Open Wheel
The traditional race car on Pikes Peak. Their appearance ranges from an Indy car style to a dune buggies. Open wheel cars have competed in every Pikes Peak International Hill Climb since the first race in 1916. This is a very fast division. Open Wheel Record: Robby Unser (1994), 10:05.85.
Pikes Peak Open
These cars may look like stock cars from the outside, but major modifications can be done to their engines, transmissions and suspension. Pikes Peak Open Record: Per Eklund (2000), 11:21.58.
Super Stock Car
Traditionally, one of the most competitive divisions, featuring standard model. These cars are built for speed and safety, much like NASCAR race cars. Engines may be moved backward a few inches to create better handling. Super Stock Car Record: Clint Vahsholtz (2011), 10:55.603.
Unlimited
Anything goes in the Unlimited Division as long as it passes safety inspection. The Unlimited Division features the most exotic vehicles, most of them built specifically for this race. These race cars have the best chance of setting a new overall race record. In 2010 Nobuhiro Tajima finally broke the elusive ten minute barrier setting an overall course record with a time of 09:51.278. Tajima broke his own previous record of 10:01.41 set in 2007.
Exhibition
In keeping with the mission statement of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, specifically to "demonstrate advancements in the practical application of motor sports technology," the race encourages vehicles that don't fit into one of its regular divisions to enter in the Exhibition Division. Exhibition Record: Ikuo Hanawa (2010), 13:18.00.
Time Attack
This division is for production based two and four wheel drive vehicles. Eligibility is restricted to close-bodied four-wheel vehicles. Time Attack Record: Rod Millen (2011), 11:04.912.
Electric Division
The Pikes Peak International Hill Climb recognizes the future of electricity in the automotive industry. It is through this effort that constructors of electric vehicles may showcase their engineering excellence of these truly unique vehicles. Electric Record: Ikuo Hanawa (2011), 12:20.084.
RMVR (Rocky Mountain Vintage Racing)
These vintage race cars harken back to the glory days of Pikes Peak with cars like; Mustang, Cobra, Mercury and Lincoln too. Entries in this division must follow the 2010 safety standards. RMVR Record: Keith Davisdon (2011), 12:44.126.
Vintage
This class is open only to 650cc to 750cc twin-cylinder machines. These are classic "TT" bikes. Most will have custom racing frames with modified engines. Some of the most talented riders on the mountain, including Eddie Mulder of Agua Dulce, Calif., and 1998 Baja champion Scott Dunlavey, compete in this class. In keeping with the historic aspects of this class of motorcycle racing, the minimum age limit for a rider is 50 years of age. Vintage Record: Eddie Mulder (2007), 13:23.250.
Sidecar
Three wheels, two riders ("driver" and "passenger"), and one winning mission. The passenger (or aptly named "the monkey") lets it all hang out in the turns, making for some interesting action. Sidecars are always a crowd favorite. Sidecar Record: John-Thomas Wood (2011), 13:09.040.
250cc Pro
Don't let the size fool you. There are motorcycles with bigger engines on Pikes Peak, but the 250 Pro Class is fast and competitive. These machines are usually factory built for racing with two-stroke and four-stroke single or twin cylinder engines. 250cc Record: Davey Durelle (2010), 12:27.200.
450cc
Class A popular class with many riders. Two-stroke and four-stroke engines are eligible. Many older design machines of this size are successful in this race, but bikes off the showroom floor can also be competitive. Single and twin-cylinder engines are allowed. 450cc Record: Gary Trachy (2006), 11:46.840.
750cc Pro
Many riders choose to use a lightweight, single-cylinder, four-stroke 700cc engine in this class. This engine creates an excellent power-to-weight ratio, something all Pikes Peak racers strive for. Twin-cylinder engines may be as large as 750cc. 750cc Record: Stuart Sinclair (2011), 11:27.396.
1205cc Pro
This class gives the new breed of over 900cc twin or triple cylinder off-road motorcycles a place to race. 2006 saw four of these powerful bikes run as exhibition with impressive times, proving their adaptability to Pike Peak. All eyes will be on these thundering machines. 1205cc Record: Carlin Dunne (2011), 11:11.329.
Quad Modified
Essentially four-wheeled motorcycles, these machines are limited only by tread width and the use of an ATV engine of 500cc or less. Stability is aided by extreme weight-shifting by the rider. Cornering velocity is very high while the relative smallness of the engines hold down outright speed. Quad Modified Record: Michael Coburn (2011), 11:59.021.
Exhibition Powersport
This division includes Utility Terrain Vehicles (UTVs), Quads 750cc-up and electric motorcycles. Exhibition Powersport Record: Joe Kopp (2011), 11:26.530.
