Pikes Peak International Hill Climb chairman Bob Gillis is so confident about the future of his organization's event, he's already printed tickets for the 2022 race.

At a news conference Tuesday at El Pomar Carriage Museum at The Broadmoor, Gillis smiled as he presented members of the media with official press passes for what would be the 100th "Race to the Clouds."

But Gillis has reason to be encouraged about the fate of the Hill Climb.

On Tuesday, PPIHC announced a new partnership with the Colorado Springs Sports Corp., a local organization that promotes the interests of amateur athletes around the region.

"The Hill Climb is a part of the DNA of this community, and we will be proud to help and be a part of it," Tom Osborne, president and CEO of The Sports Corp., said at the announcement.

The Sports Corp. will support the Hill Climb with several non-race day programs, including media assistance, publicity, accreditation and sponsor fulfillment.

"It's just going to help us do things more professionally," Gillis said. "They are an alliance with a great publications and outreach department, and we currently just have one overworked media person."

In recent years, PPIHC has faced increasing operation costs and a lack of sponsorship that caused many to question the sustainability of the race. Next year's race date was set for a Sunday, as it was this year, on July 19.

"I think we had kind of the kick in the butt that we needed, and it really got rid of a little complacency that we had," Gillis said. "We're confident that they will provide us with the support we need to make this race even better."

Although race organizers say the alliance with the Sports Corp. will not alter the Hill Climb, the nation's second-oldest motorsports event will face another challenge in 2009. With the roadway to the top of Pikes Peak scheduled to be completely paved in less than three years, motorists will see more pavement in 2009.

"They're saying that at least a mile and a half of the road will be paved by the time we race next year, and maybe more," Gillis said. "There are going to be wider tires and cars lower to the ground, and definitely some faster times."