Pikes Peak International Raceway facts for kids
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| Location | 16650 Midway Ranch Road, Fountain, Colorado, 80817 |
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| Coordinates | 38°35′29.85″N 104°40′34.39″W / 38.5916250°N 104.6762194°W |
| Capacity | 10,000 40,000 |
| Owner | Pikes Peak International Raceway, LLC |
| Opened | 1997 |
| Construction cost | $50 million |
| Major events | USAC Silver Crown Series |
| D-Shaped Oval | |
| Surface | Asphalt |
| Length | 1.00 mi (1.61 km) |
| Turns | 4 |
| Banking | 10° |
| Road Course | |
| Surface | Asphalt |
| Length | 1.30 mi (2.09 km) |
| Turns | 9 |
| Banking | varying |
| Short Oval | |
| Surface | Asphalt |
| Length | 0.25 mi (0.40 km) |
| Turns | 4 |
Pikes Peak International Raceway (PPIR) is a racetrack in the Colorado Springs area within the city limits of Fountain, Colorado, that by October 12, 1997, was "the fastest 1-mile paved oval anywhere". The speedway hosted races in several series including the Indy Racing League and two NASCAR series (Busch and Truck) until operations were suspended 2005–08. A wide variety of amateur racing groups use PPIR for racing and training, and many NASCAR teams use PPIR for testing.
Contents
History
Racing in the Pikes Peak Region included 19th century horse tracks (e.g., to the west of Colorado Springs' Palmer House along Fountain Creek by 1882 and to the north by 1903, the "Roswell Racing Park"), The Platte Avenue go-kart track closed c. 1990, the greyhound track closed c. 2005 and is now an off track betting facility, and the Olympic velodrome in Memorial Park is a remaining racing venue within the city.
Pikes Peak Meadows
Pikes Peak Meadows was a dirt horse racing track facility opened in 1964 20 mi (32 km) south of Colorado Springs and 25 mi (40 km) north of Pueblo, Colorado, with a large, blue, covered grandstand on the west. After its horse racing ended in 1993, C. C. Myers "announced plans in May 1996 to build a major auto racing facility" at Pikes Peak Meadows.
Speedway development
In 1997, "Apollo Real Estate Advisors LP formed a joint venture January 30 with Raceway Associates, a partnership headed by California contractor and developer C.C. Myers Inc, to own and run the 1,300-acre" speedway complex. The asphalt track was constructed 6 ft (1.8 m) below the "normal ground level", C.C. Myers planned "to get a big-time NASCAR race in 1998", and the facility had an open house for the local community on May 31, 1997. The first race's attendance (June 8) was 16,810, the Richard Petty Driving Experience used PPIR July 2–17, the first IRL Series race on June 28 was televised, and a Winston West 500K race was held in July 1997.
International Speedway Corporation
Earlier in 1996, a competing track near Denver in Adams County, Colorado was attempted by Penske Motorsports, Inc. which merged in 1999 with the International Speedway Corporation. In 2002 ISC gained "the right of first refusal should PPIR owners decide to sell their 1,200-acre complex" and in October 2005 for $11 million, "bought out the owners of Pikes Peak International Raceway" (racing operations were suspended and the scoreboard was moved to Texas Motor Speedway.) In 2006, meetings "between attorneys representing [Commerce City, near Denver] and International Speedway Corporation" were conducted before ISC "announced in February [1997] that it was eyeing land in Commerce City as well as eastern Aurora for the track. It envision[ed] a $360 million to $400 million track and stadium that could hold 75,000 to 80,000 fans." A new opposition group, Commerce City Citizens and Business Alliance, endorsed anti-raceway candidates which won local elections, and in May 1997 "ISC executive Wesley Harris said the 1,300-acre parcel the company was considering near Denver International Airport was not compatible with its needs". ISC sold PPIR in November 2006 (the purchase closed in the first quarter of 2007), and PPIR operations resumed in 2008.
Current races
On December 6, 2012, USAC announced that PPIR would be on the 2013 USAC Traxxas Silver Crown Series schedule. Pikes Peak International Raceway would host the richest event in SRL Southwest Tour history as announced on April 23, 2013. PPIR also hosts regional club road course races such as the National Auto Sport Association (NASA) and SCCA as well as local enthusiast events such as track days, drifting events, and car shows.
PPIR currently hosts the largest autocross racing series in the Rocky Mountain Region, PPIR Time Attack. The series consists of 8-10 races per year on varying courses on the infield of the track. Courses run from 40 seconds to 1min 5 secs with competitors taking five runs to best their times. The series is based on weight to power and drivetrain classes, including front wheel drive, rear wheel drive, all-wheel drive and a XX class for non-conforming cars or non-street-legal cars.
