Toyo Tire and Flying Lizard Motorsports have announced a continuation of their partnership after winning three consecutive runs together at the 25 Hours of Thunderhill; this time to enter a car in the 2018 Pike’s Peak International Hill Climb in June. Clint Vahsholtz, a Colorado native and Pikes Peak master, will drive the No. 45 Flying Lizard Motorsports/Toyo Tires McLaren 12C GT3.
“When this opportunity was first brought up, we knew we couldn’t pass this up,” said Flying Lizard Motorsports Program Manager Darren Law. “We’ve had a lot of success with Toyo Tires in our tire development program, and this event will be a new challenge for us that we’re very much looking forward to.”
Founded in 1916, Pike’s Peak International Hill Climb is the second oldest automotive racing event in North America, drawing competitors from all over the globe. The 12.42-mile course takes drivers 4,720 feet up the mountain with an astounding 156 corners before reaching the 14,115-foot summit. The course is fully paved, with a current lap record of 8:13.878, set in 2013 by Sebastien Loeb.
“I am very charged for the 96th running of the Pikes Peak Hill Climb, as I have teamed up with Flying Lizard Motorsports and Toyo Tires,” said Vahsholtz. “I am looking for my 24th Division win, with the precise car set up and engine tuning of Flying Lizard Motorsports for the McLaren 12c and the extreme grip of Toyo tires on what is a very slick surface at Pikes Peak.”
The current entry list features 96 competitors in 12 classes. With 23 victories in 26 years, Clint Vahsholtz is the winningest driver at Pike’s Peak.
“The Pikes Peak International Hill Climb is a bucket list item for any motorsports fan in the world and we are thrilled to partner with Flying Lizard Motorsports, McLaren and Clint Vahsholtz this year,” said Marc Sanzenbacher, Sr. Manager, Motorsports for Toyo Tire U.S.A. Corp. “Pikes Peak is as an excellent opportunity to demonstrate the grip and performance of our Toyo Proxes Race Slicks as the race presents many unique challenges for a tire due to the bitter cold, uneven road surface, and constantly changing conditions.”
The Flying Lizard Motorsports McLaren 12 C GT3 will be on display in front of 25,000 fans at the Toyo Tires booth at the Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb Fan Fest in downtown Colorado Springs, Friday, June 22. The event will feature a variety of entertainment for race fans of all ages, including the annual Fire Fighter Chili Cook-Off. For full event information, visit ppihc.org.
