CLINT VAHSHOLTZ HONORED AT 2024 PPIHC Hall of Fame Induction Leads Winslow BMW Parade of Champions

The results of the 102nd Running of The Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, brought to you by Gran Turismo, are now part of race history. Competitors from thirteen nations and sixteen states, including 21 from Colorado, traveled to Colorado Springs to challenge the mountain on June 23. One legendary Colorado driver played a big part in this year’s festivities.
HALL OF FAME

Clint Vahsholtz was inducted to the 2024 Pikes Peak Hill Climb Hall of Fame on June 20 along with broadcaster, Beck Bechtelheimer, and local racing hero, the late Ted Foltz.

Clint is the second generation in the Vahsholtz racing dynasty on Pikes Peak. Fans from the 1970s through the 2000s cheered on Leonard Vahsholtz, Clint’s father. Since 2011, Clint’s son, Codie Vahsholtz, third generation, is proving he has what it takes to keep the family legacy going strong.

In the early 1990s, Clint entered the motorcycle division, setting two division records in four years. In 1996, he made the seamless transition from two wheels to four when he entered the Super Stock Car division, garnering a win and Rookie of the Year honors. His amazing career includes 24 division wins, multiple division records, and in 2020 an overall King of the Mountain championship.

In 1996, Miss Chevrolet Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, Loretta Kaufman, presented Vahsholtz with his Rookie of the Year award.
The photo was recreated 28 years later at the 2024 Hall of Fame Induction in a surprise reunion at the June 20 event.
To honor Vahsholtz, Winslow BMW chose him to lead the Parade of Champions down from the summit behind the wheel of their all-electric i5 M60 sedan. Ann Winslow, dealership owner shared, “This event is special to us. It’s been a part of the community for a long time. We’re pleased to have Clint Vahsholtz represent the dealership, and more importantly to showcase his contributions to this race.”

The 2024 Parade of Champions car was wrapped in a tribute livery featuring Clint’s race record, his Hall of Fame status, his race number and signature. The white Gran Turismo windshield banner also depicts his membership in the Hall of Fame.

Asked about the car and the partnership, Vahsholtz exclaimed, “This Winslow-prepared electric BMW i5 M60 – WOW!  The car throws you back in the seat and goes! It has great regeneration and the brakes stop instantly. I could always trust the handling and, for that matter, I could really count on all the driver assist features. It’s a cool car for sure.”

Vahsholtz made the final run of the day to the 14,115′ summit to lead the Parade of Champions, and all competitors back down the mountain, post-race.

GET TO KNOW CLINT VAHSHOLTZ

Fun Facts:

“One of my favorite hobbies is working on race cars.”

“I also enjoy riding my Husqvarna TE 300 all over Colorado trails.”

“Whether it’s riding my mountain bike with my dog running alongside, or hunting and fishing, I love the Colorado back country.”

 

Favorite food: “Any type of wild game.”

Favorite corner: “The start line. It’s go time!”

 

If you could drive any car up Pikes Peak, what would it be? I think it would be Loeb’s Peugeot.

PPIHC Veteran, Layne Schranz, pays tribute to fellow competitor,

Clint Vahsholtz

Layne Schranz pays tribute to fellow competitor, Clint Vahsholtz
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Photos by: PPIHC Archives, Larry Chen, Jason Zindroski
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ABOUT THE PIKES PEAK INTERNATIONAL HILL CLIMB

First staged in 1916, the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb is the second oldest race in America. The invitation-only event, often referred to as The Race to the Clouds is held annually near the end of June on Pikes Peak – America’s Mountain, near Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA. The famous 12.42-mile (20 km) course consists of 156 turns, boasts an elevation gain of 4,725 feet (1,440 m), and reaches a finish line at 14,115 feet (4,302 m) above sea level. The PPIHC’s six race divisions feature a wide variety of vehicles – from production-based Time Attack challengers to purpose-built Open Wheel racers and state-of-the-art Unlimited vehicles. The current race record was set in 2018 by Romain Dumas and Volkswagen in the all-electric I.D. R Pikes Peak – 07:57.148.