This week is the 103rd running of the Pike’s Peak International Hillclimb, and it’s definitely a year that Audi aficionados will want to take note of. While there’s no Audi factory-backed effort like there was from 1984-1987, this year marks both the anniversary of Michèle Mouton’s record-breaking 1985 victory as well as the largest count of Audi automobiles taking part in the competition. Given all of this, we wanted to assemble a comprehensive preview.
HALL OF FAME CELEBRATING MICHÈLE MOUTON ANNIVERSARY
It’s been 40 years since Michèle Mouton took her place among the other “Kings of the Mountain”. The French rally legend began her career with Audi competing in the World Rally Championship (WRC) in 1981. While there, she logged four overall victories in the WRC and narrowly missed winning the Driver’s Championship in 1982. Mouton competed twice at Pike’s Peak, winning the Rally Open Division in 1984 and claiming victory outright in 1985 when she set an overall hill record of 11:25.39 in her Audi Sport quattro S1. In the process, she became the first and only woman to win the Pike’s Peak International Hillclimb outright.
For 2025, the Pike’s Peak International Hillclimb (PPIHC) will induct Mouton into the Pike’s Peak Hill Climb Hall of Fame. Specific timing of the event within the race week schedule wasn’t available at the time of this writing, so we’ll update that information as we have it.
Worth noting, It’s an artist’s impression of Michèle Mouton on this year’s event poster used in the header above. No doubt the poster is available via local shops at the events should you be on the ground at this year’s running.
THIS YEAR’S AUDI CARS IN COMPETITION AT PIKE’S PEAK
Confirmed on its competitors list are no less than nine Audi entries. Amongst these are three Mk2 Audi TTs, two Sport quattro S1 E2 replicas, an “ur” quattro, a 4000S quattro and finally the world’s only RS 001 Group S replica.
Details:
#2 Audi quattro
Class: Pikes Peak Open
Driver: David Hackl 🇺🇸
#10 Audi S1 E2 Tribute (listed as “4000 quattro”) 🇺🇸
Class: Pikes Peak Open
Driver: Emmanuel Cecchet (rookie)
#16 Audi S1 E2 Tribute 🇺🇸
Class: Pikes Peak Open
Driver: Alex Kim (rookie)
#75 Audi RS 001 quattro Group S Tribute 🇬🇧
Class: Pikes Peak Open
Driver: David Rowe
#117 Audi 4000 quattro 🇺🇸
Class: Pikes Peak Open
Driver: Trevor Aweida
#212 Audi TTS 🇸🇰
Class: Pikes Peak Open
Driver: Matus Huska
#246 Audi TT RS 🇺🇸
Class: Unlimited
Driver: Josh Tenge (rookie)
#342 Audi TT RS 🇩🇪
Class: Pikes Peak Open
Driver: Christian Ghimbos (rookie)
#970 Audi 200 Avant 🇺🇸
Class: Pikes Peak Open
Driver: Scott Anderson (rookie)
EVENT SCHEDULE
Pike’s Peak’s Race Week has already begun. Registrations began on Monday, with Practice & Qualifying going on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday (today).
Friday June 20
Friday is another Practice and Qualifying session, followed by Fan Fest from 5PM to 9PM in downtown Colorado Springs where fans can meet the drivers and see the cars.
Saturday June 21
Of particular interest to Audi aficionados is the Wheels & Winners gathering at Audi Colorado Springs. Here’ you’ll be able to see several of the Audi competitors cars (including the S1 E2 replicas and a green Sport quattro road car) plus drivers along with a community bike ride with U.S. Olympic medalist Chloé Dygert. The event goes from 9AM to 2PM according to their posting on Facebook. RSVP now to save your spot! https://bit.ly/AudiWheelsAndWinners
Sunday June 22
The race takes place beginning with the opening ceremony from 6AM local Mountain Time (GMT-6). From there, the green flag drops at 7:30AM and proceeds until finish which is estimated at 5PM. At that time, there’s also a parade of champions.
A full race week event schedule can be found HERE.
HOW TO FOLLOW THE COMPETITION FROM HOME
Fans can tune into the competition in several ways.
Option #1: RACER+
RACER+, which is offering 25% off any plan this weekend with the promo code PIKESPEAK25 (visit racerplus.com). The RACER Network is available on YouTubeTV Sports Plus Package, Hulu + Live TV with Sports Add-On Package, DirectTV Entertainment Package, U-Verse U200 Package, Charter Spectrum Sports View Package and Fios by Verizon’s The Most Fios TV Package.
The network will offer eight hours of live coverage, plus post-race highlight episodes.
RACER is also offering an exclusive RACER Bundle with a year of RACER Magazine plus unlimited access to RACER+. Redeem HERE.
Option #2: Pike’s Peak Regional Attractions Live Stream via YouTube
Another viewing option is the Pikes Peak Regional Attractions YouTube channel.
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Option #3: KRDO News Radio
Audio coverage will also be offered via the local KRDO News Radio at 105.5 FM, 1240 AM and 92.5 FM locally. It can also be streamed HERE. We’ve also verified that KRDO is available via in-car radio streaming mobile device apps such as TuneIn Radio and myTuner Radio that are great for streaming non-local radio programming while listening on the go.