Pike's Peak Champion Chris Lennon

Pike’s Peak is a hillclimb/time-trial-style motorsport event where competitors drive up a mountain road. The course is closed for the event, and the elevation gain is extreme, which makes cooling, traction, and power delivery especially challenging.

The Buick Century is a midsize sedan that has been produced for many years, making it a long-running model name in Buick’s lineup. It can come up in conversations about how long certain vehicle designs and branding have persisted over time. In the podcast context, it sounds like the discussion is referencing the Century name as part of a longer history.

A time trial is a format where the goal is to set the fastest elapsed time rather than race wheel-to-wheel. Describing Pike’s Peak as a “time trial on open public road” highlights that it’s run on a road course with closures, not a purpose-built track circuit.

Running at roughly 14,000 feet means the air is much thinner than at sea level. That affects engine breathing (less oxygen), which can change power output and how cars manage cooling and traction during a long climb.

The Isle of Man TT is a motorcycle road race held on public roads with minimal barriers, which makes it exceptionally dangerous. The hosts’ comparison frames it as a “legal-but-questionable” throwback to earlier eras of high-risk racing culture.

Pike's Peak is a hill climb where cars race up a mountain road rather than around a closed circuit. The course length (about 12.5 miles) and elevation gain make it uniquely demanding, especially because the road wasn’t designed for 100–150 mph racing speeds.

The Volkswagen IDR is an electric hill-climb car known for setting extremely fast Pike’s Peak records. In this discussion, it’s used as a benchmark for how much money top-level teams can spend to chase record times.

“World Endurance class racing” refers to endurance-style motorsport categories where cars run for long durations and teams manage reliability, strategy, and development over time. The segment contrasts that kind of program with Pike’s Peak, emphasizing how serious the preparation and resources are.

An electric conversion is when a vehicle originally designed for an internal-combustion powertrain is modified to run on electric motors and a battery system. In racing, that usually means reworking the drivetrain, cooling, power electronics, and how the car manages energy during climbs and braking.

In this context, “breaks” refers to the braking system’s ability to slow the car down from high speed. The speaker’s point is that once the car can accelerate to the expected speeds, the limiting factor becomes stopping power—so brake hardware and brake cooling/management need development.

A prototype EV is an early, experimental electric vehicle built to test performance and engineering ideas before a production-ready design exists. For a hill climb like Pike’s Peak, the prototype has to handle sustained power demands, changing traction, and energy management under altitude and weather swings.

Elevation change matters because it affects how the car’s systems perform as altitude rises. For EVs, the key issues are power delivery and thermal management under different air density and weather conditions; for internal combustion, it also strongly impacts engine breathing and cooling.

Turbocharging uses exhaust gases to spin a turbine that forces more air into the engine, allowing it to make more power without increasing engine displacement. It also adds complexity and risk (heat management, boost control, and reliability), which is why the speaker frames it as a major expense step.

Supercharging forces more air into an engine using a mechanically driven compressor (often belt-driven). Like turbocharging, it increases power potential, but it changes how the engine makes heat and how the car must be engineered to handle that stress.

Zero Motorcycles is an electric motorcycle brand, known for producing EV powertrains and battery systems. In this segment, the brand is involved as a partner group that built and developed the electric prototype drivetrain concept for the Pike’s Peak effort.

A “six motor set up” means the vehicle uses six electric motors to drive the car, typically to improve traction and power delivery. Using multiple motors can help distribute torque more precisely, which is valuable for a hill climb where grip and load conditions change rapidly.

An “eight motor setup” means the vehicle uses eight electric motors to drive the wheels or axle(s). Multiple motors can improve traction control and torque delivery, and they can be packaged to distribute drive forces more effectively. The host emphasizes it as unusual for this kind of racing application.

At high elevation, air density drops, so normally aspirated internal combustion engines ingest less oxygen and make less power. Electric motors don’t rely on breathing air, so they don’t suffer the same power drop from thin air. That’s why the same EV setup can feel much stronger relative to a gas car as you climb Pike’s Peak.

A normally aspirated engine draws air in naturally through the intake, without a turbocharger or supercharger forcing more air. Because it depends on ambient air density, it loses power at altitude when the air is thinner. In this segment, that’s contrasted with electric motors that don’t depend on intake air.

The segment frames Pike’s Peak as an EV-friendly race because it’s a long, straight uphill run where the car benefits from steady torque and power. It also highlights that EVs aren’t affected by thin air the way internal combustion engines are. Together, those factors make the climb a strong match for electric drivetrains.

Range anxiety is the fear of running out of battery before reaching the destination. In racing, it becomes a planning constraint because you need enough energy to finish the course. The segment argues that Pike’s Peak’s format makes EV energy management less stressful than in everyday driving.

