1st and 2nd days of practice are in the books.

Sébastien Loeb is leading the charge in practice both days. http://www.autoblog.com/2013/06/25/2013-pikes-peak-hill-climb-practice-day-1/

Entries this year were limited to 150 slots. This number of applicants was achieved back in February of this year. I'd say the paving has not had a significant negative impact on interest and in fact seems to be pushing it higher than ever. Media teams from 20 nations have descended on Colorado Springs to document the 91st running of The Race To The Clouds.

The Peak has also already consumed its first piece of motorized mayhem: http://jalopnik.com/heres-whats-left-of-cody-lovelands-crashed-1000hp-pi-574109868