Katherine Legge is quite a jester.

As Legge spoke about the upcoming 103rd Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, presented by Gran Turismo, after Wednesday’s practices, she detailed her foray into the event.

Legge learned about the race 20 years ago from a friend who spoke about the delight of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. Throughout the years, several more racing friends gushed about their experience and thrill of the Hill Climb.

“I had mentioned to a few of my friends within (Honda Racing Corporation) over the years that I wanted to do the race,” Legge said. “We were at Long Beach two years ago and one of them was there and he said we don’t have a driver for it yet. I said, ‘Sign me up!’ … A few weeks later, I got a phone call saying I was in. James cried himself to sleep that night.”

No, James Nazarian, HRC program manager, did not actually soak a pillow with tears trying to sleep, but he did chuckle at Legge’s joke.

Nazarian and the HRC crew were grateful for a successful rookie campaign where Legge placed 27th overall out of 60 competitors in 2024 in the Acura Integra Type S DE5. Legge clocked in at 10 minutes, 51.359 seconds, just shy of the front-wheel drive record of 10:48.094 set in 2018 by Nick Robinson in the Acura TLX.

As Legge and the HRC team prepped for the race in 2024, Nazarian said they came to the 102nd event to “show the car off.” But as Legge concluded each session prior to race day, they saw potential to break the front-wheel drive record. Not achieving that goal, well …

“We feel like we let her down,” Nazarian said. “We win as a team and lose as a team. We were elated to finish the run and be three seconds off the record. If we never went any faster, it’s still an accomplishment. … For a few different reasons, we weren’t able to execute that on race day. So, it’s unfinished business for sure.”

Nazarian and Legge both shared blame for missing the FWD record during last year’s Hill Climb. Though Legge maintained her playful tone, her competitive spirit that has allowed her to race NASCAR, IndyCar, International Motor Sports Association, Formula E and other circuits, showed in her next three words.

“I was gutted,” Legge said. “I was absolutely gutted. I knew the car had the potential to do it and that was in my hands. Everything wasn’t perfect but it was good enough to get that record. I felt like I had failed the team. I need redemption now.”

Legge will return this season in the Acura Integra Type S DE5 with the benefit of a year of experience. Shifts in weather and understanding how heat affects the vehicle’s performance serve as areas where Nazarian said the crew can shave time.

“We ran the wrong tire, which was the perfect tire for those cold practice days,” Nazarian said. “But it was too soft for the race day and we overheated the tires. We’ve paid a lot of attention to that to make sure the car is up to the task this year.”

Legge entered the race “not knowing what to expect” but now with a year of experience, she recognizes how to be precise in different areas.

“I didn’t know how the course would change, and last year I put a lot of pressure on myself,” Legge said. “I overdrove a bit so I can tidy up a break zone here or there and not miss an apex. I can be a little tidier and that will help a lot.”

For this year’s Hill Climb, which begins Sunday at 7:30 a.m., Legge enters with a wealth of confidence. She didn’t know how her rookie race would end, but Legge has an expectation this season.

“When, we get the record, not if,” Legge said. “I’m so happy that we have the same crew and team we had last year. That makes it one of the most enjoyable experiences in racing. The challenge and camaraderie aspect are special. But I’m having a blast and I think we can beat the record. Why wouldn’t I want to come back?”