Torque is the twisting force the drivetrain applies to the wheels. “Constant torque” means the car can deliver a steady pull throughout the climb rather than peaking and then falling off. For an EV on a steep uphill course like Pike’s Peak, that steady torque helps maintain speed as conditions change.

Power is the rate of doing work (how quickly energy is used), often what determines sustained speed. “Constant power” implies the vehicle can maintain a steady power output over time, which matters on long climbs where the car has to keep accelerating against gravity. The host links this to why EVs do well on Pike’s Peak’s uphill profile.

A battery pack is the assembled set of cells and modules that stores electrical energy for an EV. In racing, pack size is a tradeoff: more capacity can mean more energy to finish, but it also adds weight. The host discusses trying to use the smallest pack that still meets the race’s energy needs.

The segment describes an energy-minimization strategy: carry only as much battery energy (or fuel) as needed to complete the race. Extra energy storage adds weight, which can slow the car, so teams aim to hit the finish with minimal remaining energy. The host compares it directly to gasoline racing where you don’t want extra fuel weight.

Battery capacity is how much electrical energy the pack can store, usually measured in kWh. For an EV hill climb, capacity determines how far you can go at full-throttle before the battery runs low.

In racing, extra mass makes it harder to accelerate and slows the car down through corners and uphill sections. That’s why EV battery packs are a tradeoff: more energy helps range, but the heavier pack can hurt lap time.

Pikes Peak International Hill Climb is a famous motorsport event where competitors race up Pikes Peak’s steep course. It’s especially demanding for EVs because the climb requires sustained power and careful energy management.

Home field advantage is the performance benefit a driver gets from repeatedly practicing on a specific course. Familiarity with braking points, traction changes, and line choices can help a driver extract more speed than someone who’s new to the route.

Course notes are written cues about what’s coming next—turn types, hazards, and timing—so the driver can prepare in advance. Chris says he took notes from the passenger seat while learning Pike’s Peak, using a rally-style approach to build a mental map of the course.

A racing line is the ideal path a driver follows through a corner to maximize speed and minimize time. On Pike’s Peak, the “traditional” racing line isn’t always best because the course layout and conditions can make a different line faster or safer.

“Knife’s edge” is a motorsport way to describe a situation where the margin for error is extremely small. On a course like Pike’s Peak, that usually means traction, line choice, and braking/acceleration timing have to be nearly perfect.

“Measured risk” in motorsport means taking aggressive actions only when the driver believes the odds are still acceptable. It’s the idea of balancing speed with controllability—choosing where you push and where you back off.

“Send it” is racing slang for committing aggressively—entering a corner with confidence and maintaining speed rather than playing it safe. In this context, it means taking a corner without braking much (or at all) and trusting grip and line choice.

“GT4” (spoken here as “GT four”) is a sports-car racing category for production-based cars. The key idea is that cars are closer to stock than in higher GT classes, so driver skill and setup still matter a lot but the performance spread is more controlled.

The hosts discuss how Pike’s Peak is made up of many corners and how small time gains per turn add up. The “tenth of a second per corner” idea is a common endurance/racing mindset: consistency and repeatable lines often matter as much as peak speed.

The Nürburgring Nordschleife (“North Loop”) is the long, high-speed circuit section of the Nürburgring in Germany. It’s famous for elevation changes, fast corners, and limited margin for error—so coaching and line choice are critical.

“Risk/reward” in driving means weighing how much you stand to gain (time, position, momentum) against how likely you are to lose control or crash. On tracks like the Nordschleife, the reward for pushing can be real, but the consequences of mistakes are severe.

“Arm coop” appears to be a transcription error for “Armco,” which is the corrugated steel guardrail system used around racetracks. The host is emphasizing that grass runoff is not a “safe buffer” to absorb impacts; it’s there to affect speed and vehicle behavior before you reach barriers.

An LMP car refers to a Le Mans Prototype race car class. These cars are purpose-built for endurance racing and are typically lightweight, aerodynamically optimized, and designed to run for long stints at high speed.

The Lexus LFA is a high-performance supercar from Lexus, built in limited numbers and designed to deliver extreme performance and a special driving experience. It’s often discussed in the context of track events and high-speed driving because it’s rare and expensive, so people pay close attention to how it behaves under stress. That makes it a natural subject when the conversation turns to what it’s like to push a top-tier car on a circuit.

A manual transmission uses driver-selected gear ratios to control how the power is delivered to the wheels. In this EV tribute car, Chris Lennon says the manual gearbox was kept because it helps avoid a top-speed limit that would occur with a direct-drive setup.

Direct drive means the drivetrain connects the motor(s) to the wheels without a multi-gear gearbox. Without gearing, the car can hit a speed ceiling earlier, so the team used a gearbox to avoid a top-speed limitation.

