16 year old Girl Climbs Fourteener in a MINI

Pikes Peak Hill Climb

From FOXNews.com (AP)

"Savannah Rickli, of Littleton, Colo., the youngest female competitor in race history at age 16, finished her run in her 2003 Mini Cooper in 13:58.232 and was brought to tears after reaching the summit."

"This is such a personal victory," said Rickli, a junior at Dakota Ridge High School. "I've been waiting for this moment since I went to my first Hill Climb 12 years ago. I'm just so happy to be up here."

 

Congrats Savannah!!!

 

Ditto!!

Need to hook her up with a little RMW POWER for next year Jan!

 

stupid question maybe, why is the back trim panel missing?

 

Atta girl.

 

Now that is awesome!

 

Could have broken off in the climb. That car is being driven, unlike many of the garage queens around here.

 

Clearly easy weight reduction

 

(Photo from MINI of Loveland email)

Here is a different angle of her car with the wheel arches on. In the OP photo it looks like the rear wheels are tucked in to clear the missing wheel arch.

 

 

Having been there on a number of occasions I can testify that there are more than a few spots that can rearrange your body work

 

 

This was a GREAT accomplishment for a GREAT young lady. She took the record away from Al Unser Jr. for the youngest to get to the top.

Savanna completed her run in under 14 minutes placed third in her group, and is 2010 rookie of the year.

All major accomplishments for a 16 year old, who, by the way, is planning to become a major name in racing.

 

Congrats to her!!

 

Awesome run.

 

Wooohooo congrats!

 

I think we are going to be hearing a lot more about this driver.

 

She was hit in turn 15 at HPR while slowing to pit.

 

You go GIRL!

 

So true.

the Fox News picture is from High Plains Raceway at an SCCA event, and there had been a small on track altercation. just a racing deal.

Savannah drove like a seasoned pro during testing, practice and race day. She did have a few "moments" but we loaded the car into the trailer under its own power each day. Rebecca Greek, codriver, was an intergral part of the teams success.

Savannah's mini was powered by Mini of Loveland, fabrication and engineering by Built-By-Bones, and preparation and track support by SCR Performance.

I will try to post a full report later this week, look for this mini and driver at MITM and MTTS - Denver

Grant

 

for our CO based forum members, this car is on center stage at Mini of Loveland for the next few weeks. Please stop in and say hi, bring your kids and take some pictures.

Still covered in genuine Pikes Peak dirt, and celebratory champagne (and sparkling apple juice for Savannah) :-)

 

ZING!

(I live near CO Sprs and it's a big story here. that's a vicious road. great job girl!)

Last time I climbed a 14'neer (Evans) was in my old MCS, and my CEL wouldnt go off for 2 days. supercharger helped get up that last 1500 feet, tho

 

Yeah, or letting your bodywork plunge a few thousand feet straight down. Well put, PP veteran .

 

Congrats Savannah!

May you add many more such accomplishments to your driving resume!

Motor On!

 

WOOT!!! Congratulations Savannah...what a huge accomplishment. Thanks for doing our MINI family proud!