Qatar sheikh (in black) shown here with the Porsche he took up Pikes Peak in 11:37. Photo by Brent Briggeman @BrentBriggeman
Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad Al-Thani offered a simple explanation as to why he took on the risk of The Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb.
“I just love racing,” the Qatar prince said.
The sheikh clocked a time of 11 minutes, 37 seconds in his Porsche 918 that sported Qatar plates in his first full run at America’s mountain just five days after learning the race existed.
He had been in California earlier in the week, driving his Porsche in an event up the Pacific Coast Highway from Los Angeles to San Francisco. In a conversation with a member of the team that builds motorcycles for him, he first heard about the Hill Climb.
“I thought it was a bike event,” the sheikh said. “But then he sent me some videos about the race and Monster (Nobuhiro Tajima) and I was like, ‘Is this a car event?’ Then they told me that there was a bunch of classes that I can come run, but it was fully booked.
I’m very thankful to (race CEO) Tom (Osborne) for allowing me to come and participate in an exhibition class.”
The sheikh completed the course immediately after the pace car, he then caught the first train down the mountain and left town.
He said he would be back next year as a competitor and with a car built for the course.The sheikh, 22, has long been a racing enthusiast. He said he first started street racing – a nice perk of being royalty – in Qatar when he was 15. He has since driven Formula 1 and Funny Cars and was a sponsor of an NHRA team.
This was his first crack at a mountain course and he said he handled it without any scary moments. He didn’t know his top speed, as he said he didn’t look down at the small digital speedometer on his dash.
Qatar sheikh (in black) shown here with the Porsche he took up Pikes Peak in 11:37. Photo by Brent Briggeman @BrentBriggemanA Porsche 918 driven by Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad Al-Thani. Photo by Kristen Gowdy @KristenGowdyMotorcyclists race to the top of Pikes Peak during The Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb at the summit on June 28, 2015. Many motorcyclists honored the death of Carl Sorensen, who passed away on Thursday during a practice ride, and his close friend Michael Applehans rode his bike to the summit. Photo by Logan Riely, The Gazette (LOGAN RIELY)Motorcyclists race to the top of Pikes Peak during The Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb at the summit on June 28, 2015. Many motorcyclists honored the death of Carl Sorensen, who passed away on Thursday during a practice ride, and his close friend Michael Applehans rode his bike to the summit. Photo by Logan Riely, The Gazette (LOGAN RIELY)Motorcyclists race to the top of Pikes Peak during The Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb at the summit on June 28, 2015. Many motorcyclists honored the death of Carl Sorensen, who passed away on Thursday during a practice ride, and his close friend Michael Applehans rode his bike to the summit. Photo by Logan Riely, The Gazette (LOGAN RIELY)Motorcyclists race to the top of Pikes Peak during The Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb at the summit on June 28, 2015. Many motorcyclists honored the death of Carl Sorensen, who passed away on Thursday during a practice ride, and his close friend Michael Applehans rode his bike to the summit. Photo by Logan Riely, The Gazette (LOGAN RIELY)Motorcyclists race to the top of Pikes Peak during The Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb at the summit on June 28, 2015. Many motorcyclists honored the death of Carl Sorensen, who passed away on Thursday during a practice ride, and his close friend Michael Applehans rode his bike to the summit. Photo by Logan Riely, The Gazette (LOGAN RIELY)Motorcyclists race to the top of Pikes Peak during The Boradmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb at the summit on June 28, 2015. Many motorcyclists honored the death of Carl Sorensen, who passed away on Thursday during a practice ride, and his close friend Michael Applehans rode his bike to the summit. Photo by Logan Riely, The Gazette (LOGAN RIELY)Motorcyclists race to the top of Pikes Peak during The Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb at the summit on June 28, 2015. Many motorcyclists honored the death of Carl Sorensen, who passed away on Thursday during a practice ride, and his close friend Michael Applehans rode his bike to the summit. Photo by Logan Riely, The Gazette (LOGAN RIELY)Motorcyclists race to the top of Pikes Peak during The Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb at the summit on June 28, 2015. Many motorcyclists honored the death of Carl