At the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, the mountain is the star. Topping out at 14,115ft, the giant of the Front Range looms above the city of Colorado Springs and thrusts into the deep blue, pre-dawn sky as lights dazzle and dance around the bustling pits and final preparations are...

It’s 40 years since Pikes Peak International Hill Climb legend Bobby Unser earned his 10th and final King of the Mountain title in 1986 (main image). Some 18 years after his ninth overall win on the storied Colorado 14er, and four years after calling time on a racing career that...