Ed Gaven Climbs Pike's Peak

Tuesday May 30 was a big day. I was notified of my entry for the 84th Pikes Peak International Hillclimb,12 miles, 156 turns, 9,360' to 14,110', almost half paved, the rest dirt, sandy granite, little marbles and big marbles, thru 10 different climate zones, 2nd oldest auto competition in the U.S., probably more famous outside the U.S. than within, had been accepted.

The same hill we used to camp on in the 60's to watch the Unsers lay claim to Unser Mountain, Parnelli Jones hustled the Mercury Marauder to a win, big names, little names, print cars, Peak cars, stockcars, sports cars (B. Unser in a Lotus 23) Bobby Donner in a Porsche Spyder, C.E. Mutha in a Cad Allard, later a Corvette. First call to John Pagel, Evil Genius Racing. We need to build a cage. Change shocks, springs, ride heights, set corner wts/cross wts 50/50. Oil change for the war wagon.

Tow sat, tow Sun, tow Mon, Tues meet Bob Gillis, TCI tires, a many time competitor and member of the board of directors of the hill climb. He has tires and knows people. Such as the machine shop that can machine my new wheels to fit the hubs, ARGH!

Then mount up BFGoodrich R 1's.Almost make the Victor Racers look like a snow tire, we are ready for tech Wed. morning, followed by rookie school (a briefing) then the drivers meeting.

Thurs a.m. we tow part way up the hill, to the 9,300 level where there is a parking lot we can unload the race car, and with the illumination of several flashlights, join the uphill traffic going to the 12,000 'startline for practice on the upper half. There is no way the war wagon would make 12,000’. There were about 6 other cars doing the same thing. Set the tire pressures, sunrise and we're off!! HOLY S*** THIS IS SLIPPERY!!! The nose hunts, the tail wags, the crestlines dance in the sky. Just whose idea was this?? And we're in the slow stuff. Thru the W's Devils Playground and into the faster stuff, aptly named Bottomless Pit, from here to the summit it is quick, except for a couple of turns that aren't, that look just like others that are. Good reference points are few. Sun is in the eyes.

You have to learn the skyline to be fast in the upper sections. There are no trees, all the rocks look alike. Finish line. Get in line to go down hill and try again. Car will not start. ARGH. Coast partway down. Wait, Coast some more. Then coast to the war wagon. Practice is over. Watch Bobby Unser being interviewed about his 1953 Pikes Peak car (he won with it) which is going to a museum.

Find fuel pump inertia switch has been dislodged from the contact position by bumps in the turn around area at the summit, but the button did not pop all the way out. ARGH! At least it is a cheap fix.
Friday we sleep in another 30 min. Then it's off to the start line to practice the lower half, mostly paved section. There are trees here, and air to breathe. This section is slower than the top, tighter turns, many of them look alike as you approach, but are not. Better (easier) reference points. The R-1s like this p.m. into the rental (dodge Hemi) to try to learn the upper half.

Sat is race day. Get to sleep in. Rollin at 4, into the pit area, unload, set air pressues. Breakfast thanks to Mike Ryan. (He is the FAST 18 wheel Freightliner, 1250hp, 2700 pound ft torque) Drivers meeting,

At nine a.m. I am the first car given the green flag by our guest starter, a very nice young man whose lifetime dream was to attend the hill climb. Make a Wish made it happen. Every competitor adopted him. Hard on the gas (I really know the first 5 turns) bend to the left, look ahead for the reference and see one of the largest American flags I have ever seen!! Wasn't there yesterday. Good reference, bend to the right, the crowd goes wild, waving, jumping, shouting. I'm quickly into the areas I really do not know so well, so it's drive on sight and instinct. Into the W's I see Shane Chapman in his 18 wheeler tractor closing on me. I saw a wide spot, eased into it and the world tuned brown from the high amount of dust and gravel the large truck tires spewed into the air. I literally could not see the hood scoop on my car. As the dust cleared I moved on.

I had spent some effort to identify those turns where you could really get screwed up. Paid of. Several times I found myself approaching a turn that I knew I did not know but knew it was challenging. Piece of cake. My intention was to make it to the top with a spirited drive. My friend Mark Vaughn from Autoweek was at the summit to welcome me.

I must thank Pam Boyd, Phil Layton, Randy Ruyle and Bob Gillis of the PPIHC staff for answering questions and nudging me the right way, I particularly thank them for inviting me to run in the Exhibition class. The Challenge racer does not fit in any of the other classes.

Mike Ryan is the guy who re-ignited my desire to run the peak. Especially when he called to say they were paving it. A sacrilege. But it moved me off dead center to run it while most of it is dirt. Particular thanks to his crew for the constant encouragement, and the dedicated help of his son Chris and nephew John and friend Mack in helping me get all the time consuming, oxygen burning. muscle straining things done. Mike set a new record this year. I set the first record for a FFR challenge racer at 15:46. The war wagon died on the uphill grade of Donner Pass about 10 p.m. Monday night. Rode home in a magnificent wrecker. Services/resurrection of the war wagon are pending.

The trip down the hill is unbelievable....about 5 miles of high fives. The first one from the 78 year old finish line flagger!! This was one of life's highlight.

Congratulations of climbing Pike's Peak Ed!

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