Second-generation all-terrainer sets a new benchmark for production SUVs at the iconic Colorado Hillclimb.

Sebastien Loeb is yet to have a crack at the outright Pikes Peak hillclimb record in his wild Peugeot 208 T16, but Land Rover has already set a benchmark by posting the fastest time for production-ready SUVs.

American competition and stunt driver Paul Dallenbach punted the new 5.0-litre supercharged Range Rover Sport up the 19.99km ascent in 12 minutes 35.61 seconds – an average speed of 95.23km/h through the course’s 156 corners (many of which have perilous drop-offs).

The time attack starts just beyond the treeline at 2860m above sea level and culminates at the 4300m high finish line, where the air contains just 58 per cent of the oxygen it does at sea level, diminishing engine performance and blunting human physical and mental performance.

“There’s no margin for error at Pikes Pike – you only need to misjudge one of those 156 turns and you’re into the trees or over the edge of the mountain,” said Dallenbach.

“To take on this place the way I did today, you need complete confidence in your vehicle, and the Range Rover Sport sure gave me that – it’s fast, responsive and agile.

“I was able to place the car exactly where I wanted it on the road to keep to the optimum high-speed lines through corners. This is a hugely capable vehicle and I’m proud to have been part of demonstrating that by setting a new Pikes Peak record.”

According to Land Rover’s press bumpf, the record was independently timed and sanctioned by PPIHC (Pikes Peak International Hill Climb), organisers of the annual competition at the Colorado venue.

The 375kW Range Rover Sport used for the record-setting climb was allegedly bog-standard, with the exception of a roll cage and harness seatbelts to meet racing safety requirements.

Taking inspiration from Peugeot’s legendary Climbdance video, which vividly documents Ari Vatanen’s 1988 record in the 405 T16, Land Rover also plans to release a short documentary film – said to be the first in the so-called ‘The Driven Challenges’ series.

First run in 1916, Pikes Peak is the USA’s second-oldest motorsport event, with some of America’s most famous racing drivers – Mario Andretti, Bobby Unser, Rick Mears, and Al Unser – having won the competition.

Internationally acclaimed rally drivers such as Michele Mouton, Ari Vatanen, Per Eklund and Stig Blomqvist have also succumbed to the lure of Pikes Peak.

The current outright course record is 9 minutes 46.164 seconds, set by Rhys Millen last year in the Time Attack division in a production-based but radically modified Hyundai Genesis Coupe.

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Finishing up my second week on Need for Speed.  The driving has been pretty intense but a lot of fun.  A few more days on this part in northern California .

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Hyundai And Rhys Millen Racing Renew Pikes Peak Hill Climb Motorsports Partnership To Defend 2012 Record In New Rear-Drive Hyundai

Six-time champion Paul Dallenbach Will Drive Millen’s Genesis Coupe That Set All-Time Record of 9:46.164 Last Year In A Brand New Partnership

 

Colorado Springs, January 14——– It’s 13 degrees in Colorado Springs today, but the news that Pikes Peak International Hill Climb record-holder Rhys Millen will return for the 91st running of America’s second-oldest motor sports race warmed things up at the event’s headquarters.

Millen will enter the Unlimited division, which now has 11 entries. The full field will be announced in two weeks by the Colorado Springs Sports Corporation.

Hyundai has announced its renewed partnership with Rhys Millen Racing (RMR) to defend its 2012  record in the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb (PPIHC). This years’ race to the internationally-renowned summit of America’s Mountain is set for June 30.

The event was recently named seventh among the world’s toughest motor sports race by the site jalopnik.com

On June 30, Hyundai will expand its presence at Pikes Peak with a two-car effort, with Millen piloting a new, purpose-built unlimited class rear-drive racecar joined by the production-based Genesis Coupe that set last years’ all-time record to the peak (9:46.164). This auto will be piloted by Pikes Peak veteran star Paul Dallenbach (Basalt, Colorado), who has won six times on the Peak in the past in the Open Wheel division, sponsored by Famous Dave’s Barbeque and the Double Eagle Casino.

   Paul Dallenbach

“We’re certainly proud to renew our successful partnership with Rhys Millen Racing to take on the unique challenge of international motorsports known as Pikes Peak,” said Steve Shannon, vice president, marketing, Hyundai Motor America. “Last year’s all-time world record, set by Millen in the production-based Genesis Coupe, was a defining milestone in Hyundai’s quest to build thrilling and durable rear-drive performance vehicles that are as capable on the road as they are in the rigors of competitive motorsport.”

TWO-CAR EFFORT

For 2013, Millen will produce and drive an all-new, ultra-lightweight, purpose-built racecar using major power train components from Hyundai’s production-based Lambda engine family in the Unlimited division. This power train is expected to produce over 900 h.p. and 800 ft. lbs. of torque, while still making significant use of production components including the block, cylinder heads, bearings and engine accessories. The racecar chassis will be enveloped by a Genesis Coupe-like silhouette to compete in the unlimited class. This no-holds-barred racer will be accompanied by last years’ world-record-setting, production-based Genesis Coupe in the Time Attack 2WD class, driven by Dallenbach. RMR is a truly unique racing firm, one of the very few which successfully conceptualizes, fabricates, tests, tunes, and most importantly, drives its vehicles in motorsports competition. In fact, the world-record-setting Genesis Coupe is the exact same production-based coupe that Millen successfully drifted in the Formula Drift competitive series, a testament to both the extreme durability of Hyundai engineering as well as the tuning versatility of the RMR team.

HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA

Hyundai Motor America, headquartered in Costa Mesa, Calif., is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Co. of Korea. Hyundai vehicles are distributed throughout the United States by Hyundai Motor America and are sold and serviced through more than 820 dealerships nationwide. All Hyundai vehicles sold in the U.S. are covered by the Hyundai Assurance program, which includes the 5-year/60,000-mile fully transferable new vehicle warranty, Hyundai’s 10-year/100,000-mile power train warranty, and five years of complimentary Roadside Assistance.

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Looking forward to working with Audi to wrap out the year.  Always fun working with Audi because the cars are so awesome to drive.  We will be shooting the S6

SEMA Show Oct 29 – Nov 1.

We will be at Lands End Hill Climb Sept 29 & 30.  Wyatt will be driving the Famous Daves BBQ, Double Eagle Hotel & Casino Open Wheeler in the Open Class.  Stop by Famous Daves in Grand Junction Friday the 28th between 3 and 6.

Had a big one at Pikes Peak when the throttle hung up on the car.  I was airlifted to the hospital but I walked out on my own.  The car went off about 125 mph knocking down 5 trees.  I was a little dazed, few stitches and lots of bruising.  The drivers Cockpit held up really well and I thank Kevin Kidwell & Leonard Arnold  for that.  Also would like to Thanks Famous Daves of Colorado, Continental Tires, Banks Power, Fuel Freedom Foundation, RVO (Rock Valley Oil), Alpine Bank, Double Eagle Casino, Optima Batteries, PPG, Sunoco Race Fuels, Sign Edge, Vapor Trails and Mike Leary.

Come to Fan Fest Downtown Colorado Springs Aug 10, then stay for the race Aug 12th.  Help support the community.