Pikes Peak International Hill Climb

Congratulations to Pikes Peak International Hill Climb 2013 winner Sebastien Loeb! Not only did he win the Colorado Springs Pike Peaks event by a staggering 49 seconds, the Frenchman became the only person to ever climb the track in sub 9 minutes (8:13.878). Leob smashed the all out paved course record set last year by Rhys Millen (9:46.164), with Millen himself improving on his previous years efforts to set a time of 9:02.192.

Check out Loeb’s amazing in car footage of the run here. Loeb appears completely relaxed from start to finish although at one point his heart rate reaches 188 bpm!

For the ultimate Pikes Peak footage though, you have to watch Ari Vatanen’s record breaking run as captured in the award winning film ‘Climb Dance’.

For Vatanen’s breathtaking run the course was mostly gravel (since 2012 it has been fully paved). Remember also he was using manual gear shift (none of your flappy paddles for the flying Finn!) and check out the film from about 3:25 where he has to drive with one hand to shade his eyes from the sun – All with 2,000 feet sheer drops at the roadside!

Hats off to all those who have ever attempted the course, Loeb has conceded that for him it will likely be his only attempt, so who knows how long the record will stand?

Pikes Peak International Hill Climb