Waking up at 2:30am Friday morning wasn't a difficult task at all. I got ready and started heading out at 3:30am for the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb 87th Race to the Clouds practice. This was my first time ever stepping in Colorado and was lucky enough to shoot at Pikes Peak. Everybody said that the drive is very scenic but I couldn't see anything because it was so dark. I didn't realize how gorgeous the peak was until the sun came out. This year everyone is trying to break the current world record holder, Nobuhiro ‘Monster’ Tajima of Japan, whose 10:01.408 run up the mountain in 2007 (besting the 13 year old course record of Rod Millen) seemed all but unbeatable until now.
Follow the link for some random snaps of the unlimited class, and make sure to come back for the official Sunday race pictures... [read more] 
Pikes Peak was gorgeous. I got to the half-way point just in time for the sunrise. 
First Practice session started. First time my ears have been blasted at 4:30 in the morning by live race cars. 
Rhys Millen in his Hyundai Genesis Formula Drift car practicing in the unlimited class. 
Nobuhiro ‘Monster’ Tajima came all the way from Japan to show this beastly Suzuki SX4. He vows to break his own record this year.
Photo/Editorial: Grady Nguyen
7.18.2009
EARLY TO RISE // GRADY NGUYEN @ PIKES PEAK HILL CLIMB
TAGS //
EVENTS,
Grady Nguyen,
Mustang,
Pikes Peak,
Rhys Millen
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Pikes Peak is one of the greatest places to be in all the world. Even on the other 364 days each year where there is no such action, it's still a marvelous drive that commands your attention. The view from the summit is trophy for your likely 90 minute time in a street car at legal speeds.
ReplyDeleteExcellent pictures.
Grady,
ReplyDeleteNice story and great pictures. I've been on the mountain all week, following the Vintage Cars, Pro Truck, Exhibition, and Time Attack cars. Maybe I'll see you on the Mountain on race day. I'll be at the upper section between Devil's Playground and Olymipic (along with about 2000 others).
Mike Rogers
Rocky Mountain Vintage Racing
awesome job gravy! your photos are looking excellent
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot guys!
ReplyDeleteMike - Sorry, I was at the bottom on mountains.