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Emelia Hartford tackling Pikes Peak
Mobil 1
Emelia Hartford has added another milestone to her rapidly expanding motorsport résumé, becoming the fastest woman in the history of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. Her record-setting drive up the famed Colorado mountain earned her the unofficial title of "Queen of the Mountain" and marked one of the defining moments of her racing career.
Driving a 2026 Chevrolet Corvette in the Time Attack 1 class, Hartford completed the 12.42-mile course in 10:11.018, establishing a new all-time female four-wheel record at one of the world's most demanding motorsport events.
Known globally as the "Race to the Clouds," the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb challenges competitors with 156 corners, an elevation gain of nearly 5,000 feet, and a summit more than 14,000 feet above sea level. Success depends as much on preparation and mental discipline as on outright speed.
For Hartford, the record represents more than a fast time—it completes a journey that began a year earlier.
Her debut at Pikes Peak in 2025 showed promise, but extreme weather forced officials to shorten the course before competitors could reach the summit. Hartford still emerged as the second-fastest female driver despite never getting the opportunity to tackle the full mountain in competition.
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Hartford prepping for the race
EHE
That experience fundamentally changed how she approached her return.
"I learned to prepare for everything because this mountain will throw it all at you," Hartford tells author Matt MacConnell. "I also learned how much of a head game this race is. Having confidence to stay on throttle on blind turns with a cliff on your side is a whole new level of confidence."
Returning in 2026 with more experience, a more capable Corvette, and guidance from Pikes Peak veteran Jeff Zwart, Hartford arrived with a deeper understanding of what the mountain demands. Even then, it continued to test her.
"There are so many variables," she said. "My first practice weekend, we lost both days due to technical issues that didn’t show up until we got on the mountain. Then we lost more practice due to the weather on the upper section that was newly paved just before race week."
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Hartford on Pikes Peak
Jake Bond
The race itself presented another challenge. While practice sessions began at 5 a.m., Hartford's race run took place much later, when temperatures and grip levels had changed dramatically.
"The mountain really does throw everything at you. It's hard to describe without being there how grueling it really is. Weather, altitude, wildlife, technical issues, no sleep—the list goes on and on. The only thing that doesn't surprise me is the constant surprise."
Hartford has built an international audience on YouTube by documenting ambitious automotive builds and record-breaking performance cars. But in recent years, she has increasingly focused on proving herself behind the wheel, expanding into professional motorsport across multiple disciplines.
Pikes Peak represents perhaps the ultimate proving ground. Unlike traditional circuit racing, there are no second chances on a 12.42-mile climb lined with steep drop-offs, rapidly changing weather, and ever-thinning air as drivers approach more than 14,000 feet above sea level.
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Hartford on Pikes Peak
Mobil 1
While earning the Queen of the Mountain title marked a historic achievement, Hartford admits it initially came with mixed emotions.
"I am without a doubt my own harshest critic. That comes from a girl who has been judged and challenged her entire career in a male-dominated industry."
Her competitive instincts remain firmly fixed on overall victories rather than gender-specific milestones.
"I really don't love focusing on being the fastest female, as ultimately my goal is to be the fastest, period. Regardless of gender—and that day will come."
It was only after speaking with members of her team following the race that her perspective shifted.
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The Pikes Peak team
EHE
"I need to celebrate and show what girls can do to inspire and overcome these exact challenges," she said. "So ultimately, even though I wanted to win overall, setting the bar higher for all the women and little girls who want to do the same only makes that overall win more likely in the future."
Although the overall victory at the 2026 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb once again belonged to Romain Dumas, Hartford's record became one of the defining stories of this year's event. Her climb not only secured her place in Pikes Peak history but also underscored her evolution from automotive creator to accomplished racing driver.
The title "Queen of the Mountain" may be unofficial, but the achievement is anything but. By becoming the fastest woman ever to complete the full Pikes Peak course on four wheels, Emelia Hartford has etched her name into one of motorsport's most storied events—and, perhaps more importantly, raised the benchmark for the next generation of racers.
This article was originally published on Forbes.com
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