LAS VEGAS - May 26, 2022 – Champion racer Robert Prilika will help Team Shelby celebrate the 60th Anniversary of Shelby American, a wholly owned subsidiary of Carroll Shelby International Inc., (CSBI:PK), by competing in the 100th Anniversary of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb in the Pierre Ford/Tuscany West Coast Shelby GT500SE on June 23-26, 2022, in Colorado Springs, Colorado. A limited number of people can participate in the event through the Team Shelby Pikes Peak Adventure, which will be integrated into the century-old test of speed.
"Carroll Shelby established Shelby American in 1962 after retiring as a Le Mans-winning driver, so the company was truly founded with a competitive spirit,” said Gary Patterson, president of Shelby American. “We're honored that Shelby dealer Pierre Ford and Tuscany West Coast placed Robert Prilika, one of the most accomplished racers to race up the mountain, into a new Shelby GT500SE for the 100th running of the Hill Climb. We encourage enthusiasts to join the Team Shelby Pikes Peak Adventure with our chief test driver Vince LaViolette and Executive Vice President Tracey Smith to cheer on the Pierre Ford/Tuscany West Coast Shelby.”
The Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, also known as The Race to the Clouds, is an invitation-only automobile hill climb to the summit of Pikes Peak in Colorado. This year's event, scheduled for Sunday, June 26, will mark the 100th running of the PPIHC, which features a 12.42-mile course with 156 turns and an elevation gain of 4,725 feet, rising to the finish line at 14,115 feet above sea level.
“Our team is excited to compete in a new Shelby GT500SE as we represent the Shelby American and Pierre Ford banners at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb,” said Robert Prilika. “I was extremely impressed when I drove a stock Shelby GT500 during Ford's North American Track Tour in Sonoma. Based on my race experience and given the enhancements that Shelby American makes to the car with their Signature Edition package, I'm confident that we should do very well at the Hill Climb this year.”
Robert Prilika has enjoyed a successful career as a driver, team owner, sponsor and motorsports business owner. Behind the wheel, Prilika has competed in road racing, circle track, hill climbs and endurance events across the United States. He was a winner in major sports car racing events at Daytona and Watkins Glenn and claimed a division championship at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. He earned the 2003 championship in IMSA-Grand American Road Racing for Daytona Prototypes. He was also a four-time National Auto Sport Association champion in GT55 and Enduro classes, and an SCCA Champion in GT-1 competition. These achievements put him into the 2019 class of the Colorado Motorsport Hall of Fame.
“As a former NASCAR West driver, I was very impressed with Robert's racing record,” said Vince LaViolette, Shelby American Vice President of Operations, Chief Test Driver and Chief Designer. “His career includes competing and winning in a remarkable array of classes while contributing substantially to the careers of many fellow competitors and race teams. As a former class champion at Pikes Peak, Robert is the perfect driver for the Pierre Ford Shelby GT500SE.”
Pierre Ford of Seattle, one of the top selling Shelby dealers in the world for the past five years, is providing the Shelby GT500SE for the race. The car is also sponsored by Tuscany West, which distributes Shelby muscle trucks and cars across the western United States.
Introduced as the latest generation car, the Shelby GT500SE boasts additional horsepower, new hood, wheels, tires, suspension tuning, interior, badges, stripes and more.
“With a new pulley and coolers, the V8 can make over 800 horsepower,” said Jason Anucinski, General Sales Manager of Pierre Ford. “Shelby American lowers the car with more track-focused springs that match a new aggressive suspension tune. Then they slice 30 pounds off the top of the car with the ultra-light dry carbon fiber hood, which is also much stronger and lighter. Competing at Pikes Peak with this amazing car demonstrates our commitment to the serious enthusiast.”
The sale of each Signature Edition car benefits the Carroll Shelby Foundation, which was established by Carroll Shelby. The Foundation provides medical assistance for those in need including children, educational opportunities for young people through automotive and other training programs and benefitting the Shelby Automotive Museum.
Team Shelby will be a key part of the Pikes Peak Centennial Celebration. The international club is offering a special package that includes:
- Pikes Peak Team Shelby Climb caravan up the mountain
- Pikes Peak International Hill Climb Fan Fest party with a street festival, racer meet/greet, music and VIP dinner on the world-famous Gasoline Alley
- Shelby Drive to Adventure with a ride on The Royal Gorge Route Train
- Pikes Peak Hill Climb Race Day Experience Pikes Peak Hill Climb Race Day Experience
“Carroll Shelby loved adventure, so we crafted a special experience that blends many special opportunities for the ultimate weekend,” said Tracey Smith, International Director of Team Shelby and Executive Vice President of Carroll Shelby International. “The intersection of Shelby American's 60th Anniversary with the Centennial of the Pikes Peak Hill Climb will make it a historic weekend with memories that last a lifetime.”
Team Shelby Pikes Peak Adventure tickets are available at https://www.shelbystore.com/product-p/z31-pikes-2022.htm. The Carroll Shelby Signature Edition post-title packages are available through Shelby American and select Shelby mod shops internationally. Individuals interested in Shelby vehicles can visit www.shelby.com.
About Shelby American, Inc.
Founded by legend Carroll Shelby, Shelby American, a wholly owned subsidiary of Carroll Shelby International Inc., manufactures and markets performance vehicles and related products. The company builds authentic continuation Cobras, including the 427 S/C, 289 FIA, 289 streetcar, Daytona Coupe and Shelby Series 2 component vehicles; it offers the Shelby Super Snake, KR, SE and GT post-title packages for the 2015-2022 Ford Mustang. Shelby American also offers the Shelby Raptor, Shelby F-150 Super Snake and Shelby F-150 trucks, as well as the Shelby F-250 Super Baja. Heritage cars include the continuation 1965 Shelby GT350 competition model, 1967 Ford Shelby Super Snake and 1968 Ford Shelby GT500KR. For more information, visit www.shelby.com.
About Robert Prilika Motorsports
RPM was founded by Robert Prilika, who has over 30 years of experience racing. He competed successfully in NASCAR, IMSA, Grand AM Rolex, USSS, Pikes Peak International Hill Climb (PPIHC), SCCA World Challenge and Club Racing, IRL, AMA Motocross, NASA and Porsche Club. Robert has achieved over 200 combined road racing wins at famous tracks like Daytona, Watkins Glen, VIR and PPIR in cars including Porsche GT3. LOLA, Nissan SRPII Prototype, Picchio BMW Prototype, NASCAR Late Model Impala SS, Dallara Oldsmobile Indy Car, LOLA Buick Indy Car, GForce Infiniti, Oldsmobile Indy Car and Porsche Turbo. He has achieved over 30 top ten circle track finishes in series including NASCAR, USSS and Grand AM. He also holds various track records and was inducted into the Colorado Motorsports Hall of Fame in 2019. Additional information is available at https://robertprilikamortorsports.com
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Shelby American
Scott Black
(214) 520-3430 or sblack@tprm.com