71 Cuda wins Vintage Pikes Peak Climb in record time

[tommyg29]

Just read a great article in my just received issue of Hot Rod magazine.  Its a 9 page spread with some cool pictures of the 71 Cuda painted in the 70 AAR theme. Im not a big fan of the mag because its mostly GMs and Fords, but they occasionally have some worthy reads.

Jess Neal is the driver of the #42 Dan Gurney tribute car, and he ran a 12:03 to win the vintage division.
Awesome 

[cuda346pk]

Just read a great article in my just received issue of Hot Rod magazine.  Its a 9 page spread with some cool pictures of the 71 Cuda painted in the 70 AAR theme. Im not a big fan of the mag because its mostly GMs and Fords, but they occasionally have some worthy reads.

Jess Neal is the driver of the #42 Dan Gurney tribute car, and he ran a 12:03 to win the vintage division.
Awesome 

Awesome, didn't he win his class last year too, before they finished paving the entire route?

[tommyg29]

I think he finished 2nd last year, to a 67 mustang

[EB3-GranCoupe]

Here is a video of his run:

Jess Neal at the 2012 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb

Same video, but with GPS telemetry showing a map, speed, and altitude.  cool stuff:

http://contour.com/stories/ppihc2012-race-jess-side-full

[EB3-GranCoupe]

Here is another video clip of a practice run.  Man, what a gorgeous view out back!!

Cuda Practice 3

[tommyg29]

great video.
Im always amazed seeing people standing along the side, literally 10-15 feet away from cars going over 100mph driving through a curve with no barriers. I think that 67 mustang hit a pedestrian this year.
If you lose it for a moment or two for whatever reason....mechanical or tire failure or whatever...you could easily take a lot of people out. I would at least try to find a good spot alongside a BIG tree!

[70cudafan]

Hey Tom. Nice ride for the wife.  Now she can drive the Charger to the Mopar Nationals next March!!

[Devil]

It is an awesome article by Elana, here is the Hot Rod Unlimited episode companion to the written article.

1971 Plymouth 'Cuda Conquers Pikes Peak! - HOT ROD Unlimited Episode 16

More info

http://blogs.hotrod.com/video-1971-plymouth-cuda-races-the-2012-pikes-peak-international-hill-climb-37115.html

Ryan

[AARuFAST]

Tommyg.   Also read the article in my Hot Rod Mag.............There was a previous post on Jesse  http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=87316.0
With the help &  input Jesse got the car to beat the track for the win..

Way to go 1 Bad Azz 'Cuda.

[tommyg29]

sorry
I didnt realize this was a repeat topic.
As for the Mopar Nats next year, Im actually hoping to get my 92 Stealth up there.
But The cuda will be too, come hell or high water.
Hope to see you there!

[cudaracer48]

 Thanks for the kind words and video postings. Actually, I finished second to a Falcon last year. This year the '67 Mustang's brakes failed for some reason just as the car crossed the finish line on the last day of practice. The driver skillfully steered the car into a boulder glancing off it and hitting another that a girl was standing on. She fell off that rock and was taken to the hospital to be checked and released with no or minimal injuries. I know the driver personally and he's a straight up guy who would put himself on the line before endangering anyone else. That being said, there shouldn't have been spectators anywhere near the shutdown area much less children. I'm sure we'll see many changes next year.

Jess Neal
#42 Cuda

[AARuFAST]

No problem Tommyg. Its good to read more about Jess in Hot Rod I just got my issue Monday. Haven't read article, yet.
All e-Body owners envy u cudaracer48,  something we only dream of doing.....
Wife and I did a lot of traveling out west.
 I have driven up Pikes Peak before it was fully paved in a rental car twice 96 & 97.
More on Cudaracer48

http://blogs.hotrod.com/video-1971-plymouth-cuda-races-the-2012-pikes-peak-international-hill-climb-37115.html

[EB3-GranCoupe]

Jess,

Congrats on winning!  And thanks for joining the conversation!!  I bet many of us here would like to hear more about you and your car.  You've done a great job!

By the way, I want to be you when i grow up!!  hahaha! 

[tommyg29]

Congratulations   

[AARuFAST]

Cheatin Death on the Mountain.  Viewing the video of Jess run he came close to the edge a few times.
In Hot Rod mag. Jess mentions his 71 had some modifications to the body to lighten it.  Fiberglass AAR hood, bumpers, aluminum brackets.
Added 72 Fenders to save the originals from damage. Fake gills decal on fender.   
Fuel VP110--107 octane.   You can get away with 107 octane at high atlitude only with hi compression for that performance,
You can hear 42 popping.
At 12 to 14 thousand feet the oxygen is thinner.  Stoop down at 14,110 feet and get back up quickly and you might be grabbing hold
of someone or thing keep from fall on your face.  10 or more minutes and you get light headed for the lack of oxygen.  40% less than sea level.
Stay safe and enjoy your trip........... 
SOme info  on the AAR hood.  Chrysler made some changes to the AAR hood aerodynamics in a wind tunnel.  The scoop
was to high and did not function to scoop air so they lowered the opening so the air flow entered better.