Oldest driver in the 2022 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb competing at 82 years old
CASCADE, Colo. (KRDO) -- Spend just a few seconds inside Ralph Murdock's garage with him and it's easy to pick up on his knowledge of cars.
"Working on cars, building cars, making motorcycles run faster, making cars run faster, it’s just the way it is. I love it," said Murdock
Murdock grew up in Colorado Springs. He had his first taste of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb more than seven decades ago.
"I was up there several times on the mountain with my dad when I was just a little kid. Seeing the race, back when it was running then the cars were so primitive compared to what we’re running today. It’s just an exciting event. It’s an event of a lifetime," said Murdock.
It's an event Murdock knew he'd be a part of.
"I ran a '63 Corvette Stingray in 1965 up Pikes Peak. Did fairly well but not as much as I’d like to. Some days you get a good break and other days you don’t get a good break," said Murdock.
Murdock eventually did get his good break. Murdock took 37 years away from racing to run his garage and raise his family. But, in 2010, his son convinced him to get back in the car.
In 2011, Murdock won his division.
"I don’t remember how many cars were in that field but there was one fellow that had been dominating that field in that Vintage Division. For the last three or four years, he had been setting a mark. I came along and unloaded his mark you know," recalled Murdock.
This year, Murdock will be leaving his mark as the older racer in the event at 82 years old and possibly in the history of the race.
"You never get the desire out. It’s always there," said Murdock.
He'll be racing in his son's '91 Camero. Since it is the 100th anniversary of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, Murdock says his son thought it would be fitting if he raced.
"I think that it's kind of awesome. I’m just thankful that I am and that I can. I’ve got a lot of friends that are my age and stuff like that and they look at me like you're nuts you know, but I enjoy it. It’s a feat to do," said Murdock.
