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86th Annual PPIHC
Pike's Peak International Hill Climb
Colorado Springs, CO
July 20, 2008

Area 51 Offroad's Steve Tutt Wins his 2nd Pike's Peak Championship


Pikes Peak International
Hill Climb - Links
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.

Steve Tutt Pikes Peak ATV Race
Steve Tutt ATV Start Pikes Peak
Steve Tutt on the Start of the Pikes Peak ATV Race

PPIHC Race Quick Facts

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
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.

Steve Tutt ATV Hill Climb 450R
Pikes Peak ATV Tutt

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