Race to the Clouds: BMW Competes in the Pike's Peak Hill Climb Photos and text by Mandy Langston #122921

August 8, 2007 Page 1 of 3    123

Three riders get set at the starting line. enlarge: Medium | Large

This year, a joint effort from BMW Motorrad Motorsport from Munich and BMW North America was made to enter seven bikes into the 85th Pike's Peak Hill Climb - completely occupying the 1200cc displacement class with their HP2 and Megamoto models. Dealer Max Stratton and Gordon Mullavey of Max BMW even rode to the top.

A challenging course for even the most seasoned of riders, the road up to the top of Pike's Peak is a combination of 12.42 miles of tarmac and dirt that runs about 20 feet wide and is lined with unprotected spectators the day of the race. The starting elevation is 9,402 feet, but gains 4,708 feet to finish at 14,110 feet - a range of elevations that can leave you feeling dizzy, queasy or worse. There are warnings against altitude sickness in the race day program, as well as clear notice that the spectator is assuming personal risk simply by being there to watch. There were several times that a vehicle would come careening around a corner, sending observers screaming and scrambling down a hill or behind a rock or tree (as if that would save anyone from a car blasting away at 130 miles per hour).

So, why would BMW enter such a dangerous race two years in a row? Why race to the top of the clouds?

"Compared to the Baja and Dakar races, this isn't so dangerous," said Dirk Biehler, manager of marketing for BMW Motorrad. "The Megamoto is so appropriate for the Pike's Peak Hill Climb. It's a sport concept and you can equip it with street tires and take it on a race track, or up a mountain."

The appearance of the Megamoto and HP2 at Pike's Peak are part of a larger effort of BMW to become more visible globally in races that combine a variety of riding situations. According to Biehler, you can expect to see the K1200S at Bonneville racing to break the land speed record again, the G650X Challenge in the Mojave Desert and more of BMW in future Pike's Peak Hill Climbs.