On a team this small everyone plays a big role, and I’m proud to be the engineer that diagnosed, re-tuned, and helped turn this last minute entry into the fastest Open Wheel car at Pikes Peak 2024.
We won the class, ended up 4th overall, set a personal best with a time of 9:33.222, and we were the fastest American team that year.
Big thanks to our 2 Aussie helpers for the week, Cole Powelson for getting us together and putting in a solid drive, and everyone that offered Cole support to get this tiny team of 4 to the mountain at the last minute!
Pikes Peak offers a number of challenges not found in other races, including high base elevation, large elevation and ambient temperature delta over the run, limited practice time, and ever changing road and weather conditions. As an engine calibrator, I relish accounting for those additional factors to get the best out of the car all the way up the mountain.
Cole’s experience on the mountain is also invaluable on the driving side of things, it’s always a pleasure working with him, and I know any time we get together we have a chance at a win.
