2010 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb Challenge: A Tale of Two Extremes

Pikes Peak International Hill Climb Competition

The Race to the Clouds

Ever seen the video of Ari Vatanen tackling treacherous turns in his Peugeot up a hill with sheer drops in the background?

If you have, then you’ll know the half asphalt-half unpaved road was on Pikes peak in Colorado Springs as part of the Pikes Peak International hill climb in 1988. The Pikes peak International hill climb is a treacherous climb of 1439 metres over 156 turns for 19.99kms. It’s called the race to the clouds. This year, Pikes Peak International Hill Climb (PPIHC) will take place on June 27, 2010

Now, Hyundai have teamed up with Rhys Millen Racing to produce a special car for this summer’s event hoping it will smash the current record! And the car they have come up with is a RMR Hyundai Genesis PM580. With a target weight of 1,850 pounds, it is powered by a 3.8-liter Hyundai Lambda turbocharged V6 stroked to 4.1 liters. Although Hyundai did not give specifics, they will be looking to extract a bit more than 700hp, with a good power to weight ratio needed to tackle the mountain in record time.

The Korean racer has a carbon-fiber aerodynamic body with an active rear wing and front and rear diffusers. It also will use an active center differential. “This differential will allow a 10-100 percent torque split to the front wheels,” said Hyundai. Other details on the racing Genesis include a chromoly frame and roll cage, a Weismann semi-automatic AWD transmission, Tilton racing clutch, carbon-fiber Brembo brakes and pads and Toyo Proxy tires.

The challenger for the 10 minute barrier

Well, it certainly looks like this package can break the ten minute barrier!

And on the other extreme, Audi comes out and says they will send a TTS up the peak as well, only without a driver behind the wheel! The car will rely purely on electronics and this is a joint project between Audi, The Electronic Research Laboratory in California and Stanford University. Trying to prove to the skeptical consumers that the amount of electronics in the car are safe and can be trusted, Audi clearly stated that they are not trying to eliminate the need for a driver or take the fun out of driving. They hope to send the car as early as late this year.

Audi TTS Solar Orange: Techie marvel or soon to be pile of metal?

What a world we live in. On one hand, we have a bunch of guys trying to get up the hill, the fastest in a LeMans styled car and on the other we have someone trying to show, you can get up there without driving at all. I guess what they say is true, the geek shall indeed inherit the earth.

Image courtesy: Jeff Glucker

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