Skelta gears up for Pikes Peak campaign

Skelta Sports Cars has rolled out the car that Jeff Denmeade will drive in this year's Pikes Peak Race to the Clouds. The Skelta has been finished in a striking, Australian-themed style, comprising an Australian flag sweeping up along the flanks either side. "The livery looks fantastic and brings out the lines superbly," said Denmeade.  "The Aussie flag twirling up the side will be hard to miss." In only his second appearance at the famous hillclimb (sealed for its full length this year), Denmeade will be running the Skelta in Open Class, as one of three Australians taking part in the event, which commences with qualifying from July 4, followed by timed events on July 8. "It'll be tough - it's a big class full of talent and speed," Denmeade was quoted as saying in a press release. The Australian driver, who won his class at the event in 2010, claims that the level of competition is stronger now that the run to the peak is tarmac the whole way. There has been more interest in entering the event this year as a consequence, with the field filling as early as January. In previous years the organisers have still be taking entries in June, the month prior to the event commencing. This year's event will be the first occasion an Australian-designed and built car has entered. In addition to Denmeade, two other local drivers have entered: Will Orders from Altona North, Vic, in a '93 Nissan Silvia, and James Hodgson from Queensland in a '68 Ford Mustang.