HD Video Technology Comes to the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb

Press Release:

HD Video Technology Comes to the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb

The 86th running of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb on Sunday will be shot in High Definition (HD) video this year to produce a complete race re-cap program for television broadcast in HD.   
Wink, Inc, located in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, is responsible for capturing the event in HD and to output the complete program.
Wink Inc.’s has vast experience across a broad range of productions that provides them the ability to work on this project. It is very exciting to consider that one of the most daring motorsports events in the world will now be brought to this high video level for fans to enjoy. 
 
 
MORE MOTORCYCLES BACK ON THE MOUNTAIN
The 86th Pikes Peak International Hill Climb has received a record number of entrants for the cycle, motorcycles and quads classes, including ten current and past record holders. Seventy-two of them are coming from out of state or internationally, in fact. This year there are several items of exceptional interest about the line up for Sunday’s race.
One to watch is the entry of Joe Kopp and Johnny Murphree. Kopp is currently winning Grand National races and sits second in points for the series. Murphree is a past headliner in the Grand National series, and Kopp will also be serving as the Grand Marshal of the cycle division.
Kopp will be the highest- ranking Grand National rider to have competed in the Race to the Clouds. He and Murphree are entered in the 1200cc class for the largest motorcycles, which is the newest bike class on Pikes Peak.
That class, which was made up of BMWs only last year, will feature four competing brands, including BMW, Buell, Ducati, and KTM. Also of special interest will be the return of Brian Anderson, a multi past winner, on the American-built Buell using a Harley-Davidson engine. Alexander Smith, son of the famous Malcolm Smith, is making a huge step-up from the 150cc exhibition bike he rode last year. On top of Buell, Kopp and Murphree’s entries will be the Super Moto record holder, Greg Tracy, who will be Ducati-powered this year. The top class competitors will be shooting to record a better time than giant killer Davey Durelle on his 550cc Aprilia.
A French team will be among the entries with an unlimited sidecar using a Choda Kawasaki engine. Marlin Bruno will pilot and Jeanfemange Sylvie will be hanging on as the all-important passenger. They will be aiming to break the sidecar record set by the flamboyant team from Sweden in 2005 of 13:17.16. Five other sidecar teams are entered but their “hacks” will be the smaller engine machines commonly used for cross-country racing. The “monkeys” or passengers have the important job of shifting their weight for balance and traction that is entertaining to see.
Italians have entered the 750cc class in large numbers, with Marco Belli returning from last year’s race. Three others are also entered, including female rider Andrea Padovani. The Italian influence continues with Davey Durelle, the motorcycle record holder, entering on an Italian Aprilia, but of only 550cc capacity. Marco and local speedster Mickey Dymond, a popular winner in his rookie year, and a veteran racer, is back from a broken leg. He may be the man to beat in the 450cc class on his Husqvarna.
The popular quads will feature the current record holder Canadian Jim Goertz. Also a factor is the popular Japanese racer Yoshimune Shirai, who has the Pikes Peak Highway map tattooed on his arm. Both on Yamaha Banshees
There is some concern about Gary Trachy, the Super Moto star, after a spill during the pre-race practice left him with an injured right hand. He is confident about  racing in the 450 Super Moto class.
Hall of Famer Eddie Mulder returns with his fast and artfully prepared Triumph for the vintage class. Eddie has been racing for five decades and is the most colorful of racers on the mountain and the class record holder.
Starting in groups of up to five racers, the cycle division provides the handlebar-to-handlebar action that puts the variety in the Race to the Clouds
 
Mike Moran, Director of Communications
The Colorado Springs Sports Corporation
1631 Mesa Ave., Suite E
Colorado Springs, CO 80906
(719) 634-7333, ext.1011
mike@thesportscorp.org
 
www.thesportscorp.org
 
Coming up:
July 20- 87th Pikes Peak International Hill Climb
July 24-27- State Games of the West, Colorado Springs,Athletes from 13 Western States
July 28-Aug.3- U.S. Senior Open Golf Championship,The Broadmoor
October 11-12- United States Australian Football League National Tournament, Air Force Academy
October 28-Colorado Springs Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2008 Banquet & Induction Ceremonies, World Arena 7:00 p.m.