Pikes Peak names Grand Marshals

RACING LEGENDS HARRY GANT AND BOB BONDURANT TO SERVE AS HONORARY GRAND MARSHALS FOR 83RD "RACE TO THE CLOUDS

Colorado Springs, CO -- June 15, 2005 -- The Falken Tire Pikes Peak International Hill Climb today announced that Harry Gant, the winner of 18 Winston Cup events during his 21-year career, will drive the 2005 Ford F-250 Super Duty Short Bed Pace Truck and serve as an Honorary Grand Marshal of the 83rd "Race to the Clouds". Also serving as an Honorary Grand Marshal in 2005 will be the internationally recognized authority on advanced driver training, Bob Bondurant.

"We are thrilled to have NASCAR legend Harry Gant pacing the field of this legendary event in the 2005 Ford F250 Super Duty Short Bed Pickup pace vehicle," said Chairman of the Hill Climb Board Mike Cimino. "It's also an honor to have both Harry and Bob Bondurant serve as our Honorary Grand Marshals."

Harry Gant earned the name "Mr. September" in 1991 for wining four consecutive NASCAR Winston Cup races that month at Darlington, Richmond, Dover Downs and Martinsville -- tying the modern (1972-present) record. Gant finished his career with 18 Winston Cup victories. He finished second in the 1984 Winston Cup points race and third in 1981 and 1985. His total career earnings were $7,882,084.

Bob Bondurant started racing when he was 18. In 1963 Bondurant joined Carol Shelby's Ford Cobra team, which resulted in a World Manufacturers' Championship for the United States in 1965. The year also afforded him the opportunity to race Formula One for the factory Ferrari team in the 1965 U.S. Grand Prix at Watkins Glen. In 1966, Bondurant continued in Formula One driving a privately owned BRM and for Gurney's All American Racers team. He also drove for Ferrari in the 1966 World Manufacturers' Championship. In 1968 Bondurant open his world-renowned School of High Performance Driving, and the rest as they say is history.

The Falken Tire Pikes Peak International Hill Climb is a long-standing tradition in Colorado Springs and the second oldest motorsports event in the United States. An annual event since 1916, 2005 marks the 83rd running of the "Race to the Clouds". The race is run on a 12-mile course that begins at 9,200 feet and finishes at the 14,110-foot summit of Pikes Peak. It features a variety of automotive, semi truck and motorcycle classes with an average of 150 competitors. In 2005, the race is slated for Saturday June 25th.

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