Multiple records fall at 104th Pikes Peak Hill Climb

Records fell, rivalries were settled and history was made last Sunday on Pikes Peak as competitors from around the world tackled the 12.42-mile course in the 104th Running of The Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, presented by Gran Turismo.

Sunny skies and favorable conditions set the stage for one of the most memorable Pikes Peak race days in recent history. From record-setting performances to dramatic battles for class victories, competitors seized the opportunity to leave their mark on America's Mountain.

Leading the charge was France's Romain Dumas (pictured above), who secured his sixth King of the Mountain title following a week-long battle during practice with Robin Shute and defending champion Simone Faggioli.

"This year was a very special year and we had to push very hard. It was a very strong competition with Simone and Robin," said Dumas. "I think we had a lot of fun qualifying in third place, so I guess it was not clear who would win the race."

Dumas said it's not often you finish your run up Pikes Peak without any regrets, but that his run was clean and the car was well prepared.

"This is Pikes Peak; this is special," he said. "I think it's why we're all happy to come here each year and try again, and I'm sure we will be back here again next year to try for even more."

The battle for the front-wheel-drive record provided one of the day's most unexpected storylines. Daijiro Yoshihara lowered the mark in his Acura Integra Type S with a run of 10m33.174s, only to see rookie Jim Morris eclipse it moments later in his Volkswagen Golf with a time of 10m33.104s. The record fell twice in the span of three starting positions, a fitting example of the speed seen throughout the field on race day.

The battle between the Three Kings produced more than just an overall podium finish. Shute's runner-up time of 8m29.497s in the Sendycar V1 established a new rear-wheel-drive record on America's Mountain, surpassing the previous mark set by Faggioli in 2018.

Women continued to make their mark on "America's Mountain" in 2026. Five female competitors took the start in this year's field, each with her own unique connection to the Race to the Clouds. Laura Hayes entered race day as the fastest woman on four wheels, Kathryn Mead returned as a former Rookie of the Year, Tracy Gaudu added another chapter to her Pikes Peak resume, while Emelia Hartford and Ryan Cheek continued to build their own stories on the mountain.

Hayes, who has held the title of fastest woman on four wheels since 2024, lowered her own mark in her Toyota Supra GT4 EVO2 with a run of 10m17.538s. Later in the morning, Hartford, in her second year competing, raised the bar even higher, piloting her 2026 Chevrolet Corvette to a blistering time of 10m11.018s and claiming the title of fastest woman on four wheels.

"The mountain has tested me, humbled me, and pushed me beyond anything I thought possible," Hartford shared on Instagram. "To leave with this record is something I'll never forget."

Colorado Springs native and King of the Mountain David Donner added another chapter to his storied Pikes Peak career by setting a new production car record in his 2022 Porsche Turbo S. Donner's time of 9m53.740s bested the previous mark of 10m12.024s established by Rhys Millen in 2023.

One of the most anticipated rookies in the field, Italy's Franco Caruso, saw his Race to the Clouds come to an abrupt end when his 2018 Nova Proto NP01 Bardahl left the course and struck trees shortly after the start line. Caruso walked away uninjured.

French driver Bruce Jouanny went off course at Engineers Corner during his race day run. His Ligier JS2 R traveled more than 100 feet off course, narrowly missing trees and boulders before coming to a stop. Jouanny was uninjured.

Later in the day, Colorado native Patrick Culligan was involved in an incident near the summit while driving the 2026 Nighthawk Pikes Peak Special. Culligan was transported by LifeLine helicopter to UCHealth Memorial Hospital Central, where he underwent surgery to repair a broken pelvis and right femur. A titanium rod was inserted to stabilize the femur, and he is expected to make a full recovery.

PIKES PEAK OPEN

Rookie Billy Johnson delivered one of the day's standout performances, winning the Pikes Peak Open division and finishing sixth overall in his 2015 Porsche GT3 Turbo Cup "LUCY" with a time of 9m12.723s. Johnson, the fastest of the 15 rookies in the field, was named Rookie of the Year, presented by Kumho Tire.

Jimmy Ford finished second in his 2017 Ford Mustang at 9m3.882s, while rookie Valentin Simonet claimed third in class and 13th overall in a 2015 Renault RS 01 with a time of 9m59.903s.

TIME ATTACK 1

JR Hildebrand captured the Time Attack 1 victory in the 2026 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X with a time of 9m30.104s. Jeff Zwart finished second in his 2019 Porsche GT2 RS Clubsport at 9m44.189s, while David Donner completed the podium in a 2022 Porsche Turbo S with a time of 9m53.740s.

OPEN WHEEL

Colorado Springs native Dan Novembre earned the class victory in his 2013 Wolf GB08S TC Special, finishing fifth overall with a new division record time of 9m01.689s. Codie Vahsholtz placed second in his 2013 Ford Open at 9m16.344s, while Mirl Swan rounded out the podium in a 2006 Swift 016 Formula Atlantic with a time of 9m30.320s.

PIKES PEAK GT4 TROPHY BY YOKOHAMA

Laura Hayes continued her success on America's Mountain by winning the Pikes Peak GT4 Trophy by Yokohama Turbo class in her 2022 Toyota Supra GT4 EVO2 with a new class record time of 10m17.538s. Rookie Catesby Jones finished second in a 2025 BMW M4 GT4 EVO at 10m24.719s, while his teammate Carlos de Quesada completed the podium in an identical BMW GT4 with a time of 10m37.279s.

In the Naturally Aspirated GT4 class, Colorado's Clint Vahsholtz claimed the class victory in his 2022 Porsche GT4 with a time of 10m42.790s. It marked his 25th division win. Tad Cusack finished second in a 2024 Porsche 718 GT4 RS Clubsport at 10m51.109s.

UNLIMITED

While Dumas claimed the overall victory, the Unlimited division dominated all day. In the Unlimited Production Based class, Tom Tang finished second in his BMW E46 M3 at 10m06.413s, while Cole Powelson rounded out the podium in the Stryker RXX with a time of 10m18.356s.

After Shute and Faggioli taking 1 and 2 in Unlimited Super Unlimited class, Italy's Diego Degasperi claimed third in his Nova Proto NP01 Bardahl with a time of 8m57.388s.

EXHIBITION – ULTRA4 USA

The return of Ultra4 USA competition to Pikes Peak proved successful, with Loren Healy claiming the exhibition victory in his 2021 Ford Bronco with a time of 12m03.795s. Paul Wolff finished second in the 2018 UFO 4400 Truck at 12m35.300s, while Casey Currie completed the podium in a 2025 Jeep Gladiator with a time of 12:m50.100s.