Sorensen, who passed away on Thursday during a practice ride, and his close friend Michael Applehans rode his bike to the summit. Photo by Logan Riely, The Gazette (LOGAN RIELY)Motorcyclists race to the top of Pikes Peak during The Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb at the summit on June 28, 2015. Many motorcyclists honored the death of Carl Sorensen, who passed away on Thursday during a practice ride, and his close friend Michael Applehans rode his bike to the summit. Photo by Logan Riely, The Gazette (LOGAN RIELY)Motorcyclists race to the top of Pikes Peak during The Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb at the summit on June 28, 2015. Many motorcyclists honored the death of Carl Sorensen, who passed away on Thursday during a practice ride, and his close friend Michael Applehans rode his bike to the summit. Photo by Logan Riely, The Gazette (LOGAN RIELY)Motorcyclists race to the top of Pikes Peak during The Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb at the summit on June 28, 2015. Many motorcyclists honored the death of Carl Sorensen, who passed away on Thursday during a practice ride, and his close friend Michael Applehans rode his bike to the summit. Photo by Logan Riely, The Gazette (LOGAN RIELY)Motorcyclists race to the top of Pikes Peak during The Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb at the summit on June 28, 2015. Many motorcyclists honored the death of Carl Sorensen, who passed away on Thursday during a practice ride, and his close friend Michael Applehans rode his bike to the summit. Photo by Logan Riely, The Gazette (LOGAN RIELY)Motorcyclists race to the top of Pikes Peak during The Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb at the summit on June 28, 2015. Many motorcyclists honored the death of Carl Sorensen, who passed away on Thursday during a practice ride, and his close friend Michael Applehans rode his bike to the summit. Photo by Logan Riely, The Gazette (LOGAN RIELY)Motorcyclists race to the top of Pikes Peak during The Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb at the summit on June 28, 2015. Many motorcyclists honored the death of Carl Sorensen, who passed away on Thursday during a practice ride, and his close friend Michael Applehans rode his bike to the summit. Photo by Logan Riely, The Gazette (LOGAN RIELY)Motorcyclists race to the top of Pikes Peak during The Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb at the summit on June 28, 2015. Many motorcyclists honored the death of Carl Sorensen, who passed away on Thursday during a practice ride, and his close friend Michael Applehans rode his bike to the summit. Photo by Logan Riely, The Gazette (LOGAN RIELY)Motorcyclists race to the top of Pikes Peak during The Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb at the summit on June 28, 2015. Many motorcyclists honored the death of Carl Sorensen, who passed away on Thursday during a practice ride, and his close friend Michael Applehans rode his bike to the summit. Photo by Logan Riely, The Gazette (LOGAN RIELY)Motorcyclists race to the top of Pikes Peak during The Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb at the summit on June 28, 2015. Many motorcyclists honored the death of Carl Sorensen, who passed away on Thursday during a practice ride, and his close friend Michael Applehans rode his bike to the summit. Photo by Logan Riely, The Gazette (LOGAN RIELY)Motorcyclists race to the top of Pikes Peak during The Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb at the summit on June 28, 2015. Many motorcyclists honored the death of Carl Sorensen, who passed away on Thursday during a practice ride, and his close friend Michael Applehans rode his bike to the summit. Photo by Logan Riely, The Gazette (LOGAN RIELY)Motorcyclists race to the top of Pikes Peak during The Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb at the summit on June 28, 2015. Many motorcyclists honored the death of Carl Sorensen, who passed away on Thursday during a practice ride, and his close friend Michael Applehans rode his bike to the summit. Photo by Logan Riely, The Gazette (LOGAN RIELY)Motorcyclists race to the top of Pikes Peak during The Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb at the summit on June 28, 2015. Many motorcyclists honored the death of Carl Sorensen, who passed away on Thursday during a practice ride, and his close friend Michael Applehans rode his bike to the summit. Photo by Logan Riely, The Gazette (LOGAN RIELY)Motorcyclists race to the top of Pikes Peak during The Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb at the summit on June 28, 2015. Many motorcyclists honored the death of Carl Sorensen, who passed away on Thursday during a practice ride, and his close friend Michael