I had the opportunity to shadow the El Paso County Search and Rescue team this past weekend at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. Our task was to retrieve any cars that may have the misfortune of going off in precarious places (a.k.a. cliffs). Fortunately for the race participants, the services of the Search & Rescue Team were not needed. My responsibility to the S&R team was to be a "mule" and help retrieve these vehicles and drivers (via rope!), so again, thankfully MY services weren't needed either! I figured it was an even trade for free admittance and the opportunity to take a few photos. My brother Luke is a full-time S&R member, so it was cool to hang out with him for the day too. Here are a few of the more notable shots I captured yesterday. Enjoy!

Joel

 

a few more...


<-- My brother Luke.

 

Nice pics Joel, I've got a few pics taken at Devil's Playground but none as good as these shots.

 

Nice pics, your brother looks a lot like you.

 

Post 'em up! I wish we could have been up higher to see the cars ascend through that area - maybe next year we'll get the search and rescue team to have 2 posts!

 

Thanks Dave. If I only had a dollar for every time I've heard that. Seriously though, he's the coolest person I know and a major butt-head at the same time.

 

That's called brotherly love.

 

As requested

 

and again

 

Wow! The pavement got really dirty in that section.

 

Yeah, I got hit a few times with rocks. lol

 

Thanks for the pics! A few years ago, there were a couple of 350Zs entered from Japan. I heard one was 2WD and the second a SR20DETT AWD version. Full pit crews to back them up too. But I guess that effort went the way of the Dodo...

It chaps my hide to see another factory Solstice effort out in another high $$ venue. A few years ago, I wouldn't have guessed GM would back that. I think in another few years, it'll be hard to remember they ever did.

 

There was an '06 Z this year, but I only saw it's practice times on the PPIHC web site, never saw it flyin' up the hill. At the end of the day we drove by it on our way out. It sat at the roadside at about a mile from the start line with no apparent damage. It must have had some sort of mechanical issue.

 

Actually both cars were AWD with RB26's. Top Secret's race effort for PPIHC.

http://www.topsecretjpn.com/gallery.shtml

 

I stand corrected.

 

Those car got nothing on that support van...

 

I believe those 350Zs were there as part of the SCCA effort put forth that year. I really wish they'd come back, it was far more entertaining with them there.

Too bad Nissan won't put forth at least one factory sponsored car for this race. Like perhaps a GT-R?