The Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, which began in 1916, is the second oldest motorsports race in America behind the Indianapolis 500 and a long-standing tradition in Colorado Springs and the Pikes Peak Region. Federal Tires is more than honored to to compete in the 89th edition of America’s most spectacular and unusual event on a loaded summer calendar of sports events on the coming June 26th on Sunday.
The race is staged on a 12.42 mile course with 156 turns hat begins at 9,390 feet and finishes at the 14,110 foot summit of America’s Mountain. Competitors, vehicles and motorcycles must be in top shape to conquer the severe weather as the thin air slows reflexes and saps muscle strength. Drivers and racers from ten nations, France, Italy, Japan, Spain, New Zealand, Sweden, Mexico, Australia, Great Britain and the USA, will gather from the start line to challenge the terrain and the altitude of the world’s most famous hill climb.
Led by 17-year-old Savannah Rickli of Littleton, Colorado, whom and navigator Rebecca Greek took third in the rugged Time Attack 2WD Division last year with a clocking of 13:58.232 in their Mini Cooper S, the youngest female competitor ever to finish the race in the age of 16 will go up to pit against one of the race’s legends this time. Rickli started out practicing her skills couple weeks ahead on June 5th, with Federal’s FZ-201 semi-slick whopping approx 3.5 miles of the upper section of the race course to face the toughest competition. She found According to the Rickli, the FZ-201 extreme performance tires were 3.5 seconds per mile faster on the pavement compared to 2010 (Hoosier Wets). She will now get those tires used for the testing to be grooved with more tread for more grip on pavement in case the damp condition plays the key factor between winning and loosing during race week.
Meanwhile, 2010 runnerup Ken Stouffer will pilot his 1995 Nissan 240SX to enter the Time Attack 2WD field to take on this year’s Pikes Peak International Hill Climb; and David Kern will be behind the wheel of his upgraded, improved, 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX chasing for the win.
The Federal FZ-201 shoulder has proven itself time after time with a combination of its enhanced R compound tread design and a unique semi-slick. It is an ideal tire delivering road and race performance, which made headlines at Sepang F1 circuit in Malaysia, another example of how the Federal brand has taken on new international appeal.
In addition, the popular “Fan Fest” pre-race celebration scheduled for Friday evening, June 24th in downtown Colorado Springs, with a crowd over 30,000 fans on hand to meet top race qualifiers in autograph sessions. Federal will have 3 stunning cars and stars, Savannah Rickli, David Kern and Ken Stouffer altogether displaying their vehicles and giving demos to showoff what they are going to bring up on the race day. Be sure to feel the speed and tense at Pikes Peak, Federal Tires look forward to seeing you there.
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