Sadly, not the challenge it used to be, they paved it right up to the summit in 2011.
Pete
Damn
If they were real racers, they'd race DOWN the hill
Probably a bit safer going down as the really big fall offs are on the way up. You would need darn good brakes coming down at speed though, you'd almost certainly boil the fluid on most road cars . Pikes Peak is a road that anyone can drive up for $12 per person, well worth it as the views are quite amazing. The peak itself is at 14,100 feet and when I went in late June a few years ago it was absolutely freezing with fresh snow. Although the drive to the top and back is only around 40 miles there's a sign at the entrance saying "no gas available, do not enter unless you have at least half a tank of gas", yes, its that steep!
Pete
Maybe I'm missing something, but wouldn't the offs be in the same place if they ran the current course in the opposite direction?
Strategically the fastest way down would be with a very large parachute, fast and furious style