June 21-22, 2014 - Pikes Peak International Raceway
On June 21-22, 2014 Pikes Peak International Raceway in Fountain, Colorado will play host to SCCA's first Match Tour west of the Mississippi. With renowned course designer, Karen Babb, on board it's sure to be a course to remember. But will it be an event to remember? Here's 5 reasons you should come find out...
A) It's the "highest" place you'll ever autocross! All double entendres aside, PPIR is located at 5356 ft above sea level. Perfect for those folks with more power than they know what to do with. More impressive though are the majestic views of nearby Pikes Peak rising over 14,000 ft above sea level. Which brings me to point two.....
2) Pikes Peak International Hill Climb the following week. Preparations start well ahead of race week and you'll more than likely see the racers out and about. Last year we actually got Rhys Millen, Paul Dallenbach, and Doug Siddens to come on out and give autocross a try. We're working on a few drivers to come out this year as well and maybe even bring their hill climb cars along.
Third) Big Wheel ProSolo competitions. This is what happens when a bunch of Type A racers get a hold of adult-sized big wheels. A long-time tradition started in Colorado, the BWPS is always a highlight of the afternoon with drag tree starts, timing equipment and mirrored courses along with the occasional spilled beer and skinned knee. Water balloons turn every race into a rain event.
Quattro) Lead/Follow laps on the road course Saturday night. There's an SCCA Divisional race scheduled during the day on the neighboring road course which is always a blast to watch. But in the evening when the races are over you'll have the opportunity to bring your autocross car out to the track for a few laps! Please no shake-and-bake though.
V) Movie night hosted by Team Blackout. Enclosed two-car haulers make perfect outdoor movie screens under starlit skies. Last year, movie viewers quoted pretty much the entire dialogue from Days of Thunder. The movie lineup for this year is Cars and Rush. I'm sure drinking games will ensue.
Honorable Mentions: For those really wanting the Colorado experience go skiing/snowboarding on Friday at nearby Arapahoe Basin Resort. Yes you can still play on the snow out here and then autocross in 80 degree heat the following day. Onsite air-conditioned rooms to hang out in will provide relief from the bright Colorado sunshine. And we've got actual bathrooms with running water. No stinkin' port-a-potties here. Dinner will be provided both Friday and Saturday nights by the region along with a keg or two of beer. Oh, and do you know what being a mile high up in elevation does to you when you drink? Come to the Rocky Mountain Match Tour to find out!
