[TPR] MD to Pikes Peak in 2026 Update

Sat Jun 28 19:49:17 PDT 2025

 So this year I have to wait until November 1st to register. I sent my notice of intent so I am on the competition list. 
So lets start the conversation on upgrades and mods....John and Dave reminded me I will need to plumb oxygen into the cockpit and/or helmet....will be looking at advise from Pikes Peak veterans on that.
I was running 11:1 compression with solid lifters but in 2018 Russ detuned the engine and went with a mild roller and moved compression down to 10:1.....Wot are your opinions going to 12:1 compression?
While my engine should be good for Silver State in September I really need to crack open the block for another 100 HP...maybe more.....Power at WOT is done. I can't afford twin turbos as nice as it would be to have them but they were never standard on a Pantera were they?...so come on my friends and team mates I need your input....and you don't have to share it either with the TPR site. If your idea works I will give you credit and if it doesn't I will blame you personally! HAHAHA

A few subtle but serious mods Asa is working on NOW is reinstalling my ducktail rear spoiler, the front end splitter that Randy pounded out, and the under carriage diffuser from radiator back. Its hard to say if Randy's splitter will be enough.....but Larry says with the added diffuser under the car I should be able to hit 200! 
Hoping Asa will be able to get everything done before SS so I can get some track test time at SIR or PIR at speed. Plan is to average what I average in 1997 at my first ORR or 140 Mph....no goal this year to go faster but if the Pantera feels more stable at 150 then it did last year I may crank up the average speed to 145. Goal is better control at SPEED.
This planned hill climb at Pikes Peak will be my last hurrah....I'll keep coming to Ely for another 3 years but then I will need to learn how to fly fish.HAHA  
    On Saturday, June 28, 2025 at 07:56:04 AM PDT, Chris Terp <chris at theseminargroup.net> wrote:  

Congratulations Dennis!

Christopher Terp

The Seminar Group

From: TPR <tpr-bounces at teampanteraracing.com>On Behalf Of DENNIS ANTENUCCI via TPR
Sent: Friday, June 27, 2025 5:00 PM
To: David Carpenter <davecarp80138 at outlook.com>; Asa Jay <asajay at asajay.com>; Team Racing <tpr at teampanteraracing.com>
Subject: [TPR] Fwd: Behind the Wheel: Diego Degasperi

TPR News, 

Happy to report I just applied to run my Pantera at the 2026 Pikes Peak Hill Climb. 

As some of you know I was approved to take on this bucket list hill a couple years ago but work got in the way. 

So excited about the opportunity to apply again. With My son, Dolan living in Denver, Dave Carpenter living nearby and Dennis Quella not far away all in Colorado my tentative plan is to get out to Colorado 2-3 weeks early to get elevation acclimated and get the Pantera up to 14,000. 

  I am gonna need a lot of support to make this happen next year and God willing, I will be there.

Dennis, who remembers being told at my rookie ORR run by a Corvette owner in Ely in 1997,

“Rookies always choke and Panteras always break.”

I came in 1st place that year!

Yea not bad for a rookie and a Pantera!

😂😂😂

Dennis

Sent from my iPhone

Begin forwarded message:

From: Pikes Peak International Hill Climb <information at ppihc.org>
Date: June 27, 2025 at 11:03:19 AM PDT
To: teampantera at yahoo.com
Subject: Behind the Wheel: Diego Degasperi
Reply-To: information at ppihc.org

2025 Rookie of the Year

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ITALIAN DIEGO DEGASPERI NAMED 2025 PPIHC

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
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Colorado Springs, CO – The Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, presented by Gran Turismo, has added a new name and second consecutive Italian, to the prestigious Rookie of the Year roster.Diego Degasperi, racing out of Trento, Italy, joins countryman, Christian Merli, who was honored in 2024.
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FAST FIRST APPEARANCE
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Traveling to America alongside teammate, Simone Faggioli, a PPIHC veteran,

