Tickets On Sale for the 104th Running of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb as CEO Melissa Eick
With tickets officially going on sale today for the 104th Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, anticipation is already building for one of motorsports’ most legendary events. During a special interview on Race Industry Week, Melissa Eickhoff, CEO of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, offered an in-depth look at the fan experience, the race’s growing global reach, its role as a proving ground for innovation, and what newcomers can expect when they make their pilgrimage to America’s Mountain.
Held at an astonishing 14,115 feet above sea level, the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb remains one of the most raw and demanding competitions in all of motorsport—where drivers battle not just one another, but the mountain itself.
A Fan Experience Unlike Any Other in Motorsport
Race day on Pikes Peak is famously unlike any traditional racetrack event. With only one road up the mountain and no re-entry once spectators are in place, the day becomes a full-scale adventure. To improve the experience, tickets are now sold by designated spectator zones with timed entries, allowing fans to secure their favorite viewing areas in advance and reducing the historic “wagon-rush” atmosphere.
Despite extreme winds in 2025 that forced officials to alter spectator positioning and shorten the course, Eickhoff praised the patience and resilience of fans.
“It had never happened before, and our fans embraced the adventure. It was still very much Pikes Peak—and that says a lot about this community,” Eickhoff said.
From American Tradition to Global Motorsport Stage
Once considered a uniquely American spectacle, Pikes Peak has evolved into a truly international motorsport event. Roughly 50% of its live-stream audience now comes from outside the United States, with especially strong followings in Europe and Asia. Italian and French manufacturers and teams continue to make significant commitments to the event, transporting cars overseas for extended race preparation.
“Our awareness is actually higher in parts of Europe and Asia than it is locally in Colorado,” Eickhoff noted. “That international presence is reflected not just in viewership, but also in our competitors.”
The race’s global legacy was celebrated again in 2025 with the Hall of Fame induction of Michèle Mouton, the first woman and first non-American winner of Pikes Peak, forty years after her groundbreaking victory.
A Level Playing Field for Women in Motorsport
Pikes Peak continues to stand out as one of the most inclusive motorsport events in the world. Between 6% and 10% of the annual field is made up of women, a percentage rarely matched in elite racing.
“Here, it’s completely normal for women to be competitive and compete at the highest level,” Eickhoff explained. “The mountain doesn’t care who you are—only that you make it to the top.”
From international stars like Katherine Legge to grassroots racers entering on passion and perseverance alone, the hill climb’s structure and accessibility help keep participation broad and welcoming.
A Proving Ground for the Future of Mobility
Beyond competition, Pikes Peak has become one of the world’s most prestigious technology test labs. Manufacturers use the climb to validate combustion, electric, and now hydrogen fuel-cell technologies in one of the harshest environments on Earth.
Recent years have seen:
- Ford and Romain Dumas using Pikes Peak as a launch platform for electric performance.
- Honda’s hydrogen-powered CR-V showcasing zero-emission endurance.
- Record-setting EV performances across multiple divisions.
“You gain over 5,000 feet of elevation in 12.42 miles. Every corner becomes a data point,” said Eickhoff. “The marketing and technical value of winning here is evergreen.”
A Parade of Performance: One of Motorsport’s Most Diverse Fields
From Unlimited class monsters to GT4 cars, Time Attack machines, vintage throwbacks, and experimental technology, Pikes Peak’s deliberately flexible class structure allows nearly every form of motorsport excellence to shine.
“It’s like a parade of Hot Wheels going up the mountain,” Eickhoff said. “That variety reflects 104 years of motorsport evolution—and we protect that by design.”
The Mountain Creates Lifelong Competitors
Many drivers arrive with Pikes Peak on their “bucket list,” only to return year after year—drawn back by unfinished challenges and the community within the paddock.
“Everyone helps everyone just to get to the start line,” Eickhoff explained. “By the time race day comes, the mountain is the ultimate opponent for all of them.”
Community, Conservation & Economic Impact
The Hill Climb operates through close cooperation with the City of Colorado Springs, Teller and El Paso Counties, Colorado Springs Utilities, and the U.S. Forest Service, ensuring environmental stewardship of one of the nation’s most treasured landscapes.
The race delivers a major economic impact to the region, reinforcing why the event was created more than a century ago: to bring tourism and global attention to Colorado Springs and America’s Mountain.
Fan Fest: When Pikes Peak Owns Colorado Springs
The annual Fan Fest, held in downtown Colorado Springs, transforms the city into a massive motorsport celebration. Tens of thousands of fans pack the streets to meet drivers and see cars up close—a powerful recruiting tool for new fans who may not yet realize they’re attending a world-famous hill climb.
How Melissa Eickhoff Became CEO
Eickhoff’s journey to the helm of Pikes Peak includes roles with Yokohama Tire, Penske, and numerous global racing organizations. Her diverse motorsport background prepared her for the unique logistical, environmental and operational challenges of running a race that spans nearly three vertical miles.
“The solutions that work at Watkins Glen won’t work here,” she said. “Everything has to be adapted to the mountain.”
Advice for First-Time Spectators
For newcomers planning their first visit in June 2026, Eickhoff recommends:
- Fan Fest on Friday
- Hydrate and rest on Saturday
- Arrive before 2–5 a.m. on race morning
- Popular viewing areas include Halfway Picnic Grounds (high speeds) and Devil’s Playground (above treeline with unmatched scenery).
“What you think you know about Pikes Peak—you don’t,” she said. “Be ready for an adventure.”
Applications Opening for Competitors
Competitor applications for the 2026 Hill Climb open Thursday, December 4, marking the official start of the next chapter of this legendary race.
About the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb
Founded in 1916, the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb is the second-oldest motorsports race in America and one of the most prestigious hill climbs in the world. Known as The Race to the Clouds, it challenges the world’s best drivers, engineers and manufacturers over 12.42 miles of twisting mountain road climbing more than 5,000 vertical feet to the summit of Pikes Peak.
