French driver Dayraut to challenge in Pikes Peak Hill Climb Unlimited class

The worldwide flavor of the 89^th Pikes Peak International Hill Climb grew with the announcement that famous French driver Jean-Philippe Dayraut will be on America’s Mountain on June 26 in the Unlimited Division to challenge five-time champion Nobuhiro Tajima of Japan and veteran stars Rhys Millen and Paul Dallenbach.

The drivers will once again have their eyes on breaking the Peak’s elusive 10-minute barrier. Tajima, going for his sixth straight Unlimited title, set the record of 10:01.408 in 2007.

The 41-year-old Dayraut, a three-time “Champion de France,” and reigning Andros champion, will drive a prototype Dacia Duster, equipped with a tubular frame and a 3.5L twin-turbo 850hp, 900kg engine, four-wheel drive, and oversize fins built with the help of Tork Engineering and Renault Sport.

“Pikes Peak is a project that is dear to my heart since my teenage years,” said Dayraut. “It is a very extreme human challenge, where we need to show adaptability. And it is the most important race in the USA after Indianapolis. If I can challenge, or even beat the record, it is the guarantee of international recognition.”

“For me, this race is motorsport in its purest form, because it met the technical elements and extreme sports and simple. A 22km sprint race on a track half land, half asphalt in a magical setting, with a vehicle with a technical regulation is the most rudimentary "Unlimited Class," power-ended, no weight limit, unrestricted aerodynamics, transmission and tires not limited to, all say they can release into the design of an outsized vehicle,” he added.

A featured event along with the race, is the popular “Fan Fest,” which takes place on Friday evening, June 24, in downtown Colorado Springs, with more than 30,000 fans expected on hand to meet the competitors, see the autos and motorcycles, and enjoy music, food and entertainment.

Note

Savannah Rickli, the youngest female driver to cross the finish line at the Hill Climb, is headed back to the mountain. Rickli (Littleton) was 16 years and 11 months old when she finished third in the Time Attack 2WD division last year and was awarded the prestigious "rookie of the year" award by event organizers. Rebecca Greek, one of the most respected co-drivers in North America, will once again partner with Savannah, guiding her up one of the most treacherous race courses in the world. Official entries number 179.

Ticket prices begin at $40, with a Family Four-Pack available at $125 and VIP admission priced at $80. Tickets, limited camping permits and all other race information is available at  www.ppihc.com