Page 60 - KCRPCA NovDec 2022

“Once you get beyond the tree line and gaze below to the wispy clouds and soaring birds, ever so briefly, it is an out of this world experience.
ABOVE
The club gathers for the long and winding road to the top of Pikes Peak
Pikes Peak, named after explorer Zebulon Pike, was first inhabited around 500 A.D. by the Ute people. At 14,115 ft, it stands as one of the highest mountains
in the United States, west of the Mississippi.
In the North Pole’s parking
lot, we met up with Fred Veith and David Donner, our up
the mountain guides. Both gentlemen are veterans of the annual Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, now celebrating over 100 years of the race.
In years past, car clubs, with only a short briefing, were given free rein to drive up the mountain. However, after a few overzealous off-the-road incidents, that practice has changed. Now, experienced Pikes Peak drivers, like Fred and David, lead and
follow the pack, keeping things at a nice, safe but still rousing pace. Our guides also gave us insight into the race and some history of the mountain.
Regardless of how many times you may have driven up the snaky road to the top, it’s always a thrill. Once you get beyond the tree
line and gaze below to the wispy clouds and soaring birds, ever so briefly, it is an out of this world experience. Even though the sun sparkled brightly that day, jackets were needed to walk from the peak’s parking lot to the visitors’ building for steaming hot coffee and delicious donuts. Soon we regrouped and leisurely glided back down the mountain.
That evening, Porsche of Colorado hosted our entourage at their dealership. Members were like kids in a candy store,
60
Der Sportwagen
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