90th Pikes Peak International Hill Climb
Veteran road racer Rick Knoop will “take on the hill” at the 90th edition of the world famous Pikes Peak International Hill Climb in the Knoop-Mann Special on Aug. 12.
Mixing beauty and function, the Knoop-Mann Special was developed from a 1958 Jaguar Lister frame as a tribute to Knoop’s father, Fred Knoop who built and raced the Knoop-Huffaker Special in the late 1950’s. With the recent passing of team owner and co-driver Julian Mann’s father-in-law, Tom Carruthers, who was a Navy Seal during WWII, Knoop and Mann have announced that the car will also pay tribute to Navy Seals and all U.S. service personnel.
Rick Knoop says: “It’s a great honor to be invited to the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb this year. Our team is proud to pay tribute to all U.S. service personnel throughout history. We want people to cheer on the Knoop-Mann Special as it tackles the hill and remember the heroes who dedicated their lives to protecting our country and freedom.”
The Knoop-Mann Special is painted Navy blue and will be equipped with a new “Twin-Element Wing” featuring a large Navy Seal logo and Tom Carruthers’ name. Stuffed with a Patton Racing Tall-Deck CNC Block Chevrolet Stroker V8 with 15 degree heads and 4-Speed G-Force transmission, the car produces more than 800 horsepower using the latest on-board Motech Racing technology.
Leon Patton (Chief Engine Builder) says: “I’m excited to see the Knoop-Mann Special compete on the hill this year. Every internal component from the engine to the on-board electronics is functioning in complete harmony. Now, Rick has become one with the car and I’m eager to see what he can do.”
Knoop and the Knoop-Mann Special team are the 2011 NASA National defending champions in the TTR class. They currently lead both the Super Unlimited and TTR classes in the Southern California region.
A long-standing tradition in Colorado Springs, the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb is the second oldest motor sports race in America; 2012 marks the 90th running of the event. Festivities begin the evening of Aug. 10 with a Fan Fest in downtown Colorado Springs featuring motorcycle jumpers, two beer gardens, a chili cook-off and live bands.
It is projected to draw 35,000 spectators. Racing will take place on Aug. 12 as participants climb 4,720 ft. up the 12.42 mile track that consists of more than 156 turns.
About Knoop Motorsports and the Knoop-Mann Special
Through longtime friendship with owner and co-driver Julian Mann, World Endurance Champion Rick Knoop and Busby Racing developed the Knoop-Mann Special from a 1958 Jaguar Lister Frame. Mixing beauty and function, the car is a tribute to Rick’s father, Fred Knoop who built and raced the Knoop-Huffaker Special in the late 1950’s. With its sleek Navy Seal blue finish and Navy Seal logo, it has also evolved into a special tribute to all U.S. soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines of the WWII and Korean War eras. With more than 35 years of racing experience, Rick has won and placed in many of the world’s most challenging and prestigious sports car races.