Degasperi qualified on the first day of Race Week. It was his first session on the mountain. His qualifying time of 03:40.591 foreshadowed what was to come.
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On the second practice day, when he moved up to the middle section, Degasperi described his biggest challenge, "Even though I'd studied the onboard videos, on that first run I was paralyzed. I couldn't accelerate. The snow was on the roadsides, and the open hairpin bends were scary."
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FAN FEST
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When three days of qualifying were complete, Degasperi made theFast 15 listing, a group of the top qualifiers for race day. He was the only rookie on the impressive roster. He appeared with his Nova Proto NP01 Bardahl at Fan Fest in Colorado Springs to meet fans and sign autographs.
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"Fan Fast was incredible - just stunning!" exclaimed Degasperi, listing it as one of his most memorable moments of 2025.
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ROOKIE WEIGHT LIFTED
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After a more than two-hour weather delay, the race began, although it wouldn't be to the summit. Due to incredible wind speeds on the mountain, the finish line was moved down to Glen Cove. Instead of a race over three sections, the 2025 Race to the Clouds would cover only the lower section.
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Degasperi confidently launched from the line and reached the brake check station at Glen Cove in just over three and a half minutes.
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Of the twenty-one rookies competing in 2025, Degasperi clocked the best time on race day. His closest competitor was first-time racer, Patrick Culligan, in the Pikes Peak Open division, who finished in 04:26.743.
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ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
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Degasperi shared his thoughts on being named 2025 Rookie of the Year, "Making my debut on such a difficult track and winning this award makes me very proud. This award was won by champions like Loeb, Dumas, Faggioli, Merli, etc., etc., now also Degasperi, wow!
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"This was a dream. You always have to believe in your dreams. They do come true."

 Diego Degasperi
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BEYOND 2025
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Asked about plans to return and make another attempt at a full-course run, Degasperi shared, "I hope so, but it won't be easy. The Pikes Peak dream ends at 4300 meters (14,115'), but this year we stopped at 3600 m (13,300'). Organizing the trip for us, as Europeans, is not only very expensive but also very difficult in terms of logistics. My fingers are crossed to return."
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GET TO KNOW DIEGO DEGASPERI

Instagram:@diego_degasperi
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Fun Facts:

"I started racing in 1993 when I was 26 years old, and actually I’ve run about 300 races."

"As a hobby, I practice ski mountaineering in the winter. I also enjoy road cycling in the summer.

"My favourite foods are grilled meat and aperitifs."
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Who do you want to thank for contributing to your success this year?"There are many people, starting from my family who supported me; especially my daughter Arianna. We shared twelve days of emotions. I would like to thank the Faggioli team for their professionalism and my friends with the collection of signatures (100). Of course, a big thank you to all the sponsors."
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What other races have you enjoyed?

"Trento/Bondone (Italy)

Levico Vetriolo Panarotta (Italy)

Iglesias Sant’Angelo (Italy)

Pedavena Croce d’Aune (Italy)

Vittorio Veneto Cansiglio (Italy)

Montèe des Lègendes - Col de la Faucille GEX (France)

Ecce Homo (Czech Republic)"
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Photos by: PPIHC - Larry Chen Photo - Larry Chen, Luis Garcia, Charles Zhao, Jason Zindroski.
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ABOUT THE COLORADO SPRINGS AIRPORT

The Colorado Springs Airport provides a travel experience that prioritizes friendliness, safety, and comfort. Enjoy the speed and convenience of a small airport with options on daily nonstop flights and hundreds of connections worldwide. COS is committed to delivering exceptional service and a warm welcome to all our passengers, making your journey memorable from start to finish. For more information visitFlyCOS.com, like us onFacebook, follow us onTwitter,Instagram andLinkedIn. Your adventure begins here at the Colorado Springs Airport.
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ABOUT THE PIKES PEAK INTERNATIONAL HILL CLIMB

First staged in 1916, the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb is the second oldest race in America. The invitation-only event, often referred to as The Race to the Clouds is held annually near the end of June on Pikes Peak – America’s Mountain, near Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA. The famous 12.42-mile (20 km) course consists of 156 turns, boasts an elevation gain of 4,725 feet (1,440 m), and reaches a finish line at 14,115 feet (4,302 m) above sea level. The PPIHC’s six race divisions feature a wide variety of vehicles - from production-based Time Attack challengers to purpose-built Open Wheel racers and state-of-the-art Unlimited vehicles. The current race record was set in 2018 by Romain Dumas and Volkswagen in the all-electric I.D. R Pikes Peak – 07:57.148.

Contact:

Lisa Haight

Communications Manager / Historian

lisa at ppihc.org

(719) 685-4400

www.ppihc.org
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