Applehans rode his bike to the summit. Photo by Logan Riely, The Gazette (LOGAN RIELY)Motorcyclists race to the top of Pikes Peak during The Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb at the summit on June 28, 2015. Many motorcyclists honored the death of Carl Sorensen, who passed away on Thursday during a practice ride, and his close friend Michael Applehans rode his bike to the summit. Photo by Logan Riely, The Gazette (LOGAN RIELY)Motorcyclists race to the top of Pikes Peak during The Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb at the summit on June 28, 2015. Many motorcyclists honored the death of Carl Sorensen, who passed away on Thursday during a practice ride, and his close friend Michael Applehans rode his bike to the summit. Photo by Logan Riely, The Gazette (LOGAN RIELY)Motorcyclists race to the top of Pikes Peak during The Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb at the summit on June 28, 2015. Many motorcyclists honored the death of Carl Sorensen, who passed away on Thursday during a practice ride, and his close friend Michael Applehans rode his bike to the summit. Photo by Logan Riely, The Gazette (LOGAN RIELY)Motorcyclists race to the top of Pikes Peak during The Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb at the summit on June 28, 2015. Many motorcyclists honored the death of Carl Sorensen, who passed away on Thursday during a practice ride, and his close friend Michael Applehans rode his bike to the summit. Photo by Logan Riely, The Gazette (LOGAN RIELY)Motorcyclists race to the top of Pikes Peak during The Boradmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb at the summit on June 28, 2015. Many motorcyclists honored the death of Carl Sorensen, who passed away on Thursday during a practice ride, and his close friend Michael Applehans rode his bike to the summit. Photo by Logan Riely, The Gazette (LOGAN RIELY)Cars and motorcycles of all types raced to the top of Pikes Peak during The Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb Sunday, June 28, 2015. Due to thunderstorms and hail that accumulated at the summit, the race was shortened and moved to Glen Cove, which is located about halfway up the mountain. Photo by Logan Riely, The Gazette (LOGAN RIELY)Cars and motorcycles of all types raced to the top of Pikes Peak during The Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb Sunday, June 28, 2015. Due to thunderstorms and hail that accumulated at the summit, the race was shortened and moved to Glen Cove, which is located about halfway up the mountain. Photo by Logan Riely, The Gazette (LOGAN RIELY)Cars and motorcycles of all types raced to the top of Pikes Peak during The Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb Sunday, June 28, 2015. Due to thunderstorms and hail that accumulated at the summit, the race was shortened and moved to Glen Cove, which is located about halfway up the mountain. Photo by Logan Riely, The Gazette (LOGAN RIELY)Cars and motorcycles of all types raced to the top of Pikes Peak during The Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb Sunday, June 28, 2015. Due to thunderstorms and hail that accumulated at the summit, the race was shortened and moved to Glen Cove, which is located about halfway up the mountain. Photo by Logan Riely, The Gazette (LOGAN RIELY)Cars and motorcycles of all types raced to the top of Pikes Peak during The Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb Sunday, June 28, 2015. Due to thunderstorms and hail that accumulated at the summit, the race was shortened and moved to Glen Cove, which is located about halfway up the mountain. Photo by Logan Riely, The Gazette (LOGAN RIELY)Cars and motorcycles of all types raced to the top of Pikes Peak during The Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb Sunday, June 28, 2015. Due to thunderstorms and hail that accumulated at the summit, the race was shortened and moved to Glen Cove, which is located about halfway up the mountain. Photo by Logan Riely, The Gazette (LOGAN RIELY)Cars and motorcycles of all types raced to the top of Pikes Peak during The Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb Sunday, June 28, 2015. Due to thunderstorms and hail that accumulated at the summit, the race was shortened and moved to Glen Cove, which is located about halfway up the mountain. Photo by Logan Riely, The Gazette (LOGAN RIELY)Cars and motorcycles of all types raced to the top of Pikes Peak during The Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb Sunday, June 28, 2015. Due to thunderstorms and hail that accumulated at the summit, the race was shortened and moved to Glen Cove, which is located about halfway up the mountain. Photo by Logan Riely, The Gazette (LOGAN RIELY)Cars and motorcycles of all types raced to the