Latest news with #RacetotheClouds
Irish Daily Mirror
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Irish Daily Mirror
Para-athlete enjoys ride of his life on Race to the Clouds thanks to Insta360
Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, also known as The Race to the Clouds, is an annual automobile hill climb to the summit of Pikes Peak in Colorado in the US. The challenging 12.42 mile course sees racers ascend from 2,862 metres to the 4,302-metre-high summit. The race attracts a diverse field of competitors, including motorcycles and exhibition cars. This year, tech company Insta360 helped paraplegic athlete Lance Fenderson bring one of the year's most inspiring motorsport stories to life — as the 25-year-old racer took on the legendary Pikes Peak International Hill Climb using only hand controls. READ MORE: I tested Nothing Phone 3 to see if it's the best €849 handset you can buy in Ireland READ MORE: Insta360 takes on DJI with launch of drone brand Antigravity and promise of 360-degree aerial videography After a spinal cord injury in 2019 left him paralysed from the chest down, Lance refused to give up on his dream of racing. In June 2025, he returned to the track to take on one of the world's most dangerous courses and redefined what's possible for adaptive athletes in motorsport. Para-athlete Lance Fenderson during the Race to the Clouds (Image: larry@ Throughout his rehabilitation and return to racing, Lance used Insta360's X4 to review and refine his performance. With its 8K 360 capture and AI-powered editing tools, the camera became a key part of his training — helping him analyse runs, identify improvements, and share his perspective with the world. For Pikes Peak 2025, Insta360 stepped in as a proud sponsor, offering not only financial and technical support but also storytelling collaboration, ensuring Lance had both the platform and the tools to document his journey. Using the latest Insta360 X5 360-degree 8K camera, he captured the ride from his unique POV, offering an immersive look at a comeback built on grit, innovation, and belief. 'Insta360 is honoured to sponsor Lance in his return to Pikes Peak. If there's one thing we love doing, it's backing people with powerful stories to tell, and this is certainly one,' Max Ritcher, Co-Founder & VP Marketing at Insta360, said. 'Our goal is simple: to help more creators like Lance share their stories, compete with confidence, and be seen.' The short documentary of Lance's story, presented by Insta360, is now live on YouTube — offering a powerful firsthand account of his comeback and a deeper look at the community, resilience, and purpose that fuelled his historic climb. Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here.
Forbes
12-06-2025
- Automotive
- Forbes
Emelia Hartford Prepares For Intense Pikes Peak Race In Porsche GT4 RS
Legendary car builder, YouTube icon, actress, and professional race car driver Emelia Hartford is preparing to tackle one of the world's most challenging hill climb routes, Pikes Peak, as she enters the prestigious GT4 class. Backed by Mobil 1, supported by Porsche Colorado Springs and BBI Autosport, Hartford is busy testing the 500 bhp Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport that will carve its way towards Pikes Peak's 14,000ft summit via 156 turns during the 2025 'Race to the Clouds". Support also comes from Pikes Peak Hall of Famer Jeff Zwart. 'Working with Jeff Zwart and the entire Mobil 1 team is truly an honor. Jeff is not just a legendary driver—he's a mentor who brings a level of calm intensity that's contagious; I joke he is Master Yoda. The man knows this mountain physically and mentally. Every bit of advice he gives is rooted in both precision and wisdom, and it's taught me to think differently about how I approach a run like this. And of course, running with the Mobil 1 team, a brand with a legacy of performance and innovation is truly a dream come true' Hartford tells Matthew MacConnell. Emelia Hartford at 2025 Pikes Peak Emelia Hartford Over the 12.5-mile route, Hartford will face rapidly changing weather conditions and extreme altitude—the ultimate test of both women and machine. However, she's no stranger to intense racing after recently smashing a world record at Famaso Dragstrip, California. When asked how she'll stay focused during the intense race, Hartford replied 'Focus, for me, comes somewhat easily. I am openly a bit obsessive when I dive into something. When I'm on that mountain, I'm not thinking about anything, it's kind of the only time that seems to happen. Pure bliss, no fear, no distractions just me vs the mountain. One challenge honestly is staying on my content game. I usually am very active in sharing my life with the world but that has been a bit more difficult when being so focused and locked in with my driving. Instead of shooting, editing, and posting I have been studying the road, watching driving footage, running the sim, and trying to memorize and visualize every section of the course. And honestly, the mountain demands your full attention, it's mostly blind turns at full throttle so it's not hard to stay focused when every corner could be your last.' Emelia Hartford at 2025 Pikes Peak Emelia Hartford Participating in Pikes Peak is a dream for many, including Hartford who said she set a goal to take her driving to the next level this year while working towards racing professionally in the most important and iconic motorsports races. 'We are starting with a bang with Pikes Peak. I watched Pikes Peak since I first got into cars, it's one of those races you dream about but is also more intimidating than most, and I don't get intimidated easily. It's not just a race, it's like nothing else on earth, it's a mountain with a serious legacy. Getting the chance to compete here feels like stepping into something sacred. It's intimidating, sure—but it's also a moment of growth for me, both as a driver and as a person. I've been through a lot in life, so I really live for moments like this!' Luckily, Hartford feels positive about the Mobil 1-powered 'dialed and balanced' Porsche GT4 RS that will take her to the top. Emelia Hartford's Porsche GT4 RS Emelia Hartford 'It really is very planted and predictable. It gives you confidence without taking away the respect you need to have for the road. It's been great driving something that I don't have to second guess so I can focus on the mountain more than the car. And of course, having Mobil 1 keeps my race car running smooth and strong – which is exactly what you need when every bit of engine power counts on such a tough mountain climb like Pikes Peak. I'm smiling cheek to cheek on every run.' Austin Johansen, North America Mobil 1 marketing manager, said "We're excited to welcome Emelia to her first 'Race to the Clouds' and protect the cars of seven drivers who rely on our products to power them through this challenging 12.42-mile course. It's really rewarding to be part of such an iconic event that motorsports fans everywhere look forward to.' Good luck, Emelia!
