Pikes Peak Soap box Derby

I know there is a baby soap box derby http://www.soapboxderby.org/pikes-peak.aspx but now that the Peak is all paved, why not have one for adults on the actual mountain?

that would be awesome

I think the award would be given posthumously for whoever made it furthest before dying.

I think redbull should sponsor it. I've seen some fast E36 M3 on their courses, and they use jumps! Apple kiwi redbull is actually 0retty tasty too.

I was going to say that they should run skateboards down it, but then I found out that they already do!

https://vimeo.com/105562924

I remember reading a story from the early 1960s where a couple NASCAR drivers were competing at Pikes Peak (I don't remember which ones, but this was from the Fireball Roberts / Junior Johnson / etc. era when all the drivers were pretty wild.) After one practice session, they were ready to come back down the mountain and they decided to race each other, while coasting in their stock cars.

Michele Mouton smiles in approval.

stuart in mn wrote: I remember reading a story from the early 1960s where a couple NASCAR drivers were competing at Pikes Peak (I don't remember which ones, but this was from the Fireball Roberts / Junior Johnson / etc. era when all the drivers were pretty wild.) After one practice session, they were ready to come back down the mountain and they decided to race each other, while coasting in their stock cars.

Funny, I watched a video earlier today. Don't remember the road, but a bunch of street bikes raced each other down hill. Engines off. Surprisingly fun.

The organizers of the dearly departed Chimney Rock Hillclimb used to run an annual "hill Fall" featuring karts powered by gravity and chutzpah. If something like that happens at Pike's Peak, I'm making a whole lot of popcorn.

Maybe some would survive if they used 4 wheel disc brake shifter karts without engines or something to that effect.

I would think that there would be extra safety rules such as roll cages and proper brakes, most soapbox derbys don't have curves and drop offs

Just found this insane perfectly GRM type (hint) event....SO wrong it's way right!!

Such a event would be like driving the Nordschleife for These guys.

Might need to tweak the rules a bit for Pike's Peak

GRM should do something along these lines in the spring when all the challenge cars in rolling chassis form.

there is a road just Outside Helen Ga that would be perfect, SO Curvy you wouldn't get to but around 50ish, SO Steep It would be like a FAST elevator. It's Great to go up but not sure I would want to go down in a car that Fast.

Keith Tanner wrote: I think the award would be given posthumously for whoever made it furthest before dying.

Yeah, pretty much.

So the question really is: Which is more dangerous Pikes Peak Soapbox or the Isle of Man TT?

loosecannon wrote: So the question really is: Which is more dangerous Pikes Peak Soapbox or the Isle of Man TT?

Good question. I'm wondering what kind of brake requirements you'd need for a downhill Pikes Peak. Are we talking full hill or just part of it?

Used to do it on downhill MTBs as well.

There should also be a combined up/down champion.

In reply to David S. Wallens:

The whole thing, from finish line at the top to the start line at the bottom. And there should be classes with limits on weight and tire width, and a class for traditional soapbox derby cars.

I would think there would have to be a way to slow the cars down besides the brakes.

My kids we're in awe that we traveled from our hotel in NH all the way to the breakfast place in neutral. My son was impressed watching the digital speedometer climb.

My wife wouldn't let me try it down Mt Washington. It's her new minivan and she's kind of attached to the kids so it was a no-go.

mad_machine wrote: I would think there would have to be a way to slow the cars down besides the brakes.

They're called corners. Gravity is your maintenance throttle.

loosecannon wrote: So the question really is: Which is more dangerous Pikes Peak Soapbox or the Isle of Man TT?

Kind of like asking if the crazy nympho ex or cocaine is a better way to spend the holiday weekend. Both are their own kind of crazy, and both will leave men broken. But both are fun as hell for a minute.

Until they try to kill you.

In reply to Dusterbd13:

Would coasting down be more dangerous than powering up?