The 90th running of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb has been postponed by the race organizers because of concerns over the wildfire raging in the Colorado Springs, CO area. Originally scheduled to take place on Sunday, July 8th, PPIHC organizers have pushed back the race to later this summer, and while no alternate date has been given yet, one is expected in two weeks’ time.
“We have been informed by the U.S. Forest Service that conditions are so extreme, along with the inability to forecast the future of the fire, and with access to Pikes Peak in jeopardy that the agency can’t permit the event to go as scheduled, “said Tom Osborne, Chairman of the Board of the PPIHC and President & CEO of the Colorado Springs Sports Corporation.
“The 90th Pikes Peak International Hill Climb will be run,” said Osborne. “This race began in 1916 and it has earned its place among the world’s greatest motor sports events, and it is an important part of the sports heritage of Colorado Springs and the Pikes Peak Region,” said Colorado Springs Mayor Steve Bach. “We are committed to making sure it takes place this year and that we carry on the tradition. We are disappointed, but our first concern is our city, its residents, their homes, businesses and public safety.”
Started on June 23rd, the Waldo Canyon Wildfire has so far consumed over 18,500 acres of land, and burned hundreds of homes. It is estimated that 32,000 Colorado citizens have had to evacuate their homes, as the fire has devastated the area. With a tremendous number of resources and man-power going towards fighting the fire, it was deemed that not enough medical and safety personnel would be available to safely run the PPIHC while the wildfire rages.
Source: PPIHC
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