[Keith Seymore]

I loved the time I spent at Pikes Peak.

We did a lot of engine calibration work going up the Hill (powertrain guys) and brake development going down the Hill (me). We would wave at each other as we would pass half way.

You would see all the major auto manufacturers there, with their vehicles all camo'd up, doing various tests. We even saw Rolls Royce there, in case you ever want to take your Rolls all the way to the top (they used Suburbans as chase vehicles).

I loved the history there, and the GM garage in Manitou Springs was especially laid back. We would drive there from Phoenix so often my family would come along. The data input ladies would keep an eye on my young son in the garage while I made passes up and down the Hill (I can't imagine that happening these days).

The roadway has a lot of excavation work to help with water runoff, including little ditches on either side. Those racers would actually hook their inside front tire into the ditch and use it to swing themselves around the turn, just like you or I would grab a post and swing around it. No guardrails either.

K