Practice Day One Preview

HILL CLIMB AUTO/TRUCK TECH INSPECTION CONCLUDES

Drivers Gear Up for Practice on the Peak

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (June 28,1999) -Auto and truck technical inspection for the 1999 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb concluded today in downtown Colorado Springs as competitors began gearing up for tomorrow's practice sessions on the Peak. The 77th Annual "Race to the Clouds" is slated for July 4 on the Pikes Peak Highway near Colorado Springs.

High-performance showroom stock driver Jeff Zwart of Woody Creek, Colo., spoke philosophically of his quest to win a sixth consecutive Hill Climb title.

"Every year is a different year. It's an ever-evolving thing; there are days when you drive up there and it's a completely different experience from the day before," said the 43-year-old television commercial director. "But every year there are two or three corners that I just love the feeling of. I look so forward to hitting them."

U.S. national rally champ Phil Choiniere of Shelburne, Vt., was enthusiastic about driving a new Hyundai/1999 Tiburon on the Peak.

"I'm trying not to be too optimistic, but everything seems to be good," said the 35-year-old father of four. "The mountain can't really be conquered; I just want to get to the top and feel that I've done the best that I could do. It seems every year I get to the top and just want to go to the bottom and do it all over again."

Andy Bornhop, features editor for Road & Track magazine, will be making his second appearance on the Hill as a Pikes Peak open division competitor.

"I fell in love with this race when I last competed in 1992, and I've been dying to get back," said Bornhop, who will drive a Hyundai/1996 Elantra. "It's just you against the mountain; it's that simple. But with the changing conditions and weather being such a variable it can really be a challenge."

Auto and truck competitor practice runs will be held from 5:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. tomorrow, June 29, on the Pikes Peak Highway. The following divisions will practice from the start line: unlimited, open wheel, Pikes Peak open, and high performance showroom stock. Practicing from the middle section: super stock truck, pro truck, electric, and super stock car. Class 8 trucks and sprints will practice from the top section of the course. A complete schedule of the week's Hill Climb events follows this release.

Tickets for the 1999 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb are available online at http://www.ppihc.com, the Hill Climb Auto Educational Museum in Manitou Springs, King Soopers throughout Colorado, Tire Centers Inc. in Colorado Springs, the U.S. Air Force Academy, and Colorado Springs military installations.

The Pikes Peak International Hill Climb is held annually on July 4 in cooperation with the City of Colorado Springs and the U.S. Forest Service. The Race attracts an international field of auto, truck, and motorcycle competitors. Its 12.42-mile course on a groomed gravel highway to the 14,110 ft. summit of Pikes Peak is open to the public.

The event is presented by ADT Automotive. Other sponsors include Pennzoil, Pirelli Tire, Toyota Motor Sales USA, The Robert Bosch Corporation, Rex Tire of Colorado Springs, Ultra Wheel Co., Contract Freighters, Inc., Kenworth, and Barnett Tool. The Hill Climb is the principal fund raising event for the Pikes Peak Auto Hill Climb Educational Museum.

1999 PIKES PEAK INTERNATIONAL HILL CLIMB

RACE WEEK SCHEDULE

Tuesday, June 29

4-5:00am Pikes Peak Toll Gate Open5:30-9am Auto/Truck Practice (Pikes Peak Highway)

Wednesday, June 30

4-5:00am Pikes Peak Toll Gate Open

5:30-9am Auto/Truck Practice (Pikes Peak Highway)

Thursday, July 1

4-5:00am Pikes Peak Toll Gate Open

5:30-9am Auto/Truck Practice (Pikes Peak Highway)

9am-4pm Motorcycle Tech Inspection (Giuseppe's Depot)

Friday, July 2

4-5:30am Pikes Peak Toll Gate Open

5:30-10am Auto/Truck Qualifying (Start Line to Glen Cove, Pikes Peak Highway)

Motorcycle/Quad Practice (Cove Creek to Summit, Pikes Peak Highway)

Saturday, July 3

4-5:30am Pikes Peak Toll Gate Open

5:30-9am Motorcycle/Quad Practice (Start Line to Glen Cove, Pikes Peak)

12pm-10pm Pikes Peak Highway Toll Gate Open for Overnight Parking

Sunday, July 4

4-8:30am Pikes Peak Toll Gate Open

9:00 a.m. Pikes Peak Highway Closes to Regular Traffic at Start Line

Start Line and Summit Press Areas Open for Duration of Race9:30am Challenge of Champions (Pikes Peak Highway)

10:30am 77th Annual "Race to the Clouds"