J R Hildebrand in ZR1X Corvette wins in record time at Pikes Peak

J R Hildebrand, # 3 won the Time Attack class on June 21 at the Pikes Peak Hillclimb navigating 156 curves and switchbacks over the 12.42-mile course in Cascade Colorado near the famed Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs. 

 His time of 9:30.104 eclipsed the old record for a production car by 23 seconds and beat Jeff Zwart, a longtime Corvette nemesis in his 2017 Porsche GT2 Club Sport by 14 seconds.

Executive Corvette Chief Engineer Tony Roma who recruited the former Indy Car driver Hildebrand was on hand to witness the bone stock 1,250 hp ZR1X twin turbo AWD claim victory in a Stars and Steel edition equipped with a fuel cell, roll cage, seat belts, fire system, cutoff switches and riding on DOT Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R tires.

Emelia Hartford, # 9 in her 1,064 hp twin turbo ZR1 Corvette finished fourth at 10:11.018, ahead of 8 others in the Time Attack Class.

Hartford, based in Hollywood, has over 2 million followers on her YouTube channel. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6fuBVuT5m4&t=26s

Some might argue that hill climbs like Pikes Peak, with no guardrails and sheer drop-offs are more dangerous than wheel-to-wheel racing.  That has not crossed the mind of Tracy Gaudu in her 2008 C6 Z06 Corvette who finished 6th with a time of 10:54.016 ahead of 17 other drivers in the Pikes Peak Open class.

The Pikes Peak International Hill Climb is sanctioned in partnership with

the United States Auto Club (USAC).  Tracy’s team was one of two to win the coveted HELLA Hype Award for teams that earn the most passionate fan support on the mountain.

Photos by Larry Chen.