Three Generations of Vahsholtz Racers Honored By WP Council in Grandiose Fashon
Trevor Phipps
The story goes that Leonard Vahsholtz started his mechanic shop as a young man out of one very small garage, while living in a double-wide trailer.
Over the last few decades, the successful mechanic shop operator and racing team owner has grown his business substantially, expanding to two large auto mechanic shops in town, plus heading a racing team that has racked up an impressive laundry list of championship titles against top racers from around the world.
Leonard’s son Clint and grandson Codie have continued the infamous Leonard Vahsholtz legacy, gaining a reputation as the best mechanics in town and knowing how to race fast up a mountain. After their work of preparing for and racing the 102nd running of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, the city of Woodland Park chose to honor the racing family on June 27, which turned into a highly attended community celebration. After all, Pikes Peak has been touted by racing buffs as “Vahsholtz Mountain.”
The highly anticipated event was advertised all over social media. The tribute started with a special Vahsholtz Family Day, commencing an hour before the regularly scheduled city council meeting. All three generations of the Vahsholtz family racers were present to meet their fans and answer questions about their racing careers.
Crowds gathered around the front of Woodland Park’s city hall building to get up close and personal with the number 18, 2013 Vahsholtz Racing Open Wheel car that has shattered records in the sprint up Pikes Peak. There was a “selfie station” set up where fans could get a picture of themselves with one of the famous racecar drivers, or the shiny car itself.
The entire racing team hung out around the tent and were available to answer even the most technical questions. There were games to play and prizes to win, and a chance to talk with the racing team and checking out their large table stacked with many racing awards.
Leonard Vahsholtz also brought out an old racing car that fans were able to jump into and take a cruise around the block. The meet-and-greet event lasted for an entire hour. Finally, the council had to end the city’s love affair with the Vahsholtz family and attend to regular business.
And sure enough, the first item on the agenda was to honor the Vahsholtz family on public record. Woodland Park Mayor Kellie Case started with the proclamation to declare June 27, 2024 as “Vahsholtz Family Day.”
After the mayor gave a brief introduction, a film was shown to the crowd that showcased the vast history of the Vahsholtz racing family. The short video was packed with old pictures of all three family members racing up America’s Mountain and wrenching on their dozens of different racecars through the years.
The mayor then read the proclamation that described many of the Vahsholtz accomplishments in the world of racing. After reading the proclamation, the three Vahsholtz racers were welcomed to the front of the meeting where they were given a special gift.
The Vahsholtz Racing Legacy
During the 102nd running of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, mechanical issues struck the racing team and unfortunately Codie Vahsholtz was not able to finish the race. His father Clint chose not to race this year. But along with his entry to the race’s hall of fame, Clint Vahsholtz was invited to drive the Parade of Champions Car.
Except for their 2024 outing, a Vahsholtz family member has won at least one division in the Hill Climb every year since 1993. Since Leonard first raced up America’s Mountain in 1978, the family has won the race 47 times.
Leonard’s first victory on Pikes Peak came in 1981 when he won the stock car division. That led to 18 division wins over racing the 14ner 32 times.
Clint Vahsholtz has topped his father’s number of victories after racking up 24 class victories. He initially raced the Peak in a motorcycle in 1991. He first won his motorcycle division in 1993. He also earned the “King of the Mountain” title after getting the fastest time of the day during the race in 2020, making him the most successful racer in Pikes Peak history.
Codie Vahsholtz has racked up four division wins after his first race in 2011, when he sped up the mountain in a motorcycle. He won his motorcycle division three times in eight years racing it and in 2023 he shattered his father Clint’s record in the open wheel division, racing in the same car.
Overall, the Vahsholtz family has contributed much to the racing world and the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. While the women of the family do not race, Clint and Leonard’s wives have made names for themselves as being part of the race’s timing crew for decades.
“I was born and raised in Woodland Park, and it is a great place to come alive,” Clint Vahsholtz said. “Our shop is in town, and we hopefully help a lot of people out with that. And it helps us to go racing so I do appreciate you guys!”