- PPIHC
- April 4, 2025
YOSHIOKA BACK ON THE MOUNTAIN FOR FIFTH RUN IN 2025 PIKES PEAK HILL CLIMB
Colorado Springs, CO – The Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, presented by Gran Turismo, is truly an international spectacle. June’s 103rd Running will feature top drivers from 12 countries, including Toshiki Yoshioka who will be representing Japan.
A four-time competitor, Yoshioka is back behind the wheel for the first time since 2014 in a new build – a 2020 Toyota Supra, and is entered in the Time Attack 1 division.
THE JOURNEY TO PIKES PEAK
“I first heard of the Pikes Peak Hill Climb in the mid-1990s. It impressed me so much when I watched the video of Rod Millen racing that Toyota Celica with a big wing running on Pikes Peak’s gravel highway with wide open throttle,” recalled Yoshioka. “I was young and never thought I would have a chance to do the Race to the Clouds, but when that opportunity came I had no question – just do it!”
Yoshioka first ran on Pikes Peak in 2011 when the course was partially paved. He finished 3rd in the Time Attack 2WD division in a 2000 Nissan Silvia in 11:33.734.
Nobuhiro Tajima won the overall crown, and Rod Millen captured the win in Time Attack 2WD.
He returned in 2012 with the same car, again finishing third in the Time Attack division, but shaving nearly 45 seconds off his time.
Rhys Millen would set a course record and win the division as well.
Yoshioka was back on the mountain for his third year in a new build, a 2013 Subaru BRZ. He clocked a 12:13.753 for a 5th place finish in the Time Attack division and shared, “My biggest racing accomplishment was PPIHC 2013 in the Subaru. Driving in heavy rain and hail was my toughest experience!”
This also marked the first year the 12.42 mile course was fully paved. The overall course record fell when France’s Sébastien Loeb, a PPIHC rookie, raced a specially-built Peugeot to the summit in 08:13.878.
Yoshiko’s last run on the mountain took place in 2014. He raced a Scion FRS in the Time Attack 1 division, clocking his best time ever, a 10:34.564, enough for fourth place.
“In the past,” shared Yoshioka, “I have raced in the PPIHC four times and never had a trouble free event once! Head gasket leak, driving in heavy rain, hail and fog. I feel lucky I was able to make it to the summit for all of the races I participated in. What a great moment when everyone is smiling after the race – no matter what – finish or no finish.”
TOYOTA TEAM TALK
Asked about the new build, Yoshioka is quick to reply, “We are T-RAD Racing, the after-hours employee team from Toyota R&D in Michigan. Erik Benedikt, our team captain, has taken the lead to build this car for PPIHC with optimized aerodynamics and new powertrain unit. But what makes our car stand out is that Supra is such a famous Toyota sports car.”
“I came to this country for Drift racing, but I really wanted to do something different…and Pikes Peak is a BIG difference!”
Toshiki Yoshioka
PERSPECTIVE
For many reasons, the Pikes Peak Hill Climb presents challenges drivers face nowhere else, changing weather, unpredictable wildlife, and partial course practice sessions. Yoshioka sums it up well, “You can only drive full course on the Race Day which means if you have raced 20 times, that gives you only 20 laps of full course competition driving in 20 years!”
GET TO KNOW TOSHIKI YOSHIOKA
Instagram: @toyota_r.a.d_racing
Fun Facts:
“From 2002-2014 I was a Formula Pro-Drift racer in Japan and the USA.”
“In 2012 we had snow on the summit, so a few of us had a snowball fight, which was fun!”
“I love skiing with my wife and children. We also enjoy farm activities. We have dogs, chickens and ducks, and we enjoy making maple syrup in the winter.”
Pikes Peak Hero:
“Rod Millen with the Toyota Celica Pikes Peak. I was impressed, both with his car and his driving. Loved the dirt coming out behind all of four tires. Driving on the edge of the road. Sideways every time, all the time. What precision driving!
Fortunately, I was in the same class with him in 2011 to see him driving in person when he returned to Pikes Peak with his son Rhys’s Hyundai Genesis.”
[Note: Rod Millen, pictured below, won the division in 2011, setting a division record of 11:04.912.]
Favorite Section: “Glen Cove. I like driving through the brake check point with speed. This section marks of end of the tree line, and you begin to see that change as you move up the mountain.”
Advice for a PPIHC Rookie: “Enjoy every moment, both on and off the mountain, during race week!”
Anything you forgot in the past and you will be sure have this year? “Anti-fog windshield spray!”
TOSHIKI YOSHIOKA STORMS THE MOUNTAIN DESPITE FULLY-FOGGED WINDSHIELD
Photos by: Rupert Berrington, Scott Paine, PPIHC Archives, Toshiki Yoshioka
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