2009 Pikes Peak Challenge

[shakespeare]

A UK team is aiming to be the first to beat the ten-minute barrier at the Pike's Peak hillclimb in Colorado.



Essex-based Mach 2 Racing has developed its own version of the Ford RS200 rally car. Apart from the huge wings required to generate sufficient downforce in the thin air of Pike's Peak (the course starts at 9440 feet and finishes 12 miles and 156 corners later at 14,110 feet), it looks fairly conventional as RS200s go. But it isn't really.

The heavily turbocharged engine has been modified so that it produces maximum power of 950bhp on regular fuel, while injections of nitrous oxide gas (contained in a 70-litre tank) boost this to an extraordinary 1150bhp. The Avon tyres have to cope not only with this but with a mixture of road surfaces - the course is asphalt to begin with but changes to gravel as it climbs.

The RS200 is owned by businessman Alan Greenwood and will be driven by Mark Rennison, winner of the British Rallycross Championship in 1987 and 1988. Rennison will have just one shot at bring the Pike's Peak record to Britain this Sunday (July 19).

British Pike's Peak Challenge | Road Tests, Auto Features

[Source: CARkeys ]

[kmh001]

Good story Shakes, especially for those who haven't had the pleasure of watching Ari Vatanen's epic assault on Pikes Peak in 1988. This is one of those all-time classic pieces of driving skill mixed with humongous gonads that every car enthusiast should see.

Have a close look at 3.30 and 3.50.

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[shakespeare]

Great Vid kmh

He was one of the best drivers around, now a politician in the European parliament!

Into the sun at those speeds - that's some legendary driving! I'm looking forward to seeing how the RS200 goes!

[shakespeare]

Update:

Pikes Peak 2009 news - Four in a row for Monster - 2009 - BBC Top Gear

21 July 2009 - 10:00
Four in a row for Monster
Nobuhiro 'Monster’ Tajima is still king of the hill.

The Suzuki legend has taken his fourth consecutive Pikes Peak hillclimb title in his 873bhp SX4, fending off a challenge from Marcus Gronholm in an 800bhp Fiesta to complete the 12.42-mile run in 10 minutes 15.368 seconds.

That's seriously quick stuff, although not quick enough to beat Monster's course record of 10:01.408, set back in 2007. Weather didn't help his efforts to break the 10-minute barrier, with rain and lightning delaying the start out on the hill.

Gronholm crossed the line in 11:28.963, but looked set to go close to Monster's record after storming the first two sectors. However, his Fiesta's turbo went bang just a couple of miles from the top of the hill, the Ford crossing the line down on power... and on fire.

The second Fiesta, driven by rally champion Andreas Eriksson, crashed out on a tarmac section after heavy rain.

Rhys Millen - son of Pikes Peak legend Rod Millen and famous in his own right as the man who very nearly backflipped a truck - set a new class record in the two-wheel-drive class, clocking 12:09.397 in his Hyundai Genesis Coupe.

Millen promised to return in the ‘Unlimited' class next year to challenge the Monster. Can he defeat Tajima? Can anyone?

[Source: TopGear UK]

[Wardski]

The more I see this Hyundai Genesis, the more I'm liking that rear wheel drive action..


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[TheJunglist]

Good story Shakes, especially for those who haven't had the pleasure of watching Ari Vatanen's epic assault on Pikes Peak in 1988. This is one of those all-time classic pieces of driving skill mixed with humongous gonads that every car enthusiast should see.

Have a close look at 3.30 and 3.50.

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i know that clip well!!! :P hehe he has balls of steel and yeah u r right he comes way close to the edge on those 2 occasions. hats off to his skills!!!

[rfzd]

Frak I love those 405's! Mid engine mounted race car of awesomness!