Update from Team Headquarters - 1700HRS local time 27th June 2004

No update yesterday as the team was fully occupied with race day and the amazing events during the day.

Saturday started with bright sunshine with Stig and the team was in hopeful mood of achieving the hill record. The Exhibition and Open Class vehicles took their runs up the hill from 10am onwards followed by the motorcycles, quads and SCCA rally cars. At the lunchtime break, the clouds over the mountain gathered and the organisers advised that they would be bringing the runs of the Unlimited cars forward in the schedule in an effort to miss the bad weather.

However within 30 minutes of this decision, the weather changed alarmingly with initially rain, then thunder and lightening and then large hail at the Start Line and snow towards the summit. Conditions actually got so dangerous with the lightening that teams moved to their team cars and trucks for protection.

When the hail relented, the sight greetings the emerging teams at the start line was a few inches of slowly melting hail whereas towards the summit, a more alarming situation was in effect. Most of the press, public and officials towards the summit were trapped by snow drifts and the road down was impassable. Snow ploughs were sent to make the road passable whilst the race organisers decided what to do.

With the road on the upper section clearly unusable for race cars, it was decided that the remainder of the racing would be on the lower section to Glen Cove.

This therefore ruled out any attempt this year at a sub 10 minute run and whilst the team was disappointed, the car was prepared for it's run on the lower stage. This lower stage is now 80% tarmac and the open wheel cars had a distinct advantage because of lower weight and down force.

Stig started with his usual rocket powered display and completed the lower section in a trouble free 5:16:08, winning the Unlimited Class for the first time.  Whilst Stig and the team were disappointed with missing out on the opportunity of beating the hill record, the team were thrilled with gaining a 1st in Unlimited.

Celebrations continued at the team's "alternate" headquarters at the Keg Lounge in Manitou Springs.

Last modified: July 21, 2009