top of Pikes Peak during The Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb Sunday, June 28, 2015. Due to thunderstorms and hail that accumulated at the summit, the race was shortened and moved to Glen Cove, which is located about halfway up the mountain. Photo by Logan Riely, The Gazette (LOGAN RIELY)Cars and motorcycles of all types raced to the top of Pikes Peak during The Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb Sunday, June 28, 2015. Due to thunderstorms and hail that accumulated at the summit, the race was shortened and moved to Glen Cove, which is located about halfway up the mountain. Photo by Logan Riely, The Gazette (LOGAN RIELY)Cars and motorcycles of all types raced to the top of Pikes Peak during The Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb Sunday, June 28, 2015. Due to thunderstorms and hail that accumulated at the summit, the race was shortened and moved to Glen Cove, which is located about halfway up the mountain. Photo by Logan Riely, The Gazette (LOGAN RIELY)Cars of all types race to the top of Pikes Peak during The Boradmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb at the summit on Saturday, June 28, 2015. Due to thunderstorms and heavy snow that accumulated at the summit, the race was shorted and moved to The Cove, which is located about halfway up the mountain. Photo by Logan Riely, The Gazette (LOGAN RIELY)Cars and motorcycles of all types raced to the top of Pikes Peak during The Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb Sunday, June 28, 2015. Due to thunderstorms and hail that accumulated at the summit, the race was shortened and moved to Glen Cove, which is located about halfway up the mountain. Photo by Logan Riely, The Gazette (LOGAN RIELY)Cars and motorcycles of all types raced to the top of Pikes Peak during The Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb Sunday, June 28, 2015. Due to thunderstorms and hail that accumulated at the summit, the race was shortened and moved to Glen Cove, which is located about halfway up the mountain. Photo by Logan Riely, The Gazette (LOGAN RIELY)Cars and motorcycles of all types raced to the top of Pikes Peak during The Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb Sunday, June 28, 2015. Due to thunderstorms and hail that accumulated at the summit, the race was shortened and moved to Glen Cove, which is located about halfway up the mountain. Photo by Logan Riely, The Gazette (LOGAN RIELY)Due to thunderstorms and hail that accumulated at the summit, the race was shortened and moved to Glen Cove, which is located about halfway up the mountain. Photo by Logan Riely, The Gazette (LOGAN RIELY)Cars and motorcycles of all types raced to the top of Pikes Peak during The Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb Sunday, June 28, 2015. Due to thunderstorms and hail that accumulated at the summit, the race was shortened and moved to Glen Cove, which is located about halfway up the mountain. Photo by Logan Riely, The Gazette (LOGAN RIELY)Cars and motorcycles of all types raced to the top of Pikes Peak during The Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb Sunday, June 28, 2015. Due to thunderstorms and hail that accumulated at the summit, the race was shortened and moved to Glen Cove, which is located about halfway up the mountain. Photo by Logan Riely, The Gazette (LOGAN RIELY)Cars and motorcycles of all types raced to the top of Pikes Peak during The Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb Sunday, June 28, 2015. Due to thunderstorms and hail that accumulated at the summit, the race was shortened and moved to Glen Cove, which is located about halfway up the mountain. Photo by Logan Riely, The Gazette (LOGAN RIELY)Cars and motorcycles of all types raced to the top of Pikes Peak during The Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb Sunday, June 28, 2015. Due to thunderstorms and hail that accumulated at the summit, the race was shortened and moved to Glen Cove, which is located about halfway up the mountain. Photo by Logan Riely, The Gazette (LOGAN RIELY)Cars and motorcycles of all types raced to the top of Pikes Peak during The Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb Sunday, June 28, 2015. Due to thunderstorms and hail that accumulated at the summit, the race was shortened and moved to Glen Cove, which is located about halfway up the mountain. Photo by Logan Riely, The Gazette (LOGAN RIELY)Cars and motorcycles of all types raced to the top of Pikes Peak during The Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb Sunday, June 28, 2015. Due to thunderstorms and hail that accumulated at the summit, the race was shortened and moved to Glen Cove, which is located about halfway up the mountain. Photo by Logan Riely, The Gazette (LOGAN RIELY)
