Alex Kim: Pikes Peak, Audi Loyalty, and the Art of the IMSA Tribute Car

In this episode of All Wheel Driven, host Joe Kucinski welcomes Audi Club member, Pikes Peak competitor, and Audi enthusiast Alex Kim for a conversation that goes far beyond horsepower figures and lap times. Alex shares the story of his lifelong connection to the Audi brand, the role the enthusiast community has played in that journey, and what inspired him to tackle one of motorsport’s greatest challenges—the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. Drawing on Audi’s storied history on the mountain, including the legendary Audi Sport quattro S1 and the Group B era, the discussion explores the unique demands of racing to the summit, the lessons Alex learned from his 2025 run, and how he is preparing for an even stronger effort in 2026. The episode also takes a deep dive into Alex’s remarkable IMSA tribute Audi, a build inspired by the brand’s racing heritage and designed to blend period-correct style with modern performance. Alex discusses the vision behind the project, the engineering challenges involved, and the technical details that transformed the car into a unique expression of Audi motorsport culture. Along the way, the conversation examines the future of Audi performance in an increasingly electrified world, the importance of preserving racing history, and why enthusiast-built projects continue to inspire new generations of Audi owners. Together, the episode offers an engaging look at the passion, craftsmanship, and community that define the Audi experience. ==========================EPISODE CHAPTERS:00:00 Intro00:18 Intro To Our Speakers00:59 Who Is Alex Kim?05:57 What Was Alex's First Purchased Audi?07:07 What Draws Alex to Audis?09:10 How Is The Audi Community?14:34 What Special Prep Was Needed Before Pikes?18:03 Breaking Down How They Make the Replica Audi S1s20:00 How Involved Was Alex with the Build?21:07 What Is It Like Racing Up Pikes Peak?23:23 Is There Comradery Between Teams at Pikes?24:28 Some of the Cool Experiences Alex Had25:59 Pikes Peak 2026: What is Changing?27:19 Alex Hasn't Run the Complete Course Yet??29:44 Let's Talk About the IMSA GTO31:01 What Upgrades to the IMSA GTO?34:05 Alex's Thoughts on Modern Audis40:45 Is Racing Heritage Preservation Important?42:06 Does Alex Hope He Inspires Others?44:47 Alex's Final Thoughts46:00 Goodbye Alex==========================All-Wheel Driven is presented by XPEL, the official paint protection film of Audi Club North America. Subscribe and connect with @audiclubna for exclusive Audi content.==========================Not yet a member of Audi Club North America? Join the world's largest community of Audi owners and enthusiasts and unlock benefits including:Discounts on Audi parts, accessories, and new or leased vehiclesAward-winning quarterly magazine (quattro)Exclusive driving events, clinics, and track experiencesA network of 32 chapters across North AmericaAnd much more!Learn more and join today: https://audiclubna.org