Ode to a Plastic Trophy
There aren't many people who lust after a silly plastic light-up trophy, but for the last three years I've wanted one of my own. Sure, I've earned some incredible ones in the ARA and proudly display them, but that acrylic-and-LED memento has eluded me.
Temple Canyon, 2023: My First Time as a Hill Climb Co-Driver
In the summer of 2023, I co-drove for the very first time. It was with the Colorado Hill Climb Association (CHCA) for Janis Dancis, in his Lancer Evo VIII. Fast car and fast driver. The event was Temple Canyon Hill Climb, and we took first in class. That trophy LIT UP. I mean literally- it was clear with an LED base. As usual, the trophies went to the driver.
One Last Run at PPIR
Fast forward to this year, 2026. I'd completed my season, or so I thought. I was looking forward to a nice, relaxing break until next season. Then a couple more CHCA events came up.
When Jake Qualy posted that he was looking for a co-driver for the PPIR Hill Climb, I took the bait. Besides, it was the last time this event would run, since PPIR closes at the end of 2026. This hill climb is the flattest in the series, but still very fun, with lots of twists and turns, a long straightaway ending in a square left and a right three, and well-groomed dirt that gets pretty rutted by the end.
Jake's E30 BMW (originally an '86 325e, but he swapped the ETA motor for the 2.5-liter M20 and added a turbo) was nimble, and he was committed to beating the current course record in the Rally 2WD class. That record, set in 2023, just happened to be held by my husband, Drew Carlson, and his driver and friend, Kubo Kordisch (3:01.65). Well, we fought hard for a 2:57.23, and I'm so happy to keep that record in the family!
Monarch Pass
And then, as things go, I STILL wasn't done co-driving for the season. My favorite CHCA event was coming up, and guess who needed a co-driver again.
The Monarch Hill Climb runs just over two miles up an unpaved forest road on Monarch Pass, ending at an active quartz mine. It starts fast enough that some cars hit 100 mph or more before the road turns into steep, technical hairpins, and there's little room for error if you're not trying to break your car. We hit 95 mph at least once. I know for sure because someone brought out a radar gun.
The road is narrow and climbs in elevation pretty quickly. Water draining down the pass for who-knows-how-long had carved ruts so deep that some spots looked like a mini Grand Canyon, but a grader went through the course the day before the qualifying runs and smoothed everything out really well. The aspen were yellow and lined the road like a fence, keeping us from plummeting off the mountainside if we lost traction.
At the top, the quartz mine was so white and pretty, with piles of rock that almost look like snow. And the weather was perfect. You can't complain about cooler weather when you're bundled up in a fire suit and helmet.
Qualifying Day
Saturday was qualifying, and Sunday was race day. On our eighth run Saturday, we broke an axle. Not the worst thing in the world- Jake had a spare and expertly replaced it. But not before we had to get towed down the pass. While sitting in the car, backward on the tow truck. It was like being on a rollercoaster stuck in reverse. But hey, the view was spectacular.
Race Day
Sitting in the right seat on Sunday, I made sure my harness was tight, my chin strap was secure, and my suit was zipped up. We were secretly hoping we might break another Rally 2WD record. And boy, were we close. The class record at Monarch was 2:25.86. Our best Rally 2WD run was 2:26.05. SO close!
For this race, we were dual-entered (twice the runs, split between the Rally 2WD and Unlimited classes). Our very last run of the day was in Unlimited. And what do you know- we hit 2:25.19. But since that was in a different class, it didn't count as a record-breaker. Knowing we had it in us was very cool though!!
Two Trophies, Finally
We ended up first in class at both PPIR and Monarch. At each event, there was a trophy for the fastest time on qualifying day and another for the fastest time on race day, and we won both. That made four trophies, so Jake and I each took home two.
Now the light-up trophies I've been thinking about this whole time sit on either side of my TV.
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