Are you ready for the 101st running of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb in 2023? This renowned event takes place on the famous Colorado mountain and offers a thrilling race experience like no other. And the best part is, you can watch all the action unfold live right here! The livestream will begin on Sunday, June 25 at 9:00 AM Eastern / 6:00 AM Pacific.
What makes Pikes Peak so special? Well, for starters, drivers have to navigate through a challenging 12.4-mile rally stage, which features a staggering 156 turns. Missing any of these turns can have serious consequences, as they can lead to dangerous drops down the side of the mountain. But that’s not all. Over the course of the climb, drivers will ascend almost one mile in elevation. The race starts at 9,390 feet and finishes at an impressive 14,115 feet. This means that they can encounter drastically different weather conditions throughout the course. Additionally, tuning a high-performance engine to handle such a significant change in elevation poses a unique challenge for the drivers.
Similar to the famous Nurburgring, Pikes Peak has become a coveted trophy for automakers aiming to set record times. In 2022, Porsche achieved a production-car record with a stock 911 Turbo S completing the climb in an impressive 9 minutes 53.5 seconds. However, there was some controversy surrounding this achievement, as it wasn’t done during the actual race. Due to unfavorable weather conditions in June, Porsche took advantage of a rule change that allowed an official run outside the racing venue. They returned in September and shattered the previous record by nearly 30 seconds.
In addition to Porsche, Lamborghini also made history at the 2022 event by setting the record for the fastest production SUV. Their Urus achieved a time of 10 minutes 32 seconds during the race, although the news was only released in August.
For the upcoming 2023 edition, several automakers are set to participate and make their mark. Acura will be showcasing various vehicles, while Alpine has a special A110 prepared for the challenge. Ford is planning to impress with their electric SuperVan 4.2, which boasts a staggering 1,400 horsepower. Additionally, all eyes will be on the Block family as Lucy competes in the Unlimited class, driving a Sierra Echo Block Edition powered by Hypercraft, in honor of Ken Block – Lucy’s husband and Lia’s father – who tragically passed away earlier this year. Speaking of Lia, she will be driving the 1,400-hp Hoonipigasus Porsche 911 in an exhibition run to pay tribute to her late father. Although Lia won’t make an official timed pass, her presence adds an emotional touch to the event.
Don’t miss out on any of the thrilling moments during the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb! The livestream will begin at 9:00 AM Eastern, with the first run expected to start half an hour later. The event will continue until 4:00 PM, and we will provide you with the complete livestream coverage.