Big rig racer Mike Ryan will battle for the title onceagain in the exhibition division of the 90th Annual Pikes Peak International Hill Climb on Sunday, August 12th. Ryan, the record holder with six records and twelve Pikes Peak International Hill Climb class wins, will be attempting to beat his time of 12.46.81.
Ryan will be racing in his Freightliner Cascadia Special Race Truck, designed specifically for this year’s climb. The truck is powered by a 2,350 HP Detroit Diesel Series 60 Race Spec Engine with BD Turbo/ Borg Warner Compound Turbo System. It has a ZF five-speed transmission that has been modified for racing. At 2,700 RPM, the truck can reach speeds up to 120 miles per hour!
Since 1916, drivers and motorcycle riders have challenged this 12.46-mile course, which runs from mile 7 of Pikes Peak Highway to the 14,110-foot summit of Pikes Peak. The traditionally dirt mountain run, with 156 turns, cliffs of 2,000 feet and no guardrails has been completely paved and could mean a whole new ballgame for the racers.
“To get the truck ready for the paved trail we had to add a dual ‘air over hydraulic’ brake system and stiffen the suspension,” says Ryan. “To get myself ready I will be entering an endurance race and will go to kart racing school to get as many laps as possible to practice driving smoothly; stunt driving is about over doing it and it only looks fast.”
Ryan has been a stunt driver for over 30 years. You’ve seen Ryan in some of your favorite action films like Men In Black III and Fast Five where he was filmed tearing up the pavement, busting through concrete barriers, launching cars off bridges and even pushing a safe down the freeway while cop cars pursue.
Check back to see the results of Ryan’s race to the clouds and to see video of his big rig in action!