, Pikes Peak is a challenge you have to approach with humility. It's a huge test, and an adventure that will be unlike anything else I've done in my career!"
Alongside his Porsche and Audi programs as official driver, as well as his rally schedule run with his proper team, Dumas will be competing in the Race to the Clouds in the hot Porsche 997 GT3-R.
His rookie appearance on Pikes Peak will be a learning year for Dumas.
"I'll be discovering a new universe, totally impossible to simulate, of course. This experience will without a doubt be very interesting. I wanted to make my debut at Pikes Peak in a Porsche, and after thinking long and hard, I decided on the Porsche 997 GT3-R. I know the car and its qualities well, and I have to be smart and realistic against true specialists of the discipline, whose cars will be much more powerful. I won't be fighting for the overall win this year. But in time I'd like to add this race to my list of accomplishments."
Dumas's team will be taking delivery of the Porsche 997 GT3-R shortly, initially developed for the circuit GT3 category. It will be prepared specifically for Pikes Peak in the Pôle Mécanique of Alès workshops before heading to Colorado Springs at the beginning of July. The first test will be held during Spark Motor Festival in France (April 28-29).
Colorado Springs, April 17-------------The electricity in the air at the offices the 90th Pikes Peak International Hill Climb is palpable this week.
At the start line on July 8, there's going to be the usual attention paid to the usual roar of automobile engines and motorcycles, but this time, as well, to the quiet hum of electric engines in autos driven by an international field.
Not only has nine-time Unlimited winner and race record-holder Nobuhiro Tajima of Japan switched to the Electric Auto Division with a secret design car, but he'll be up against some strong competition in the fast-growing, popular field that now includes a notable female driver.
Beccy Gordon, the 33-year-old sister of NASCAR and Indy 500 star Robby Gordon, will battle Tajima behind the wheel of a 2012 Mitsubishi Motors i-MiEV in the Electric Division. It's based on MMC's all-electric i-MiEV model, the first 100% electric vehicle (EV) to go into mass production and is already on the road in Japan, Europe and North America, with plans to expand to other markets.
Gordon joins a field that also includes defending class champion Ikuo Hanawa of Japan, and Hiroshi Masuoka (also driving the Mitsubishi i-MiEV), a famed Japanese driver who has tackled Dakar 21 times, winning it in 2002 and 2003. Also in is Japanese rally car ace and 2006 Monte Carlo rally winner Fumio Nutahara.
Just In: News came today that the brother and sister team of Robby and Jeri Unser will not be driving the proposed Zero E project electrics as previously announced. PPIHC officials await further developments.
Gordon comes from a family with a rich history in auto racing. Robby had a distinguished career in Indy, NASCAR and off-road racing, sister Robyn is the first woman to score an overall win in the Baja 1000, father Bob (Baja Bob) was a longtime star in off-road racing, and great-grandfather Huntley was an Indy car driver in the early 1900s. Her husband, Ryan Hunter-Reay, is currently a driver for Andretti Autosport in the IZOD IndyCar Series.
She formed All-American Girl Racing in 2006 and became the part of the only all-female team to compete in the Baja 1000, with a pair of SCORE Off Road wins. She is a spokesperson for NASCAR, a pit reporter, and a swimsuit model who has also shown for Ralph Lauren, Speedo and Victoria's Secret.
"I'm really looking forward to driving the Mitsubishi i in the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb competition this year," said Gordon. "I am very excited to be part of this challenge and also to drive a 100% electric-powered car since this type of vehicle will likely play a major role in both our daily transportation and motorsports in the future."
2010 Le Mans Champion Romain Dumas Will Challenge The Pikes Peak International Hill Climb On July 8 In Colorado Springs
Colorado Springs, April 19-----------When French auto racing star Romain Dumas won the crown at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2010 it was a tribute to his own persistence in the Grand Prix of Endurance, the world's oldest sports car race in endurance racing that began in 1923.
It had been eleven years since a Frenchman last won at Le Mans, but Dumas ended the losing streak in a big way.
Together with teammates Timo Bernhard and Mike Rockenfeller, he drove a perfect race in front of a crowd of 238,400 spectators. For Dumas, his first win at Le Mans in ten attempts was particularly rewarding. It placed his name alongside previous Le Mans champions like A.J. Foyt, Jacky Ickx, Graham Hill and Bruce McLaren.
Now, he's coming to Colorado Springs on July 8 to tackle a new challenge on America's Mountain.
After winning some of the most prestigious endurance races in the world, including the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Spa-Francorchamps (2003, 2010), 24 Hours of the Nürburgring (2007, 2008, 2009, 2011) and the 12 Hours of Sebring (2008), Dumas will now tackle another legendary race, the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. The Alès, France native will take the start of the 90th edition behind the wheel of a Porsche 997 GT3-R in the Pikes Peak Open Division.
"I've wanted to race on Pikes Peak for a long time," said Dumas. "The Audi-Peugeot dual is part of my childhood memories. I remember seeing pictures of Ari Vatanen and I had the chance to meet Walter Rorhl, who was the first to slip under the 11 minute mark. To be at the start of such a legendary race will be like a dream come true. Just from its history and its characteristics, Pikes Peak is a challenge you have to approach with humility. It's a huge test, and an adventure that will be unlike anything else I've done in my career!"
Alongside his Porsche and Audi programs as official driver, as well as his rally schedule run with his proper team, Dumas will be competing in the Race to the Clouds in the hot Porsche 997 GT3-R.
His rookie appearance on Pikes Peak will be a learning year for Dumas.
"I'll be discovering a new universe, totally impossible to simulate, of course. This experience will without a doubt be very interesting. I wanted to make my debut at Pikes Peak in a Porsche, and after thinking long and hard, I decided on the Porsche 997 GT3-R. I know the car and its qualities well, and I have to be smart and realistic against true specialists of the discipline, whose cars will be much more powerful. I won't be fighting for the overall win this year. But in time I'd like to add this race to my list of accomplishments."
Dumas's team will be taking delivery of the Porsche 997 GT3-R shortly, initially developed for the circuit GT3 category. It will be prepared specifically for Pikes Peak in the Pôle Mécanique of Alès workshops before heading to Colorado Springs at the beginning of July. The first test will be held during Spark Motor Festival in France (April 28-29).
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