86th
Annual PPIHC
Pike's Peak International Hill Climb
Colorado Springs, CO
July 20, 2008
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Area 51 Offroad's Steve
Tutt Wins his 2nd Pike's Peak Championship
Pikes
Peak International
Hill Climb - Links |
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Colorado Springs, CO - Area 51 Offroad,
a Falker Livingston satellite team, returns to the
Pike’s Peak International Hill Climb to claim
yet another record. Steve Tutt, sponsored by Area
51 Offroad, pushed his 2004 Honda TRX450R to the
limits in the 86th annual running of the Race to
the Clouds. In the renowned Time Trial event, his
final time up the mountain was 12.46 minutes, a
full 9 seconds faster than his record-breaking run
in 2007.
Chad Newman, owner of Area 51 Offroad, worked
tirelessly to prepare the quad for the race. Steve
had his work cut-out for him too. An injury earlier
in the year left him a little out of shape and
off the practice track for several months. As
the event inched closer, Chad and Steve focused
on their goal: bringing home another first place
trophy.
The first day of practice was a success and Steve
broke his previous qualifying record by several
seconds. The TRX450R was stronger than ever and
after practice days two and three, Steve was feeling
more confident and determined.
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Steve
Tutt on the Start of the Pikes Peak ATV
Race |
PPIHC
Race Quick Facts
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Race
Length: |
12.42 Miles |
Track Width: |
20 - 50 Feet |
Surface: |
Gravel/Asphalt |
Start Elevation: |
9,402 Feet |
Finish Elevation: |
14,110 Feet |
Elevation Gain: |
4,708 Feet |
Average Grade: |
7% |
Turns: |
156 |
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Race day would put everyone’s nerves on
edge and test even the most talented drivers and
riders. The cars start the race, followed by the
motorcycles, quads and finally the big trucks.
The course which is part pavement, part dirt and
gravel, was dry and slick due to the lack of rain
during the previous week. The first few cars hit
the track and soon after the sirens start blaring.
A race car has left the course, and the ambulance
is sent. After several more cars start, there
are more sirens and more red flags.
Finally it’s time for the motorcycles and
quads to have their shot at the winding road.
Steve’s class was third to leave the starting
line. He picked his starting spot and got into
race mode. The flag dropped and off they went.
Steve maintained a strong lead over the other
two quads in his heat and focused on riding safely
on the treacherous road. He led by twenty-five
seconds at Devil’s Playground and had the
finish on his mind. He crossed the finish line
first then reminded himself ‘it’s
all about the time’. Several agonizing moments
later the final times were announced. Steve and
his Area 51 Offroad TRX450R had done it again!
Twenty-six accidents and 14 red flags later, the
riders and drivers headed back down the mountain
to the pits. The Area 51 Offroad team celebrated
another huge success at the Pike’s Peak
International Hill Climb.
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