Attending the Pikes Peak Hill Climb is like nothing else on the planet. You’re on the side of a 14,115 ft. mountain with some of the world’s most badass, purpose-built race cars roaring across the valleys, all the way to the top. It’s the experience of a lifetime to see the action in person because you see the environment and you can feel the intensity of each run because these drivers are putting their lives at risk when they take on this mountain. This race course is no joke: 12.6 miles, 126 turns, and over 2.6 miles of elevation gain throughout, and either dense forest or mountain cliffs and boulders off the side of the road.

I grew up at the base of Pikes Peak, in Colorado Springs. When I was 12 years old, my father, a professional freelance photographer, had a contract with Kenworth trucks to take photos of their exhibition racing semi-truck. My brother and I got to tag along with him and we didn’t know what we were in for. We spent the entire day at the W’s near “Devil’s Playground”  watching what seemed like our very own Hot Wheels cars zoom by.

“The Hill Climb” is what the locals call it, and if you’re a race fan, with teams and visitors from around the world, the city of Colorado Springs fully lights up full of racing passion and heritage every year. To truly enjoy a trip to the Pikes Peak Hill Climb, you have to understand the rich history of the race and there are a few boxes to check before you head up the mountain- and plenty of fun to be had before race day starts. 

Read Kevin’s guide to the Pikes Peak Hill Climb in the Summer26 Issue of Speedwell Magazine