Audi Ascends: A Historic Showing at the 2025 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb
Editor’s Note: This article appears in the Q3 2025 issue of quattro Magazine, now arriving in members’ mailboxes. Audi Club members enjoy both print and digital access, with the latest issue also available online now. Click here to read the full issue and explore the quattro Magazine archives.
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P.S. In celebration of Audi’s legacy at Pikes Peak, Audi Club’s Win RS 3 Sweepstakes is currently offering a limited-edition enamel pin set featuring legends Michèle Mouton, Walter Röhrl, and Bobby Unser with qualifying donations. This set is not for sale and is available exclusively through the sweepstakes. Supplies are limited—learn more and enter now!
Each June, the world’s bravest drivers converge on Colorado’s most legendary mountain for one of motorsport’s most thrilling challenges: The Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb presented by Gran Turismo. Now in its 103rd running, the “Race to the Clouds” is as iconic as ever, attracting a global field of competitors eager to conquer its 12.42 miles of treacherous tarmac and 156 turns to the 14,115-foot summit.
Historically, Audi’s legacy at Pikes Peak is defined by its quattro-dominant campaigns in the 1980s, when racing legends like Michèle Mouton, Walter Röhrl, and Bobby Unser stunned the world with the raw capability of Audi’s all-wheel drive technology. This year marks the 40th anniversary of Mouton’s groundbreaking 1985 victory, when she made history as the first and only woman to win the race outright—an achievement now further recognized with her induction into the Pikes Peak Hall of Fame. In 1986, Unser bested the race record by 16 seconds, and Röhrl’s 1987 run broke the 11-minute barrier, further underscoring Audi’s dominance on the mountain. Their triumphs cemented the Audi Sport quattro S1 as a legend and sparked a cult following that endures to this day.
This year, that legacy continued roaring—with the four rings represented by nine fearless drivers determined to leave their mark on the mountain.
As such, 2025 marked the largest Audi presence ever at the event—showcasing everything from iconic quattro machines to modern interpretations and purpose-built race cars. While by the time you’re reading this the event will have already taken place (June 22, 2025), we want to shine a spotlight on the passionate individuals who brought Audi’s spirit to America’s Mountain.
A Climb Worth Celebrating
Each of these drivers represents a different part of the Audi enthusiast community—from seasoned engineers to young builders, from daily drivers to museum-quality tributes. Their stories are as varied as their vehicles, but they all share one thing in common: a passion for Audi, a respect for the mountain, and the drive to keep pushing forward.
This year’s showing at Pikes Peak wasn’t just Audi’s biggest ever—it was a celebration of legacy, innovation, and community. From the legends that paved the way in the 1980s to today’s privateers carrying the torch, the 2025 “Race to the Clouds” was a milestone for fans of the four rings.
[Audi Club North America was on-site at this year’s race, capturing the energy, camaraderie, and competition firsthand. View our initial photo gallery here, and stay tuned for our full Pikes Peak coverage in the Q4 issue of quattro Magazine—plus a very special feature coming soon to the blog and All-Wheel Driven podcast.]
Meet the 2025 Audi Pikes Peak Competitors
Scott Anderson – 1991 Audi 200 Avant (Rookie, Fort Collins, CO)
A vintage wagon at Pikes Peak? Anderson’s long-roof sleeper turns heads. An environmental engineer by trade, Scott emphasizes sustainable motorsport, running biofuel and offsetting his racing emissions. His 200 Avant is as much about making a statement as it is about performance.
Trevor Aweida – 1984 Audi 4000
(5th Year, Boulder, CO)
Aweida is a local hero in Colorado’s grassroots scene. His 4000 is race-prepped but visually understated, reflecting his “let the driving do the talking” mentality. When he’s not on the mountain, he’s volunteering at local events or mentoring high school auto tech students.
Emmanuel Cecchet – 1986 Audi S1 E2
(Rookie, Huntington, MA)
A physicist and former endurance cyclist, Cecchet brings a strategic, data-driven mindset to racing. He’ll be climbing in one of two Audi S1 E2 Tributes prepared by RayTeam Automotive for the 2025 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. Featuring a turbocharged engine tuned for reliability and cornering finesse, with an output of over 500 hp, his car strikes a balance between precision and performance. For Emmanuel, the race is more about the mountain than the machine—“You have to earn every inch,” he says.
Christian Ghimbos – 2012 Audi TT RS
(Rookie, Magnolia, TX)
A lifelong gearhead and tuning enthusiast, Ghimbos comes from a drag racing background but was drawn to the challenge of hill climbs. His TT RS sports a custom widebody kit and track-tuned suspension, and he’s known in his local Texas community for organizing grassroots motorsport events.
David Hackl – 1983 Audi quattro
(12th Year, Grand Lake, CO)
Hackl is one of the most seasoned Audi drivers on the mountain. A mechanical engineer with deep ties to Colorado’s rally scene, his 1983 quattro has evolved over the years but retains its iconic lines and original five-cylinder soul. David is passionate about educating younger drivers on rally history and regularly mentors newcomers.
Matus Huska – 2010 Audi TTS
(4th Year, Parker, CO)
Huska’s TTS is a crowd favorite, thanks to its unique wrap and grassroots spirit. A Slovakian immigrant and small business owner, he uses racing as a platform to promote youth technical education and immigrant entrepreneurship. His journey from building cars in his garage to racing Pikes Peak is the definition of perseverance.
Alex Kim – 1985 Audi S1 E2 Tribute
(Rookie, Salt Lake City, UT)
An Audi fanatic with a flair for historic detail, Kim built his S1 E2 tribute from the ground up, meticulously replicating the look, feel and even the sound of the original Group B monster. A software engineer by day, he spent three years assembling this car as a passion project. Racing at Pikes Peak was the ultimate dream—a way to connect with his childhood idols.
David Rowe – 1986 Audi quattro Group S
(5th Year, Northamptonshire, UK)
Rowe’s replica of the never-raced, mid-engine, “Group S” Audi blends British craftsmanship with German engineering—but it’s more than a tribute to the brand. Nicknamed “Ray” after his late brother’s middle name, the car honors the sibling who once shared his dream of racing at Pikes Peak. This year, Rowe climbs the mountain in remembrance of those memories and the bond they built together.
Josh Tenge – 2012 Audi TT RS
(Rookie, Larkspur, CO)
Tenge, a former professional freestyle motocross rider turned performance driving instructor, brings adrenaline and experience to his debut. His TT RS was built with help from students at a local automotive trade school. His mission: to inspire the next generation through hands-on motorsport.
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