VIDEO // JEFF ZWART'S PRE-PPIHC PORSCHE PRACTICE

Jeff Zwart, a commercial film director from Woody Creek, Colorado, drove a Porsche 911 GT3 Cup in the 2WD Time Attack class at this years Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. Zwart, who had technical support from Porsche Motorsport North America and Pirelli Tires, did a bit of testing before hand and has since released this video from his shakedown run on the Los Coyotes Indian Reservation east of San Diego // [comment]

VIDEO // CLIMB: PIKES PEAK CLIMB WITH A MONSTER

Following on the heels of their wonderful but short look at this years 24 Hours Nürburgring, the gentlemen at Falken Tire have just released yet another video onto the interweb. This time, ride with Nobuhiro "Monster" Tajima and his 910hp, Twin-Turbo, All-wheel Drive, 150 mph Suzuki SX4 as he claims overall victory in the 88th running of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb... for the fifth consecutive time // [comment]

VIDEO // GT3 CLIMB

Our friend and filmmaker, Will Roegge, working with Luminox Watches, Porsche Motorsport North America and Pirelli, has just released this incredible bit of film, what he is calling GT3 CLIMB. The video, which highlights Jeff Zwart's record setting Pikes Peak International Hill Climb run, was directed by Will and filmed with the help of Los Angeles based photographer and videographer, DC Chavez // [comment]

PPIHC // MILLEN'S WORLD RECORD ATTEMPT

On June 27th, Rhys Millen attempted to beat the current 'Unlimited Class' World Record of 10:01.408 at the 88th running of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. At the wheel of his custom built Genesis PM580, a 750hp V6 powered prototype designed specifically for the 12.52 mile course, Millen hoped to break the record set by Nobuhiro Tajima in 2007. The video featured below chronicles Millen's attempt... [read more]



Photo: Autoblog
Video: Red Bull
Editorial: Justin W. Coffey

PPIHC // TAJIMA WINS UNLIMITED CLASS

Although Nobuhiro 'Monster' Tajima was unable to break the illusive ten minute barrier during last weekends 88th running of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, he was able to collect yet another Unlimted Class victory, climbing the 12.42-mile course in just 10:11.490. Rhys Millen, driving his 750hp Hyundai powered PM580, hoped to break the overall record set by Tajima in 2007, but could only muster an 11:06.208 run up the mountain // [comment]

VIDEO // JEFF ZWART'S GT3 CUP CAR @ PIKES PEAK

Last weekend, our friend Will Roegge managed to put a camera inside Jeff Zwart's Porsche GT3 Cup car before qualifying for this years Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. Looking to document the uber competitive 2WD Time Attack Class, Roegge managed to capture Zwart's record setting run of 5:01.642 // [comment]

PPIHC // TAJIMA READY FOR TITLE FIGHT

Although Rhys Millen and his 750hp Hyundai PM580 are getting all of the attention heading into this weekends Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, current overall record holder, Nobuhiro 'Monster' Tajima, is not ready to relinquish the title just yet. Tajima, who snatched the overall record from Millen's father in 2007 with a time of 10:01.408, is looking to break the ten minute barrier this year with the help of his highly modified Suzuki SX4.

Powered by a 910hp twin-turbocharged 3.1-liter V6 that generates roughly 655 lb/ft of torque and weighs a mere 2,425 pounds, Tajima's Suzuki SX4 is certainly the right tool for the job. And, according to Autoblog, Tajima has spent plenty of time in the wind-tunnel fine tuning his Suzuki's shape. Sunday can't come soon enough. Stay tuned for continued PPIHC coverage throughout the weekend! // [comment]

PPIHC // MILLEN'S HYUNDAI PM580 IN THE FLESH

Ahead of this weekends 88th annual Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, Rhys Millen Racing officially unveiled their Hyundai Genesis PM580. Powered by a 750hp 4.1-liter V6, Millen's Hyundai now wears the infamous Red Bull livery in preparation for this weekend's competition. Looking more like a Le Mans Prototype than a hill climb car, Millen hopes to negotiate the 12.42 miles to the top of Pikes Peak in under ten minutes, reclaiming the overall record his father once held for 13 years.