Race results
| Date | Series | Winning driver | Vehicle | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014-09/28 | SRL SPEARS Southwest Tour | Derek Thorn | SPEARS Manufacturing Colorado 100 | |
| 2013-09/29 | SRL SPEARS Southwest Tour | Greg Voigt | SPEARS Manufacturing Colorado 100 | |
| 2013-09-27/28 | NASA Rocky Mountain | Garrett Edmunds | Chevrolet | |
| 2013-06-29 | USAC Silver Crown Series | Bobby East | Tony Stewart/Curb Agajanian Performance Group Chevrolet Performance/Curb Beast/Kistler | TRAXXAS USAC Silver Crown Championship "Rocky Mountain Classic" 100 |
| 2013-06-29 | USAC National Midget Championship | Tracy Hines | Parker Machinery/Turbines, Inc. Spike/Stanton Toyota | Honda USAC National Midget “Rocky Mountain Classic” 25 |
| 2009-05-23 | United States Late Model Association | Danny Burson | ||
| 2005-08-21 | IRL |  Dan Wheldon |
Andretti Dallara/Honda | Honda Indy 225 |
| 2005-08-21 | Indy Lights |  Jeff Simmons |
Team ISI Dallara / Infiniti | Infiniti Pro Series Pikes Peak 100 |
| 2005-08-21 | NASCAR West Series | Steve Portenga | Chevrolet | NAPA Auto Parts 150 |
| 2005-07-23 | NASCAR Busch | David Green | Brewco Ford (#27) | ...Salute to the Troops 250 |
| 2005-07-23 | NASCAR AutoZone Elite Division, Southwest Series
NASCAR AutoZone Elite Division, Midwest Series |
Jim Pettit, II | Ford | King Soopers Freedom 150 |
| 2005-07-03 | USAC National Midget Championship
USAC Western States Midget Series |
Michael Lewis | Rocky Mountain Classic | |
| 2005-07-03 | USAC Weld Racing Silver Crown Series | Dave Steele | Rocky Mountain Classic | |
| 2004-08-22 | IRL |  Dario Franchitti |
Andretti Dallara/Honda | Honda Indy 225 |
| 2004-08-22 | Indy Lights | P. J. Chesson |
Pioneer Dallara / Infiniti | Infiniti Pro Series Pikes Peak 100 |
| 2004-07-31 | NASCAR Busch | Greg Biffle | Ford | Gould Pumps/ITT Industries Salute to the Troops 250 |
| 2004-07-31 | NASCAR AutoZone Elite Division, Midwest Series | Eddie Hoffman | Freedom 150 | |
| 2004-07-04 | USAC Weld Racing Silver Crown Series | Jay Drake | King Soopers Rocky Mountain Classic | |
| 2004-07-04 | USAC Valvoline National Sprint Car Series | Dave Steele | King Soopers Rocky Mountain Classic | |
| 2004-07-04 | USAC National Midget Series
USAC Western States Midget Series |
Dave Steele | King Soopers Rocky Mountain Classic | |
| 2003-07-26 | NASCAR Busch | Scott Wimmer | Chevrolet | TrimSpa Dream Body 250 presented by Dodge |
| 2003-07-26 | NASCAR International Truck & Engine Corporation Midwest Series | Steve Carlson | Chevrolet | Wright Group Event Services 150 |
| 2003-07-04 | USAC Weld Racing Silver Crown Series | Jay Drake | Rocky Mountain Classic | |
| 2003-07-04 | USAC Valvoline National Sprint Car Series
USAC Western Sprint Car Series |
Tracy Hines | Rocky Mountain Classic | |
| 2003-07-04 | USAC National Midget Series
USAC Western States Midget Series |
Dave Steele | Rocky Mountain Classic | |
| 2003-06-15 | IRL |  Scott Dixon |
Ganassi G-Force/Toyota | Honda Indy 225 |
| 2003-06-14 | Indy Lights | Aaron Fike |
RFMS Dallara / Infiniti | Infiniti Pro Series Pikes Peak 100 |
| 2002-07-27 | NASCAR Busch | Hank Parker Jr. | Dodge | NetZero 250 |
| 2002-07-27 | NASCAR RE/MAX Challenge Series | Tim Schendel | Chevrolet | Rent-Rite West 150 |
| 2002-06-16 | IRL |  Gil de Ferran |
Penske Dallara/Chevrolet | Radisson Indy 225 |
| 2002-06-16 | USAC Weld Racing Silver Crown Series | Brian Tyler | ||
| 2002-05-19 | NASCAR Truck | Mike Bliss | Xpress Chevrolet (#16) | Rocky Mountain 200 |
| 2002-05-19 | NASCAR Featherlite Southwest Series | Eddy McKean | Pontiac | Pikes Peak 100 |
| 2001-07-28 | NASCAR Busch | Jeff Purvis | Chevrolet | NAPA Auto Care 250 |
