Knoop, Mann pay tribute to military with their Hill Climb race car
For Rick Knoop, Pikes Peak was love at first sight.
The Californian behind the wheel of one of the most unique vehicles at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb has won the famous 24 hours at Le Mans and hit speeds over 200 mph in a NASCAR race at Talladega in his more than 30 years as a race car driver. But nothing compares to the hairpin turns atop death-defying cliffs in one of the world’s most famous hill climbs.
“I think I’m catching the fever, I think I can feel it,” said Knoop, a 59-year-old Hill Climb rookie, his legs kicked over the center console in the cab of his truck Thursday. “I think I want some more of this stuff.”
Dramatic curves consume the elongated body of the deep navy blue race car he drives, a work of art that started as a kit car and is modeled after a 1958 Jaguar Lister. And with the words “Navy Seals” engraved on the rear spoiler, the race car owned by Julian Mann pays tribute to more than an iconic vintage vehicle.
Military connections run deep for Mann, whose father served in the Navy and father-in-law Tom Carruthers served in the Marines, both in World War II. Losing his father three years ago and Carruthers in March, the owner says it was the perfect way to offer “a little bit of a salute.”
On the other side of the spoiler is “Tom Carruthers IV” in block letters
“Rick and I have always shared a general affection for the can-do era of our father’s generation,” said Mann, of the car in Sunday’s Hill Climb for the exhibition division.
“One of the ways to keep them alive is to keep their cars alive.”
With a tanned face and ever-expressive persona, even in a fire suit Knoop looks like a venerable surfer in his native Laguna Beach, Calif. But once he positions his helmet under the roll cage, his experience qualifies him to handle the 700-plus horsepower Chevrolet engine sitting in a car originally designed to go no faster than 120 mph.
He speaks endlessly of his respect for this mountain, his understanding that one wrong move can mean fatal injuries.
“It’s intuitive, but then it will surprise you,” he said after several practice runs on the bottom and middle sections of the course.
“It’s one of the most challenging projects, adventures, motor sport activities I’ve ever done.”
In the tightly connected world of professional racing, Knoop first learned of the Hill Climb from local legend and three-time champion Bob Donner Jr. First meeting in the late ‘70s, the road racer is making his Pikes Peak debut in the first year the course is fully paved.
To prepare the car for the race to the summit, Knoop and his crew added strength to the structure and improved aerodynamics of the 2,200-pound vehicle named the “Knoop-Mann Special.”
Responsible for much of the radical evolution is Leon Patton, who has worked with Mann for six years in his mission to get this car ready for top pro races. Between practice runs, Patton used a computer to analyze more than 20 graphs, measurements he says are especially important since he has never worked on a car racing at such high altitude.
But the engineer, who spends most of his time building engines for high-performance off-road vehicles, remembers the early doubters.
“Obviously the right thing to do, everybody was telling him a long time ago, (was to) dump the car, get something more aerodynamic,” Patton said. “We had that talk, and he said, ‘I just like the looks of it.’”
In its run Sunday, the No. 31 car will bring back memories not only of vintage race cars but the many members of that generation who dedicated much of their lives to military service.
Rick Knoop of Laguna Beach, California, prepares to race his 1958 Lister Knoop-Mann Special during the second day of practice Thursday, August 9, 2012, for the 2012 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. Photo by Susannah Kay, The Gazette Photo by SUSANNAH KAY, THE GAZETTE
Racers drive down Pikes Peak after completing the second day of practice Thursday, August 9, 2012, for the 2012 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. Photo by Susannah Kay, The Gazette Photo by SUSANNAH KAY, THE GAZETTE
Christopher Lennon of Monument, Colorado, races his 1967 Porsche 912 during the second day of practice Thursday, August 9, 2012, for the 2012 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. Photo by Susannah Kay, The Gazette Photo by SUSANNAH KAY, THE GAZETTE