Ultra4 is coming back to Pikes Peak for an incredible racing event.

      Phillip McGilton.

      Pikes Peak International Hill Climb

      The latest automotive news and reviews, no nonsense.

      Subscribe to our free daily newsletter for the most important stories delivered to you every weekday.

      At the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, there's always a diverse mix of vehicles, ranging from specifically designed single-seaters to advanced, manufacturer-supported electric vehicles, and more variety is on the way.

      Three racers from the Ultra4 USA Championship are set to participate in the 2026 Pikes Peak Hill Climb on June 21. This marks the first time in 15 years that Ultra4 competitors will officially take part in this iconic event. The roster features multiple-time King of the Hammers champion Loren Healy, who will pilot the Ford Bronco-bodied 4400-class vehicle named “El Bandito.” Healy will be joined by Phillip McGilton and Paul Wolff, each driving their respective 4400-class machines.

      Loren Healy. Pikes Peak International Hill Climb

      Ultra4 is akin to the Olympics for off-road racing, merging high-speed desert driving with intricate rock crawling, with King of the Hammers being the signature event. This format demands highly adaptable drivers—Healy previously maneuvered a Bronco up Moab’s well-known Hell’s Gate in reverse and was a standout at this year's FAT Ice Race. However, Pikes Peak introduces a unique array of challenges.

      The Pikes Peak race spans a 12.42-mile route featuring 156 turns, primarily a public road, commencing at an elevation of 4,725 feet and culminating at the summit of the mountain at 14,115 feet. The reduced air pressure at higher altitudes complicates power generation and downforce, while the multitude of turns poses a mental hurdle for drivers. Many of these turns are positioned next to steep drops of hundreds or thousands of feet, and there are no guardrails. The entire course has been paved since 2012, placing these off-road drivers in unfamiliar territory. Nevertheless, they are expected to deliver an impressive performance.

      Paul Wolff. Pikes Peak International Hill Climb

      The last official Ultra4 participation at Pikes Peak was in 2011, featuring a group of six drivers. Series creator Dave Cole achieved third place in the Pikes Peak Open category with a time of 13:05.318. In 2022, Levi Shirley entered an IFS single-seater for the 100th running of the event and completed the race despite rolling his vehicle at Engineers’ Corner. Shirley's time of 13:44.532 was affected by the unexpected mishap but still surpassed six other competitors.

      This gives us an idea of what to anticipate with Ultra4's return to Pikes Peak this June. Let's hope all participants can keep their vehicles upright this time.

      Have a suggestion? Contact us at tips@thedrive.com.