Apr 5, 2018
CYPRESS, CA -- After winning three consecutive runs together at the 25 Hours of Thunderhill, Toyo Tire U.S.A. Corp. (Toyo Tires®) and Flying Lizard Motorsports have partnered once again, this time to enter a car in the 2018 Pike’s Peak International Hill Climb this June. Colorado native and Pikes Peak master Clint Vahsholtz will drive the No. 45 Flying Lizard Motorsports/Toyo Tires McLaren 12C GT3, which will run a variation of the iconic Lizard livery.
“When this opportunity was first brought up, we knew we couldn’t pass this up,” said Flying Lizard Motorsports Program Manager Darren Law. “We’ve had a lot of success with Toyo Tires in our tire development program, and this event will be a new challenge for us that we’re very much looking forward to.”
Located on the highest summit of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains, the event will feature racing unlike any kind Flying Lizard Motorsports has done before. Founded in 1916, Pike’s Peak International Hill Climb is the second oldest automotive racing event in North America, drawing competitors from all over the globe. The 12.42-mile course takes drivers 4,720 feet up the mountain with an astounding 156 corners before reaching the 14,115-foot summit. The course is fully paved, with a current lap record of 8:13.878, set in 2013 by Sebastien Loeb.
The current entry list features 96 competitors in 12 classes. With 23 victories in 26 years, Clint Vahsholtz is the winningest driver at Pike’s Peak.
“I am very charged for the 96th running of the Pikes Peak Hill Climb, as I have teamed up with Flying Lizard Motorsports and Toyo Tires,” said Vahsholtz. “I am looking for my 24th Division win, with the precise car set up and engine tuning of Flying Lizard Motorsports for the McLaren 12c and the extreme grip of Toyo tires on what is a very slick surface at Pikes Peak.”
“The Pikes Peak International Hill Climb is a bucket list item for any motorsports fan in the world and we are thrilled to partner with Flying Lizard Motorsports, McLaren and Clint Vahsholtz this year,” said Marc Sanzenbacher, Sr. Manager, Motorsports for Toyo Tire U.S.A. Corp. “Pikes Peak is as an excellent opportunity to demonstrate the grip and performance of our Toyo Proxes Race Slicks as the race presents many unique challenges for a tire due to the bitter cold, uneven road surface, and constantly changing conditions.”
“As we prepare for the 96th running of the Race to the Clouds, we look forward to once again welcoming Clint Vahsholtz, the winningest driver in Pikes Peak Hill Climb history. Clint’s expert course knowledge partnered with the broad-based appeal of Flying Lizard Motorsports will be exciting to watch,” said Megan Leatham, Executive Director of the Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. “In addition, sponsor support is critical to the success of our event. Every year, Toyo Tires brings their excitement about being a part of this racing tradition.”
The Flying Lizard Motorsports McLaren 12 C GT3 will be on display in front of 25,000 fans at the Toyo Tires booth at the Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb Fan Fest in downtown Colorado Springs, Friday, June 22. The event will feature a variety of entertainment for race fans of all ages, including the annual Fire Fighter Chili Cook-Off. For full event information, visit ppihc.org.
For information about Toyo® Proxes® competition tires, go to toyotires.com/tires/competition-tires.
About Toyo Tires®
Established in 1966, Toyo Tire U.S.A. Corp. represents the innovation, quality, performance, and excellent service that Toyo Tires has delivered worldwide for over 70 years. The company offers a full line of premium tires for nearly every vehicle including light trucks, SUVs, crossovers, sports cars, luxury cars and hybrids as well as commercial trucks. Many of the tires are built in the United States at their state-of-the-art factory in White, Georgia. To find the right tire for your vehicle as well as an authorized dealer, visit www.toyotires.com. Join the Toyo Tires community on: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.
About Flying Lizard Motorsports
Based out of Sonoma, California, Flying Lizard Motorsports is one of the most iconic sports car teams in motorsports, having celebrated seven driver and team championships, as well as competed internationally at the 24 Hours of Le Mans eight times. The team currently races in World Challenge, Porsche® GT3 Cup Trophy USA, and Porsche® Club of America.
The Lizards burst on the American Le Mans Series scene in 2004, competing in the GT class until 2012. In 2013, the team moved to the GTC class, still competing in legendary events such as the 12 Hours of Sebring and 24 Hours of Daytona. In 2014, the team expanded its program to include running two Audi R8 LMS in the TUDOR Championship, and in 2015, again expanded the program to include two Porsches® in Porsche® Club racing. Flying Lizard closed out the season with a dominating win at the 25 Hours of Thunderhill with Toyo Tires, a win they repeated with a 1-2 finish in 2016.
Flying Lizard has also competed in the 24 Heures du Mans from 2005 through 2012, finishing third in 2005, fourth in 2006, sixth in 2008, sixth in 2011, and fourth in 2012.
Flying Lizard Motorsports has proven to be a championship contender no matter the race series or race car. For more information, visit lizardms.com. For additional photos and all behind-the-scenes updates, check us out on Facebook, twitter and Instagram.