A family that races together … well, races together
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GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. — “I live for the thrill, I live for that jittery feeling,” said Tempa Feagin. “Some people do drugs, I do racing.”
Tempa Feagin, 27, stood near loosely organized rows of race cars at the base of the Grand Mesa, one of many drivers waiting to charge up Lands End Road in a race that pushes the limits of tire traction — and sanity.
The Lands End International Hill Climb, a time trial, point-to-point race up the side of the Mesa, was organized by the Colorado Hill Climb Association, which has hosted races in the state for 54 years. The race happened August 3. The next in the series, on Temple Canyon Road near Cañon City, is at the end of the month.
Video: Joshua Vorse, Rocky Mountain PBS
If Colorado Springs’ Pikes Peak Hill Climb, with its pedigree and international draw, is akin to Major League Baseball, then the Lands End Hill Climb would be the Pioneer League. The Feagin family is a fixture at this race.
Feagin raced dirt bikes and ATVs in similar competitions the last five years. This summer is her first time in car #54, a custom Chevy S-10 pickup. Each type of vehicle races in its own category. Racers on dirt bikes, for example, do not compete against drivers in open-wheel cars. Feagin races in the “Comp Truck” division.
“This is a lot of drifting. I love the drifting, I love being able to throw myself sideways,” said Feagin. Drivers jostle around in their cars as they rocket up the five mile course, protected by a required roll cage, helmet, and flame-proof race suit.
“I would say [the] majority of us are out here just to beat our own time, to try and make it to the top every single time, and win against your times,” said Tempa Feagin.
Her first practice run was a 06:45.48. She improved to 06:29.80 on race day, earning second place in the Comp Truck category.
Racing is what Feagin wanted to do since she was little, and the shadow of Pikes Peak has loomed large over her racing career. Feagin grew up in Teller County looking at the mountain. She now wants to race it in the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, an invitation-only event that she says CHCA races help her build a portfolio for.
“Hopefully I can finally, instead of staring at that mountain and driving up it slowly, I can actually go up it fast,” said Feagin.
It will take at least another season of races, adding to her list of completed events, showing that she can improve her times, and make it to the top of a course. Over the winter Feagin plans to rebuild much of the S-10, and take off the previous owner’s extensive sticker collection.
“[We’ll] do hot pink in the front and ombre it to the white, and get rid of the green that's on there currently, and make it hot pink–so people know that they just got passed by a girl,” said Feagin, laughing.
“Whether I pass them or not.”
At the race weekend on Lands End Feagin was the only woman competing in the field of 50 drivers. She said wants to be an example that any driver, male or female, can get into motorsports.
“I’m not saying it’s not difficult — and it’s not easy — but it’s doable,” said Feagin.
Setting her 18-month-old son, Sawyer, on the hood of her truck, she talks with her dad Jeff and brother Christopher about tire pressure in each of their vehicles, and the dusty, loose quality of the course.
“I was 49 before I took the green flag in my life, waited way too long to do it, should’ve gotten into it way sooner,” said Jeff Feagin, who has been racing with his family the last six years. His hill climb vehicle is a Camaro, the first car he drove as a teenager.
Christopher Feagin races a mean-looking black and orange dirt bike that matches his Subaru WRX, which was tucked behind the family’s pit. Each driver’s pit area is a combination of campsite and mobile garage, lining the edges of a few dirt parking lots. The sage and juniper breaks up any chance of a perfectly organized row.
The Feagin’s say camping out with other families is just as fun as the driving. Kids take laps through the pits and stop to look at each race car. Competitors, meanwhile, share tools, food and company — only keeping the best racing lines to themselves.
Type of story: News
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
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