PROTRUCK RACING ORGANIZATION, INC. Phone (619) 390-6252 Fax (619) 390-6470 Email us at: info@protruck.com Copyright © 2010	Protruck News Release Protruck Takes on Pikes Peak PPIHC - Pikes Peak, Colorado Springs, CO July 20, 2009 The Baja Protrucks took on the infamous Pikes Peak International Hill climb this past weekend. The Pikes Peak International Hill Climb is the second oldest motor sports race in America and a long-standing tradition in Colorado Springs and the Pikes Peak Region. First competed in 1916 and this year marked the 87th running of the "Race to the Clouds." The race is run on a 12.42 mile course with 156 turns that begins at 9,390 feet and finishes at the 14,110 foot summit of America’s Mountain; Pikes Peak! As the drivers climb toward the summit, the thin air slows reflexes and saps muscle strength. The thin air also robs engines of 30% of their power at the summit. Competitors and vehicles must be in top shape simply to finish...let alone win! The race week began Tuesday, July 14 with tech inspection at the Host Hotel. Every vehicle undergoes a rigorous inspection with a concentration on safety issues. Practice and qualifying took place Wednesday through Friday from 5:30 to 8:30 am on Pikes Peak. The Baja Protrucks would practice on three different sections of the hill on separate days with the second day ran on the lower section. The lower section times would dictate what stating position each competitor would have for race day on Sunday. Tom Koch and Rob Reinertson could not have been much closer. Koch squeezed the top qualifying spot by the slimmest of margins. Qualifying (Lower Section Time only) results for the Baja Protruck Class were as follows: 1. Tom Koch 6:21.562 Ford 2. Rob Reinertson 6:21.659 Ford 3. Dave Mason 6:23.859 Ford 4. Rob Clouser 6:26.287 Dodge 5. Troy Vest 6:31.831 Chevy 6. Aaron Guthrie 6:37.507 Ford Leading up to the event weather would not play a role in practice and/or qualifying. All week long the competitors would enjoy beautiful sunny skies. Then came race day on Sunday. With the potential for rain in the forecast all competitors were hoping that there run up the hill would prove to be picture perfect like days prior. Well that didn't happen. The rain came and made things really interesting. After practicing all week on a perfectly dry track. The racers now had to change their mental focus from dry conditions to wet conditions in order to conquer the hill on a wet slick surface. After all runs were in Aaron Guthrie would take home the win in a time of 14:27.029. Final Baja Protruck results: 1. Aaron Guthrie 14:27.029 Ford 2. Rob Clouser 14:29.352 Dodge 3. Rob Reinertson 14:42.772 Ford 4. Troy Vest 14:48.511 Chevy 5. Tom Koch DNF Ford 6. Dave Mason DNF Ford