2003 SCCA ProRally Championship at Pikes Peak Hillclimb Announcement

2003 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb

Competitors from around the world are gearing up for the 81st time to 
challenge America's Mountain. This international event will be staged on June 
22-28, 2003.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - The Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, the 
second-oldest, consecutively run, auto race in the US, will be contested for 
the 81st time on June 28th, 2003.

Considered to be one of the world's classic races, the "Race to the Clouds" 
is now a full part of the SCCA Pro Rally Championship schedule. SCCA drivers 
and manufacturers will earn points toward their respective championships at 
Pikes Peak in 2003. It is a coup for both the Hill Climb and SCCA, which made 
its first visit to the 14,110-foot summit of Pikes Peak in 2002 and came away 
impressed, and determined to return.

"The SCCA and the ProRally Championship are very enthusiastic about coming to 
Pikes Peak for the 2003 event," said Kurt Spitzner, Championship Director for 
SCCA ProRally. "Following a very successful demonstration event in 2002, the 
SCCA is delighted to include PPIHC as a ProRally Championship points race in 
2003."

The SCCA ProRally Championship will bring about 35 cars, including 
competitors in the Open, Group N, and a new 2-wheel-drive exhibition 
category, to Pikes Peak in 2003.

"Our intent in coming to Pikes Peak was to demonstrate to event organizers as 
well as the fans, that the raw essence of Performance Rallying and the raw 
essence of Hill Climbing are closely related," Spitzner said. "As we move 
forward with SCCA ProRally at Pikes Peak, I think fans will get a better show 
with the drivers' points race and more of the exceptionally close racing 
experienced in 2002."

The race will also include a full field of Pro Class Motorcycles, Quads, 
Vintage Bikes and Sidecars, along with the Unlimited, Super Stock Car, Super 
Stock Truck and SUV, Open Wheel and the popular Big Rig truck division.

The 12.4-mile multi surface course is world famous. Its drastic changes in 
elevation, combined with 156 distinctively different corners, cliffs of 2,000 
feet, and no guardrails challenge the best of the best. The race attracts 
media attention from around the world and is broadcast in 56 countries on 
ESPN2.

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