| 2001-07-28 | NASCAR RE/MAX Challenge Series | Jon Lemke | Chevrolet | Rent-Rite West 150 |
| 2001-06-17 | IRL | Buddy Lazier |
Hemelgarn Dallara/Oldsmobile | Radisson Indy 200 |
| 2001-06-17 | USAC Coors Light Silver Bullet Series | Dave Steele | ||
| 2001-06-16 | Supermodified Racing League | Troy Regler | Pikes Peak 25 | |
| 2001 | NASCAR Truck | Joe Ruttman | Dodge | Jelly Belly 200 |
| 2001-05-20 | NASCAR Featherlite Southwest Series | Craig Raudman | Chevrolet | Sunstate Equipment Company 100 |
| 2000-07-22 | NASCAR Busch | Jeff Green | Chevrolet | NAPA Auto Care 250 |
| 2000-07-22 | NASCAR RE/MAX Challenge Series | Travis Kvapil | Chevrolet | Jensen Audio 150 |
| 2000-06-18 | IRL | Eddie Cheever |
Cheever Dallara/Infiniti | Radisson 200 |
| 2000-06-18 | USAC MCI WorldCom National Midget Car Series
USAC MCI WorldCom Western Midget Car Series |
Ryan Newman | ||
| 2000-05-21 | NASCAR Truck | Greg Biffle | Ford | Grainger.com 200 |
| 2000-05-21 | NASCAR Featherlite Southwest Series | Ross Thompson | Chevrolet | Sunstate Equipment Company 100 |
| 1999-08-29 | IRL | Greg Ray |
Menard Dallara/Oldsmobile | Radisson 200 |
| 1999-08-29 | USAC MCI WorldCom National Midget Car Series
USAC MCI WorldCom Western Midget Car Series Ryan Newman |
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| 1999-07-24 | NASCAR Busch | Andy Santerre | Chevrolet | NAPA Auto Care 250 |
| 1999-07-24 | NASCAR RE/MAX Challenge Series | Travis Kvapil | Chevrolet | Jensen 150 |
| 1999-06-27 | USAC Coors Light Silver Bullet Series | Tracy Hines | Rocky Mountain Classic | |
| 1999-05-16 | NASCAR Truck | Mike Wallace | Ford | NAPA 300K |
| 1999-05-16 | NASCAR West | Mike Wallace | Ford | King Soopers 150 |
| 1998-09-27 | USAC Western Sprint Car Series | Tony Hunt | ||
| 1998-08-16 | IRL |  Kenny Bräck |
Foyt Dallara/Oldsmobile | Radisson 200 |
| 1998-08-15 | ASA AC-Delco Challenge Series | Mike Garvey | Pontiac | Cornwall Tools 200 |
| 1998-07-26 | NASCAR West | Kevin Harvick | Chevrolet | Kidde Safety Safety 200 |
| 1998-07-26 | NASCAR RE/MAX Challenge Series | Rick Carelli | Chevrolet | Pikes Peak 150 |
| 1998-07-25 | NASCAR Truck | Ron Hornaday | Chevrolet | Tempus Resorts 300K |
| 1998-07-14 | NASCAR Busch | Matt Kenseth | Chevrolet | Lycos.com 250 |
| 1998-07-12 | USAC Silver Crown Series | John Heydenreich | Rocky Mountain Classic | |
| 1998-07-12 | ARCA Bondo Mar-Hyde Series | Tim Steele | Ford | Pikes Peak ARCA 150 |
| 1998-07-12 | USAC National Midget Car Series
USAC Western States Midget Series |
Jason Leffler | Nine Racing | Rocky Mountain Classic |
| 1998-06-13 | NASCAR RE/MAX Challenge Series | Jim Inglebright | Chevrolet | Cornwell Tools 150 |
| 1997-08-17 | AMA Superbike | Miguel Duhamel | Honda | MBNA Superbike Final |
| 1997-08-17 | AMA Superbike | Rich Oliver | Yamaha | ELF Fuels and Lubricants 250 Grand Prix |
| 1997-08-17 | AMA Superbike | Jason Pridmore | Suzuki | Teamline 750 Supersport |
| 1997-08-17 | AMA Superbike | Nate Wait | Harley Davidson | Progressive Insurance H-D Supertwins Final |
| 1997-08-17 | AMA Superbike | Paul Harrell | Yamaha | Pirelli Formula XTreme Final |
| 1997-07-27 | NASCAR Winston West | Michael Waltrip | Ford | NASCAR 500K |
| 1997-07-27 | USAC Western Sprint Car Series | Kevin Urton | ||
| 1997-06-29 | IRL | Tony Stewart |
Menard G-Force/Oldsmobile | Samsonite 200 |
| 1997-06-08 | USAC Silver Crown Series | Kenny Irwin, Jr | Rocky Mountain Classic | |
| 1997-06-08 | USAC National Midget Championship
USAC Western States Midget Series |
Ryan Newman | Rocky Mountain Classic |
See also
In Spanish: Pikes Peak International Raceway para niños
