Show A DADDY OF EM ALL spectacular pikes peak speed classic revived by features feature COLORADO SPRINGS COLO nature and man have contrived to provide the worlds most spectacular and grueling testing grounds for an automobile on pikes peak one of americas most famous mountains where the annual labor day auto races will be revived this year after a wartime lapse A record field of big time drivers is expected to vie for in prize money posted for the races against time up the famous pikes peak highway william H grisler of the pikes peak information bureau reports rise of feet the highway known as the worlds most wonderful motor road is a double track boulevard 20 to 50 feet wide tor for the entire distance and as smooth and even as pavement breathtaking breath taking hair pin curves mark the entire course which is noted for the sensational rise of more than feet in approximately 12 miles from many points on the course visitors may look downward thousands of feet to the starting point and watch the speed demons climb the rock walled sides of the giant peak to the snow clad summit above the clouds equally thrilling is the magnificent view heralded as the most spectacular ever beheld from an automobile A vast st mile panorama of the mighty can be viewed from the new mexico border line on the south through the entire state of colorado to wyoming on the north eastward the billowy ocean of plains rolls far into kansas while spread out below like a huge black carpet Is the pike national forest started la in 1916 this years renewal of the race the first since 1941 will be on the anniversary of the first race the pikes peak auto hill climb was inaugurated in 1916 by the late spencer penrose millionaire philanthropist anthro of colorado springs and the pikes peak region since that time every famous race driver has competed on the famous serpentine course the annual race classic has grown in popularity and importance until to day it ranks with the memorial day race at indianapolis often dubbed the daddy of em cm all in the realm of hill climbs the pikes peak race assumes proportions of an international event with cars and drivers entered from foreign countries as well as the united states undergo severe strain As the racers roar up the steep slopes of pikes peak their vehicles undergo terrific tests which are used by manufacturers as the basis tor for new car improvements from the tires to the spark plugs the test of strength and stamina is more intensive than any required of a regular passenger car the graveled roadbed with its hairpin curves and steep grades is a severe test for tires the climb of feet in a short distance demands expert performance tor for tion cooling ignition spark plugs wiring and other parts of the motor as well as a real test of oil and gas thorne to compete among the big time drivers scheduled to compete in this years classic are joel thorne wealthy california racing enthusiast whose car won the indianapolis memorial day race george berringer famous indianapolis racer louis six times winner of the pikes peak race who set the race record of 15 minutes 34 seconds in 1941 rene lebeque and jean Tre veaux well known french racers al rogers and johnny morrow of the total prize money of first place winner will receive six prizes aie are posted 2000 going to second 1000 to third to fourth to fifth and to sixth |