In-car with Marcus Gronholm. The road is slowly being paved to the summit. It takes a lot of the fun out of running it, though the upper portion is still gravel for now. When the ragged edge and the "w"s were gravel it was quite exhilarating making your run up to the top. Massive 2000 foot drops and sideways through the hairpins... it just doesn't seem the same now that it is all tarmac. Doug used to do pendulum turns up through the hairpins that for a split second would leave you staring out over the hood- with only blue sky beyond. I didn't care for that much. Scott
Marcus Gronholm does a great job of making how easy it is to manage a 800hp car on the Pike! I would like to see more incar video, great foot work.
Pavement and guardrails makes for a not so manly pikes peak. And for those that have not been there, around the 6:20 mark, there is a right hand sweeper. To the left is a little stone wall (about 2.5-3 ft tall). The other side of that wall is a 6000 foot cliff. Not really straight down, but you could easy base jump off of it. That is one of the most incredible races I have ever seen. SOOOO many different car/trucks/bikes/big rigs, you get to see everything. Just a incredible time. Russ
:emo: Yes, very unfortunate the pavement is taking over. back in the day when I lived out there we used to rally the subaru loyale wagon up to the top....:laugh:
It was very depressing to see all that tarmac. While they did seem to carry a bit more speed and have a bit more commitment into the corners, it just doesn't make for the spectacle it once was. The sound the Fiesta and the RS200 made when they went by... wow... just wow... If anyone cares here are my pictures from the race. http://oksubaru.com/gallery/v/Pikes+Peak+09/Sunday/Sunday/ Great find on the video Scott. Have any pictures or videos of you and Doug going up?
Yeah anyone can drive up to the top, it does cost some money, but not too much. There is a gift shop at the top.
I was going to go this year. But other things happened that made it not an option. Hopefully next year!
Normally it is just a toll road anyone can pay to drive up to the top, provided they don't close the road due to conditions. During the race your ticket gets you access to the road where you can choose various spectator points to park at up to "Devils Playground". This is the highest point (~12,000 feet, 16 miles up the road) they will let spectators go without credentials.
I was down there till the 18th. I was debating to stay another day to go but had to head back. Almost done moving to Denver!! 10000K already on my 09'