A top speed limitation is the maximum speed a vehicle can reach before the drivetrain can’t provide enough effective gearing or power at that speed. Lennon explains that with direct drive, the car would be capped at just over 100 mph, which would cost time on Pike’s Peak.

An EV powertrain is the set of components that provide propulsion in an electric vehicle, typically including the electric motor(s), inverter, battery, and associated drivetrain connections. In this segment, the speaker is describing a conversion where an EV powertrain is installed into a car that still uses a gearbox. That’s why downshifts still require driver input like rev matching.

Rev matching is the technique of adjusting engine RPM during a downshift so the drivetrain speed matches the lower gear. On a car with a manual gearbox, it helps prevent driveline shock and keeps the shift smooth. In this segment, it’s discussed as necessary even after swapping in an EV powertrain.

A two-speed gearbox in an EV is a transmission with two gear ratios to keep the motor operating in its efficient RPM range. It can improve acceleration and allow better efficiency across a wider speed range than a single-speed setup. Here it’s mentioned as part of a commercial EV system that uses a gearbox without a traditional clutch.

Heel-and-toe shifting is a driving technique used during downshifts where the driver uses the brake with the heel and blips the throttle with the toe. The goal is to synchronize engine RPM to the next lower gear while braking hard. This segment highlights that the driver is still doing heel-and-toe even in an EV-converted setup.

“Max out your deceleration” means braking as hard as possible while staying within tire grip and vehicle stability limits. In cornering, the goal is to use the available traction efficiently so the car can transition from braking to turning without upsetting balance.

A clutch is the device that connects and disconnects the engine from the transmission so the driver can change gears. The speaker contrasts using a clutch in traditional manual driving with an EV launch where the drivetrain can be engaged without the same clutch operation.

A standing start is a launch from a complete stop, rather than rolling into acceleration. In racing, it emphasizes traction and drivetrain response because the car has to convert engine or motor torque into forward motion immediately.

EV means electric vehicle, powered primarily by one or more electric motors instead of an internal combustion engine. Because electric motors can deliver torque instantly, EVs can launch without the same gear/clutch coordination used in many gasoline cars.

A gearbox is the transmission that selects different gear ratios to keep the motor/engine operating in its efficient power band. Even if a car has multiple gears, the driver may only use a subset depending on power delivery and the race’s speed range.

Equivalent horsepower is a way to express an electric car’s motor output in horsepower terms so it’s easier to compare with gasoline engines. It’s often used when the motor’s power delivery and measurement method don’t map perfectly to traditional engine horsepower ratings.

Torque (here described as “pound-feet”) is the twisting force that helps the car accelerate, especially at lower speeds and during launches. For EVs, torque delivery is typically immediate, which is why torque figures are closely tied to how quickly the car can get moving.

This segment focuses on how the team structures sponsorships around car “real estate” (where logos go) and how they package exposure for corporate partners. It also discusses using press coverage and planned testing content to make sponsorship a “win-win.”

Suspension components are the parts that connect the wheels to the car’s body and control how the car absorbs bumps and maintains tire contact. In racing, sponsors often target these because suspension setup strongly affects grip and stability.

Öhlins is a well-known performance suspension brand, especially for racing and motorsport-focused shock absorbers and related hardware. When someone mentions Öhlins as a sponsor, it usually means the car is using (or promoting) their suspension parts.

In motorsport sponsorship, the race car is treated like a moving advertisement. The idea is that branding on the car’s body and components gets repeated visibility during events, media coverage, and onboard footage.

EV TUNERS is referenced as an organization partnering on the Pikes Peak effort and providing a dedicated sponsorship information page and media presence. In this context, they function as a motorsport/EV community partner helping with visibility and outreach.

Team Arc Blast is mentioned as another organization joining the Pikes Peak sponsorship/team effort. The discussion frames them as a partner that also supports media content (like a YouTube channel) alongside the main EV TUNERS effort.

A livery is the car’s visual “skin” for racing—paint, graphics, and branding—used to match sponsors, teams, or special themes. Here, the speaker explains that sponsor requests drive the design and that the car’s look can change year to year.

The Porsche 911 is a long-running sports car known for its rear-mounted air-cooled (in older generations) flat-six engine layout and distinctive silhouette. In this segment, the hosts mention “old 911s” and “new 911s,” using the 911 as the classic-to-modern bridge for the discussion.

Electric propulsion systems use electric motors (and a battery energy source) instead of an internal-combustion engine to drive the car. The speaker discusses racing an EV on Pike’s Peak and compares it to their experience with internal-combustion and formula cars.