Follow the link for additional images... [read more]





Image(s) and Info: Hyundai
Editorial: Justin W. Coffey

VIDEO // MILLEN'S 750HP HYUNDAI READY FOR PPIHC

Next weekend, Rhys Millen will attempt to break the infamous 10 minute mark at the 88th annual Pikes Peak International Hill Climb (PPIHC). Millen will pilot his newly developed PM580 Pike's Peak Hyundai, a 1,850 pound, 750 horsepower V6 powered monster, designed specifically to conquer the 156 turns to the top of Pikes Peak. The video featured above, which comes to us courtesy of RMR, highlights a recent test session with the PM580 ahead of next weekends hill climb // [comment]

PREVIEW // RHYS MILLEN'S HYUNDAI GENESIS PM580

The guys at HRE Performance Wheels stopped by Rhys Millen Racing to check out the new Hyundai Genesis PM580 Pikes Peak hill climb car. Powered by a Hyundai Genesis V8, the car, which will compete in the Unlimited Class at this years Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, looks more like a Le Mans prototype than your average PPIHC entry. That said, Millen hopes to both recapture the record that his father held for 13 years, as well as be the first to climb the mountain in under ten minutes // [comment]

NEWS // DUCATI WILL RACE TWO MULTISTRADAS @ PPIHC

According to Mike Moran, Senior Media Consultant for the Colorado Springs Sports Corporation, Italian motorcycle manufacturer, Ducati, will enter a pair of Multistrada 1200s in this years Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. According to Mike's email, Team Spider Grips Ducati will field a two bike team with riders Greg Tracy and Alexander Smith. Both riders are no stranger to riding Ducatis up the mountain, having raced the Ducati Hypermotard in 2008, and are enthusiastic about the Multistrada, hoping to put its traction control, ride by wire throttle and other electronic aids to good use.

This will be Ducati’s second attempt to win the prestigious Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, following a 2008 'skunk works' effort (details here) in which Ducati won the 1200cc class with their Hypermotard 1100. This year however, Ducati has organized an official effort surrounding the new Multistrada 1200, and have partnered with Spider Grips of Southern California to run the team // [comment]

HISTORY // THE 1957 PIKES PEAK HILL CLIMB

Just stumbled across this footage from the 1957 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. First held in August of 1916, the PPIHC has seen a wide variety of cars climb the 12.42 miles to the top, including the record setting Saab 9-3 Viggen 4x4 of Per Eklund, the Compact Power ER3 of Jeri Unser, the unstoppable Suzuki XL7 of Nobuhiro Tajima and most recently the 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe of Rhys Millen. Click here for additional information on Pikes Peak and this years hill climb // [comment]

HISTORY // ROD MILLEN'S TOYOTA TACOMA

With the 88th annual Pikes Peak International Hill Climb just a few months away, we thought we'd take a look at one of the more impressive vehicles built exclusively for the Race to the Clouds... [read more]

Say hello to Rod Millen's Toyota Tacoma Pikes Peak. With more than 1,000hp, Millen's pickup truck can run to sixty miles per hour in 1.6 seconds and 125 mph in just 4.9 seconds. That said, the Tacoma is geared to do no more than 132mph (you know, for safety) and was driven by Millen at the 1998 and 1999 PPIHC where he won the Pikes Peak Unlimited class.

Millen's Tacoma was built on a chromoly tubular space frame chassis, which was then wrapped in carbon fiber. Power is derived from the aforementioned 2.1-liter 3S-GTE four cylinder that is both turbocharged and intercooled and is said to produce more than 1,000hp.



In the video featured above, watch as Millen struggles to keep his Toyota Tacoma Pikes Peak on track during the 2007 Goodwood Festival of Speed.

A true monster, it's no wonder Rod's son Rhys is hoping to claim the unlimited class victory this year, having just unveiled his Genesis PM580 Rhys Millen Racing prototype.



