"With electric automobiles popping up like dandelions across the landscape of American driving, it's no surprise that they will be part of the field at the 89th Pikes Peak International Hill Climb on June 26," so says the press release from the organizers, and we couldn’t agree more.
While electric cars are not that now to the Pikes Peak, having received their own class last year, we are a little curious whether a completely stock Nissan Leaf has any chance of dethroning current EV Hill Climb record holder Ikuo Hanawa of Japan and the EV Sports Concept HER-02. Probably not, but what matters here is proving it can.
Fortunately, Chad Hord, the man at the helm of the Leaf, is an experience driver as he currently pilots an off-road racing truck in the TORC series. However, the Leaf’s 110 horsepower and 90 mph top speed worry us a bit.
The Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, which began in 1916, is America's second oldest motor sports race behind the Indy 500. The race is staged on a 12.42 mile course with 156 turns. It begins at 9,390 feet and ends at the famous mountain's 14,110 foot summit above Colorado Springs.
If you want to see the Leaf at the Hill Climb, or any other car there, we will tell you that tickets begin at $40.00, with a Family Four-Pack available at $125.00 and VIP admission priced at $80.00.
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