Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

The elevation of Pikes Peak International Raceway is approximately 5300 feet above sea level, and that elevation puts unique demands on the engines of AMA racebikes, reducing horsepower output and causing overheating problems, according to experts.

The lack of oxygen at the altitude of the track causes engines to lose anywhere from 15-18 percent of their horsepower output.

“When we came here in 2000,” said Attack Kawasaki’s Team Owner/Crew Chief Richard Stanboli, “Our bike (Mark Miller’s Yamaha YZF-R1 Formula Xtreme bike) made 155-157 horsepower when it normally made 180-182 horsepower.”

Kawasaki engine development specialist Theo Lockwood backed up Stanboli’s horsepower loss figures and then pointed out that they also have to deal with the engines running hotter.

“You have a lower boiling point (for water) at higher altitudes, less barometric pressure and less oxygen molecules passing through the radiator to carry away the heat,” said Lockwood.

On the overheating issues, Stanboli added, “The bikes also tend to run hotter due to the track being shorter, and the engines revving harder to make up for the loss in horsepower.”

The factory Kawasaki team has re-installed the original equipment cooling fans on the radiators of Tommy Hayden’s and Roger Lee Hayden’s Ninjas. Stanboli said he will wait to see how Tony Meiring’s and Josh Hayes’ Ninjas deal with the heat before deciding whether or not to re-install the cooling fans, which are normally removed during race prep, to reduce weight.

External cooling fans and blowers are being used by several AMA teams on pit lane at Pikes Peak.

The weather forecast for Fountain, Colorado is calling for average temperatures with highs of approximately 80 degrees F.