What: Pike’s Peak International Hillclimb
Location: Pikes Peak Highway, Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA
First Event: 1916
Course Length: 12.42 mi (19.99 km)
Turns: 156
Elevation Gain: 4,725 ft (1,440 m)
Start Elevation: 9,390 ft (2,862 m)
Finish Elevation: 14,115 ft (4,302 m)
Average Gradient: 7%
Surface:
1916–2011: Mixed gravel and asphalt
2012–Present: Fully paved
Nickname: Race to the Clouds
OVERVIEW
The Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, often referred to as “The Race to the Clouds,” is one of the oldest and most famous motorsport events in the world. First held in 1916, the event takes place on the Pikes Peak Highway near Colorado Springs, Colorado, climbing from the forests of the Rocky Mountains to the summit of Pikes Peak at 14,115 feet (4,302 m) above sea level. The course measures 12.42 miles (19.99 km), contains 156 turns, and gains approximately 4,725 feet (1,440 m) in elevation from start to finish.
Audi’s history on the mountain began in 1982 when American rally champion John Buffum brought an Audi quattro to Colorado and claimed overall victory. Buffum returned in 1983 to further establish the quattro’s reputation on the mountain, proving the advantages of permanent all-wheel drive on Pikes Peak’s loose gravel surface and laying the groundwork for greater factory involvement.
Building on Buffum’s success, Audi Sport arrived in 1984 with a factory-backed effort led by Michèle Mouton. What followed became one of the most successful periods in the history of the event. Between 1985 and 1987, Audi claimed three consecutive overall victories with Michèle Mouton, Bobby Unser, and Walter Röhrl while setting a succession of course records. Röhrl’s 1987 victory also produced the first sub-eleven-minute run up the mountain.
Few venues are as closely associated with Audi’s quattro technology as Pikes Peak. The mountain’s combination of loose surfaces, dramatic elevation changes, rapidly changing weather, and extreme altitude perfectly showcased the advantages of turbocharging and permanent all-wheel drive, helping transform both the event and Audi’s competition legacy.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Unlike conventional racing circuits, Pikes Peak is a point-to-point mountain course. Competitors begin at the Mile 7 marker on the Pikes Peak Highway and climb continuously to the summit.
The lower section winds through dense pine forests and offers relatively high grip and wider road widths. Midway up the mountain the road transitions into exposed alpine terrain where competitors begin to contend with thinner air, decreasing engine performance and rapidly changing weather conditions.
The upper section climbs above the tree line and features some of the most intimidating corners in motorsport. Here the road traces narrow ridges with little or no margin for error and no guardrails protecting drivers from steep drop-offs.
MAJOR SECTIONS OF THE COURSE
Start Line (Mile 7)
Beginning at approximately 9,390 feet above sea level, competitors launch from the lower forest section of the mountain. Engine performance begins declining almost immediately due to the altitude.
Picnic Grounds
A fast and flowing early sector through dense woodland that rewards commitment and rhythm.
Bottomless Pit
One of the most famous locations on the mountain. The road runs alongside a dramatic drop estimated at over 1,800 meters (5,900 feet), making it one of the most intimidating sections of the course.
Glen Cove
Located near the midpoint of the climb, Glen Cove traditionally serves as a key reference point for competitors and spectators.
Devil’s Playground
One of the highest sections of the course. The surrounding terrain becomes increasingly barren as drivers approach the summit.
The W’s
A sequence of switchbacks and hairpins that define the upper mountain. The section derives its name from the shape formed by the road when viewed from a distance.
Ragged Edge
A narrow ridgeline section with significant exposure and minimal room for error.
Summit Corner
The final corner before the finish line.
Finish Line
Located at 14,115 feet above sea level atop Pikes Peak. At this altitude naturally aspirated engines can lose as much as thirty percent of their sea-level power output. Turbocharged engines, one of Audi’s strengths during the quattro era, retain a significant performance advantage.
AUDI AT PIKES PEAK
1982
Driver: John Buffum
Car: Audi quattro
Result: 1st Open Rally Division, 1st Overall
Time: 12:20.00
Audi’s first major success on America’s Mountain came in 1982 when American rally champion John Buffum drove a long-wheelbase Audi quattro to overall victory. The win demonstrated the advantages of permanent all-wheel drive on the loose gravel surface and marked the beginning of Audi’s association with Pikes Peak.
1983
Driver: John Buffum
Car: Audi quattro
Result: 1st Open Rally Division
Time: Approximately 12:21
Buffum returned the following year and successfully defended Audi’s rally-class honors. His performance further strengthened the relationship between Audi of America and the event while helping establish the quattro as the benchmark among rally-based entries on the mountain.
1984
Driver: Michèle Mouton
Car: Audi Sport quattro S1
Result: 1st Open Rally Division, 2nd Overall
Time: 12:10.38
Audi’s first factory-backed effort arrived in 1984 with Michèle Mouton and the newly introduced Sport quattro. Despite altitude-related engine-management issues, Mouton exceeded Buffum’s best previous Audi time by more than ten seconds and narrowly missed an outright victory.
1985
Driver: Michèle Mouton
Car: Audi Sport quattro S1
Result: 1st Overall
Time: 11:25.39
Course Record
Mouton became the first woman to win the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb outright and established a new course record, delivering Audi’s first overall factory victory on the mountain.
1986
Driver: Bobby Unser
Car: Audi Sport quattro S1 E2
Result: 1st Overall
Time: 11:09.22
Course Record
Bobby Unser reclaimed the record for the mountain’s first family, securing his tenth overall victory and Audi’s second consecutive overall win.
1987
Driver: Walter Röhrl
Car: Audi Sport quattro S1 E2 Pikes Peak
Result: 1st Overall
Time: 10:47.85
Course Record
First Sub-11-Minute Run
Walter Röhrl completed Audi’s three-year winning streak and became the first driver in history to break the eleven-minute barrier at Pikes Peak.
NOTABLE RECORDS
Audi’s First Overall Victory
Michèle Mouton — 1985
Audi Hat Trick
Three consecutive overall victories from 1985 through 1987.
First Sub-11-Minute Run
Walter Röhrl — 1987
Audi Sport quattro S1 E2 Pikes Peak
10:47.85
CURRENT OVERALL COURSE RECORD
Romain Dumas
Volkswagen I.D. R Pikes Peak
7:57.148 (2018)
SIGNIFICANCE
Few venues are as closely associated with Audi’s quattro technology as Pikes Peak. The mountain’s combination of loose surfaces, dramatic elevation changes and rapidly diminishing air density played directly to the strengths of turbocharging and permanent all-wheel drive.
Audi’s three consecutive victories between 1985 and 1987 transformed the event from a largely American hill climb into an internationally recognized motorsport contest and produced some of the most iconic competition cars ever built by Audi Sport.
PHOTO GALLERY
photos: Audi AG
