Every driver has his or her Mecca. For most, it goes without saying, Indianapolis ranks near the top, since it’s the oldest race in America, but then there is Pikes Peak, the second oldest. Once you’ve driven to the top, there’s no doubt that Pikes Peak is hallowed ground.
In 2007 I was pleased to be one of the first La Carrera Panamericana competitors to be invited to compete in The Pikes Peak International Hill Climb in our own class. I will never forget the excitement when Paul Dallenbach offered to coach me personally, especially considering Paul has won the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb six times and set the overall record in 1993. Who could ask for a better coach? Unfortunately, my father passed away prior to testing, so I had to decline.
While having dinner with the Littles, our neighbors who are close friends, Lyn St. James, and Bugatti restorer Jim Stranberg invited me to attend the inaugural Pikes Peak Hill Climb Experience in conjunction with The Morgan Adams Concours d’Elegance, which is the longest-standing charity-run concours event in the western United States. How could I possibly say no?
Even for the most experienced drivers in the world, Pikes Peak is not for the faint of heart because it always presents a formidable challenge. Everyone I’ve ever met who’s competed in the PPIHC will tell you, “You don’t beat the mountain. You accept what it gives you.” At the start line there might be sunshine, but by the time you reach the top you may encounter, rain, more sunshine, then snow. Setting up your car is literally a chess match.
Besides my good friend Paul Dallenbach, there are some others who stand out in my mind, especially since I served as executive director of The Unser Racing Museum: Louis Unser, the eldest of the three brothers, raced up Pikes Peak 36 times from 1926-1967, earning him the “The Old Man of the Mountain.” He achieved nine overall wins in his 41 years of racing Pikes Peak. Jerry and Joe Unser also competed in several Pikes Peak Hill Climbs.
The next generation of Unsers included Bobby and Al Sr. Bobby’s Hill Climb record includes 13 first-place finishes. Ten were overall wins and eight were new course records. Al scored two overall wins on Pikes Peak. He was also one of only a handful of drivers to win the Indianapolis 500 four times.
The younger generations of Unsers, including Al Jr., Robby and Jeri continued the family’s winning ways. The Unser clan has 39 first-place division and overall wins at The Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. During the 100th running, despite totaling her car in practice three days before the race, Loni Unser made it to the start line on race day and came in second in her division
I had the good fortune of spending the day with the chairman of the board, Fred Veitch, who drove with Bugatti, Ferrari, McLaren, Mercedes-Benz, Chevrolet, MG, Bentley, and more. He described how drivers at the top of the mountain help other drivers out of their car when they reach the top. During the three days of practice when someone’s car crashes or suffers a mechanical problem, other teams and competitors come quickly asking, “What do you need? Welding, parts? And if you don’t have crew, ours can stay late tonight to help.” This resonated with me having known this to be exactly how NASA competitors are.
A special but somber moment for me took place before I left the top of the mountain. I placed a bouquet of flowers at the finish line to honor Al Unser senior and Paul’s father Wally Dallenbach.
My advice to all race drivers or fans of motorsports, make the journey to Pikes Peak and live the dream. Not every exciting motorsport moment ends with a checkered flag.