Images: Millen Works
Editorial: Justin W. Coffey

PREVIEW // RHYS MILLEN'S PM580 PIKES PEAK PROTOTYPE

Just before the weekend we reported on Rhys Millen's new Pikes Peak Hill Climb entry, what they are calling the Genesis PM580 Rhys Millen Racing prototype. Entered into the Unlimited Class, the PM580 is powered by a 675-750 horsepower, 3.8-liter Lambda V6 engine stroked to 4.1-liters and features a plethora of go-fast bits, to include custom RMR stainless exhaust manifolds, a Weismann semi-automatic AWD transmission and a RMR customer carbon fiber body with front and rear diffusers.

Follow the link for the official press release, specifications and an additional image... [read more]

PRESS RELEASE:

THE RMR HYUNDAI GENESIS PM580

In the world of racing, Unlimited, means “Anything Goes.” Unlike other forms of motorsport (NASCAR, Indy Car, F1, etc.) the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb Unlimited Class gives teams the freedom to create any kind of race car they want to conquer the mountain without restrictions on tires, weight and horsepower. Teams can make their cars as light as possible, with an unlimited amount of horsepower and with whatever braking, drivetrain or suspension package they desire.

With this in mind, Rhys Millen Racing is fabricating a modern Le Mans style car with a target weight of 1,850 pounds powered by a 4.1-liter Hyundai Lambda turbocharged V6 engine. The team feels to have a competitive power-to-weight ratio, the car will need to produce 675 horsepower. Current engine testing shows the engine is capable of producing 750 horsepower, which is more than needed to tackle the mountain.

The car will feature a carbon fiber aerodynamic body with an active rear wing. The wing will create less drag in the straight-aways and more stability in cornering and braking. Active wings are outlawed in other forms of racing.
“We are building a car for today’s road,” said Millen “The car will have a sleek aerodynamic body, the grip of Toyo Proxy tires and the power and durability of a Hyundai engine. This is the package I need to break the record.”

The RMR Hyundai Genesis PM580 will use an active center differential. This differential will allow a 10 to 100 percent torque split to the front wheels. This is important because the course changes from asphalt to dirt multiple times and allows the Genesis PM580 to have more than one set up on the 12.42-mile course. The car will be ideal on the mixed surface at Pikes Peak. The Genesis PM580 address a fundamental reason on perhaps why the 10-minute record has not fallen. Most race cars do not work well on both dirt and asphalt.

SPECIFICATIONS
Chromoly frame and roll cage
Two Quaife differentials
Weismann semi-automatic AWD transmission
Tilton Racing clutch
3.8-liter Lambda V6 engine stroked to 4.1-liters
HKS T04Z turbocharger
Bar and plate intercooler
Custom RMR stainless exhaust manifolds
Carbon fiber Brembo brakes and pads
17-inch HRE wheels
275/40 Toyo rear tires
RMR customer carbon fiber body with front and rear diffusers
Active wing by Aeromotions


Images and Info: 0-60 Magazine
Editorial: Justin W. Coffey

VIDEO // RHYS MILLEN & THE GENESIS PM580

With the 88th annual Pikes Peak International Hill Climb just a few months away, Rhys Millen Racing has released this video highlighting their plans for 2010.

Millen, who set a class record in the two-wheel drive Time Attack class with a 12:09.397 run in his Hyundai Genesis coupe, hopes to take the overall record back from Nobuhiro "Monster" Tajima with a newly prepared car, what they are calling the Genesis PM580... [read more]



Hoping to be the first person to run up the mountain in less than 10 minutes, Millen and his Genesis PM580, what we presume to be a 5.8-liter V8 powered, carbon-fiber clad Hyundai Genesis coupe, is set to unveil his new ride come Monday. In the mean time, listen to Rhys and his father Rod discuss the infamous 'Race to the Clouds.'

