Pikes Peak anyone?

[MonsieurX]

Hi, im a fan of Pikes Peak...

I was wondering if any of you ever tried to race an Atom up there?

Would be wicked to try, i drull of it!

Cost would be prohibitive for me to even dream of it but still, anyone with a chase cam and car (i imagine a multi color squadron of Atoms...) would make an awesome spetacle and probably a decent run - something to send in Ken Block's sphere...



Any takers? 

[benyeats]

Half of the climb is of unfinished / gravel road so not ideal Atom territory, as those who were with me on the way to the Stelvio on the Alpine tour will concur (sorry about that chaps)

However post this year's event it is being tarmacced all the way up so will have fresh Atom friendly roads so your plan is good.

I expect to be in the area January if any local owners fancy giving it a go, I appreciate that snow will add an extra challenge!

Ben

[DarthChicken]

Its closed at times, so may not be open in Jan.  You never know.

Sucks they are paving it all the way to the top... the excuse about errosion destroying a national monument.. yeah... as if this is a new problem. 

[CalScot]

I have spent a lot of time fly fishing in the high elevation plains around Pikes Peak in the summers past. I have been to the top once. It's a fantastic drive up the mountain. In the summer months the area is notorious for wicked afternoon thunderstorms. When I drove up there, the lightning was all around me and the thunder was just body shattering. Truly an amazing experience being litteraly inside a major thunderstorm.

The Atom would require extensive modifications to comply with the safety requirements. From a full roll cage to firewalls, to fire systems and new approved seats and probably a metal floor. It would be cheaper and easier to buy a car from somebody who built it to comply with the rules a previous year and then upgrade it to suit.

I would certainly love to drive my Atom to Colorado on a big road trip to be a spectator someday.

[MonsieurX]

benyeats > Dude, that's the point! Drift in the dirt like a Lancia Stratos did!

I owned a Saporro and even without LSD it was just tits to ride it in the snow or dirt with semi slick tires (i couldn't afford new ones at the time!)

[Terry Kennedy]

[quote="MonsieurX"]
Hi, im a fan of Pikes Peak...

I was wondering if any of you ever tried to race an Atom up there?[/quote]

While not a race, you can drive an Atom to the top of Mount Evans, which is (slightly) taller than Pikes Peak:

[Wmcmanus]

I've been up Pikes Peak to the top in a rental car, driving at fairly conservative speeds and must say that you would have to be absolutely out of your mind to race up that mountain in any kind of car, let alone an Atom!  It would be one scary ride at speed, that's for sure.  You would need at least 6" of clearance, and preferably more if you were actually trying to "race" in any fashion.

[MonsieurX]

i lived through 8 chicago winters and 8 summers in Ecuador, im sure i can handle it
Doing a 11" time would surely be mental but i can imagine it...

I'd love to race up there in an Atom...