Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1921-02-02
CHEVROLET WINS PIXIES PEAK
HILL CLIMB

Inc PlkeS Peak AutomDlie High
way the scene of the Penrose Cup Hill
Climb, is world famous although built
and open only five years. 1t ascends
tie mountain by system of wonder
full curves and WIS, the grades averag-
ing ten degrees and running as high
as seventeen degrees.
The Weaver-P Porter Company, Chew
rolet dealers in Colorado Springs Colo,
had been getting such excellent reports
from Chevrolet cars that had climbed
the peak during the tourist season
that they discussed the race with their
chief mechanic, William Bentrup. He
knew the road. He also knew Chew
rolet cars. He jumped at the oppor-
tunity to enter the event.
A stock -Four Ninety Touring car
that had already run 1000 miles in
demonstration work, was stripped for
action. No new bearings or parts
were necessary despite the punishment
given a car in the trial tests up the
steep and curved road, on September
sixth, 14,109 feet above sea level.
Three thousand motor cars lined the
highway and ten thousand people were
there to view the blue ribbon event OF
the west. Hundreds were assembled
on the very peak of the famous noun
tain, at the terminus of the automo-
bile highway
This year there was an imposing list
of entries. with factory experts from
eastern motor centers and professional
pilots at the wheels. They practiced
for two weeks prior to the race. Ben
trup made only two trial trips.
Tie race, conducted under the aus
pices and rigid inspection of the A. A.
A., was against time, and in the draw.
| ing for position the Chevrolet was plac.
ed next to last Regularly at ten.
minute intervals car would roar
away across the starting line and be
lost as it began the steep ascent
around the pine-clad hills. The tele-
phone lines brought the news to the
starting timers of what was happen
| ing at the finish on the blizzard-swept
summit.
The work of the starters was almost
over when Bill Bentrup sent his Chew
rolet "Four-Ninety" across the start
ing tape. No mechanician rode with
him to pump oil and gasoline into a
faltering motor. No goggles shield,
ed his eyes and no elaborate trappings
kept the wintry breezes from cutting
to his marrow. He was out to win,
and wanted no surplus baggage.
The Chevrolet took each sharp curve
with ease, and got away again at full
speed. Slippery curves where other
drivers before him had skidded were
negotiated with apparent ease. Fiji
teen to seventeen degree grades level
ed out before the stout little motor
that never failed. The motometer
showed a hot engine after twelve miles
of upgrade but she was not steaming
As he reached the summit with a
straightaway of only 200 yards, Ben
trup stepped on her" to the limit, the
ear leaped as if by command, and the
race was over. Timers and Judges OF
the finish of the Annual Pixies Peak
Hill Climb conferred and the man with
the megaphone shouted, "Bentrup in
Chevrolet; time, "a minutes, five and
two-fifths seconds"
Spectators gasped Here was the
Chevrolet, competing with factory en-
tries piloted by experienced race driv-
ers, making the best time in Class No.
], for cars with piston displacement of
1873 inches or under. When the next
and last car came in, two minutes be
hind the Chevrolet, Bentrup walked
over to the judges for his $500 prize
1t was his first race and his first prize
The Chevrolet -Four Ninety" per-
Torrance in the 1920 Pixies Peak Race
was the best yet made by car in its
class. When you tour Colorado make
the trip up Pixies Peak. and see what
it is'to do it in "a minutes-the Chev-
rolet -Four Ninety" time. 49, Denver
~ roas