Officials with the Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb on Friday announced the 2022 Inductees into the Hall of Fame.
Courtesy of The Colorado Springs Gazette By Hugh Johnson
David Bachoroski, Robert J. “Bob” Gillis, Grier Manning, Joyce Thompson Ford, Gary Trachy and Greg Tracy, Wes Vandervoort, John Wells and the Dallenbach Family will be enshrined in the Hall in June, alongside the 100th running of the “Race to the clouds.”
Bachoroski was the president of the Pikes Peak Hill Climb Historical Association from 2007 to 2018. He was the pace car driver/mechanic for the race 12 times. He was a car builder and on the pace car set up and prep crews for Rick Mears, Johnny Parsons, Sr. Al Unser, Jr., Louis Unser and Elke Sommer.
The Dallenbach brothers, Paul and Wally Jr., built an enduring legacy that vaulted them into the Hall of Fame with the former being a 3-time King of the Mountain, setting a course record in 1993. Paul also racked up 11 division wins.
Wally Jr. competed for three years and captured an Open Wheel win in 2006. Wally’s son competed in the same division six years later.
Their father, Wally, Sr., played a critical role in bringing back the motorcycle program on Pikes Peak after an 8-year hiatus. Dedicated to improving racing safety, he served as a race steward and advisor.
Gillis has been a board member for more than 20 years and revived the Land’s End Hill Climb near Grand Junction, which is often used to help drivers train for the Pikes Peak Hill Climb. Gillis is also a member of the Colorado Springs Sports Hall of Fame.
Manning is celebrated for his prowess as a racer and a mechanic. Racing from 1963 to 1970 and again in 1977, he finished in the top ten six times. As mechanic, he served as crew chief to Ted Foltz from 1973 to 1988, helping Foltz notch several wins, including a King of the Mountain title in 1980. Manning passed away in 2017.
Her only run in the race came in 1960. It began with a sunny and warm start and transitioned to rain, hail and even snow at the summit.
Greg Tracy and Gary Trachy celebrated success together for years. In 12 appearances, Trachy finished in the top three of every motorcycle class offered. He had two overall wins, five division records alongside eight division wins.
Tracy raced for 19 years on Pikes Peak from the mid 1990s to 2012. In 2013, he switched to cars, competing in four divisions. Tracy has 14 podium finishes, including seven wins and is the only competitor on Pikes Peak to break nine minutes on bike (2012) and in a racecar (2014).
Vandervoort finished in the top ten every year of his 12-year career save for one. He was King of the Mountain in 1967 beating out 26 competitors, notably Bobby Unser and Mario Andretti. He died in 1993.
Wells raced on Pikes Peak for 25 years and secured 13 podium finishes. He also secured an Open Wheel win in the division’s sprint class.
Wells is most known for the Wells Coyote he debuted in 1976. He soon became the go-to builder for a fast car on Pikes Peak. The vehicle would dominate the Open Wheel division for decades with several wins, including wins by Bill Brister, Al Unser Jr. and Stan Kossen.