A “flat-six” (boxer) engine is an inline arrangement where six cylinders sit horizontally in two banks, opposed to each other. In this segment, Lennon highlights the sound and character of the flat-six as part of why certain hybrid/EV-era Porsche drivetrains still feel special to enthusiasts.

In performance driving, “coasting” means reducing throttle to let the car roll without actively managing engine torque. The host argues that modern driver training emphasizes avoiding coasting because it can disrupt traction and the car’s balance mid-corner or on the climb.

Maintenance throttle is a technique where the driver keeps a small, steady amount of throttle instead of fully lifting. The goal is to maintain engine torque and traction while keeping the car’s balance stable—especially when transitioning through corners or while managing speed on climbs.

“Adhesion” in motorsport is the grip between the tires and the road surface. It determines how much steering, braking, and acceleration the car can do without losing traction. The host describes feeling the “edge of adhesion” with the throttle, which is essentially the boundary between grip and sliding.

Formula One (F1) is the top tier of open-wheel racing, and this segment discusses how its drivers are using throttle-lift/coast techniques and how the approach has improved over successive races. The host contrasts F1’s current driving style with IndyCar’s long-standing fuel/efficiency focus. The discussion is about driving technique and racecraft rather than a specific car model.

IndyCar strategy often includes fuel management—driving and timing pit stops so you can stretch fuel to gain track position. When the host says Scott Dixon is “the master of fuel” and can get an “extra lapp,” they’re describing how careful throttle use and pace can avoid an additional stop. That can translate into being able to win even if competitors are faster on pure speed.

“Engine let go” means the engine suffered a catastrophic failure—something inside broke or seized so the car couldn’t continue. In hillclimb racing, that kind of failure can happen suddenly even if the run was going well.

Devil’s Playground is a named section of the Pikes Peak course that’s known for being tricky and for drawing a lot of spectators. The speaker describes it as both a challenging driving area and the biggest spectator zone.

“Slicks” are tires with no tread pattern for maximum grip on dry pavement. They’re typically used when conditions are dry; if it’s wet or snowy, slicks can lose traction quickly.

At high altitude, the air contains less oxygen, which can make breathing harder and reduce how well you can think and react. The speaker describes using supplemental oxygen as a way to stay sharp and make better decisions during the climb.

A live stream is real-time video broadcast over the internet. For long races like Pikes Peak, it lets you watch the action throughout the day without being on-site.

“Power plant” refers to the car’s engine and related propulsion hardware (e.g., internal combustion, diesel, or other setups). The host says the classes generally don’t restrict the power plant, meaning teams can choose different engine types as long as they meet safety rules.

In Pikes Peak racing, the GT4 class is a more controlled “spec” category, meaning cars are governed by tighter rules than the open-ended classes. The host also notes that GT4 is a specific subset of GT4 cars rather than a general label for anything fast.

A spec class is a racing category where rules tightly control key aspects of the cars, aiming to keep competition closer by limiting how much teams can deviate. The host contrasts spec-like GT4 rules with the more open-ended Unlimited/Open categories.

The Unlimited class at Pikes Peak is the “anything goes” category, with minimal restrictions on what the car can be or how it’s built. The host emphasizes that the classes generally have unlimited power, and Unlimited is the most extreme version of that freedom.

The Open class is a less extreme category than Unlimited, but it still allows broad freedom compared with tighter spec classes. The host notes that overall winning cars can come from Open even with more restrictions than Unlimited.

Open Wheel is a Pikes Peak class for cars with exposed wheels (the wheels aren’t covered by bodywork like a typical production car). It’s also where the series tends to allow more innovation because the rules are tailored to purpose-built open-wheel race cars.

Time Attack is a Pikes Peak class built around cars that are based on stock models, but modified for speed. The key idea is that the cars are closer to production platforms than the more specialized prototype/open-wheel categories.

Exhibition is a Pikes Peak class intended for prototype vehicles rather than cars competing for the main overall title. The speaker notes that it can be where manufacturers bring prototypes, which can make it less straightforward for a team to choose the “right” class after entry.

Vintage is described as a Pikes Peak class that has been discontinued. The speaker explains that it faded over time because older cars became more valuable and fewer people wanted to run them, plus teams didn’t want to do the modifications required by the rules.

A tube frame is a structural chassis made from welded metal tubes, commonly used in race cars and prototypes. The speaker emphasizes that even if the car looks vintage, the tube-frame construction helps avoid relying on decades-old sheet metal as structural material.

The Chevrolet Corvette is a performance sports car built by Chevrolet, known for combining everyday usability with track-capable power and handling. It often comes up in discussions about what “showroom stock” cars can realistically do on a track, since even factory versions may not be optimized for extreme driving. That’s why it’s frequently referenced when people talk about lap times, durability, and preparation versus purpose-built race cars.