Gravel Surface Focal Point At Pikes Peak Climb
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) -- The main focus of Sunday's 89th running of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb isn't the return of five-time defending champion Nobuhiro Tajima.
It is on the course's remaining gravel surface.
Nearly all the 12.42 miles up Pikes Peak is paved. A gravel surface of less than three miles remains.
Race director Phil Layton said officials hope the course would be completely paved for 2012.
Jean Philippe Dayraut, a top challenger to Tajima, said the famed gravel surface was known throughout Europe. Dayraut, a first-time participant, traveled from Montrabe, France, to see it for himself and drive on the gravel.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