Photo: Grady Nguyen
Editorial: Justin W. Coffey

VIDEO // WALTER ROHRL @ PIKES PEAK - 1987

In 1987, Walter Röhrl took the Group B Audi Sport Quattro E2 to the infamous Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. One of the last opportunities for Röhrl to compete in the Group B Audi, the German driver would face off against three Group B Peugeot 205 T16s driven by 1981 World Rally Champion Ari Vatanen, Shektar Mehta and Andrea Zanussi. Follow the link for a look... [read more]



Video: The Rally Channel
Editorial: Justin W. Coffey

DOMESTIC INDULGENCE // THE MERCURY MARAUDER

In 1963, Mercury released a fastback version of their V8 powered sedan, a car they called the Marauder. The following year, Marauder was used to describe both two and four door models of the Monterey, Montclair, and Park Lane using a fastback roofline. Developed for NASCAR competition, the fastback roofline would be used on both the Marauder and Galaxy through 1965... [read more]

Hired by Ford and tasked with bringing Mercury back to stock car racing, Bill Stroppe, who would later become famous for his off-road racing achievements, was given a rather sizable budget and told to "go for it"

Stroppe hired Arkansas native Parnelli Jones, and at the wheel of Mercury's Marauder, the pair went on to see tremendous success during the 1963 and 1964 seasons, capturing eight major stock car wins in '64, as well as stock-car division victories both years at the prestigious Pikes Peak Hillclimb.

The following year, Mercury phased out the Marauder in favor of a smaller, lighter chassis.

Skip ahead to 2003. Looking to rekindle an old flame, FoMoCo released a new iteration of the Marauder. Based on their Panther platform (see Mercury's Grand Marquis and Ford's Crown Victoria) the new Marauder featured a naturally aspirated 4.6-liter DOHC Modular V8 which produced 302hp and 318 lb/ft of torque. Transmission choices were limited to a 4-speed 4R70W automatic which shared parts with the 2003-2004 Mach 1 Mustang and the 2003–2005 Lincoln Aviator SUV.

Considered by many to be nothing more than a dressed up Marquis, the Marauder saw a production run of only 11,052 vehicles. And while we'd agree it is missing something aesthetically, the Marauder stayed true to its roots as an overweight, underpowered, full-size sedan.



For more info on the original Mercury Marauder and its racing pedigree, click here

Images and Info: Great Classic Cars
Editorial: Justin W. Coffey

CLIMB ATTACK // RHYS MILLEN @ PIKES PEAK 2009

Two weeks back, Rhys Millen, son of famed hill climb and off-road racing champion Rod Millen, prepared himself for the 2009 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. At the wheel of his newly developed Hyundai Genesis Coupe, Millen set about conquering the Colorado mountain, in hopes of setting a new world record in the 2WD Time Attack class.

Featured above is Millen's run up the mountain. Directed by Will Roegge, watch as Rhys Millen and his Hyundai Genesis rewrite the history books with a 12:09 run... // [comment]

PIKES PEAK 2009 // GRADY NGUYEN'S RACE DAY PHOTO GALLERY

Last weekend, ColdTrackDays correspondent Grady Nguyen travelled to the tallest state in our union for the 87th annual Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. Set some 14,000 feet up, Grady spent all weekend on the mountain, capturing some of the most exciting images we have seen this year. Follow the link for a look at the just a few of the cars that competed at this years PPIHC... [read more]

A look up the mountain from the PPIHC base camp.

Purpose built hill climb cars are quite the sight, especially when running full speed up Pikes Peak!

A Chevy S-10 pickup running full steam up the mountain. Two-wheel drive cars pose a great deal difficulty on the loose gravel, with drivers constantly fighting to maintain control.

Just a few of the vintage race cars that ran at this years Pikes Peak Hill Climb.

Current world record holder Nobuhiro Tajima prepares to tackle the mountain. While he managed a strong run, he was unable to best his 2007 run of 10:01.408.

While he was unable to take a class win due to a blown turbocharger, the 800bhp Ford Fiesta of WRC champ Marcus Gronholm was certainly a fan favorite.

Rhys Millen was able to collect a class win, taking the top spot in the Unlimited Two-Wheel Drive class with his uber tuned Hyundai Genesis coupe.

For complete results from the 2009 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, click here

Photo: Grady Nguyen
Editorial: Justin Coffey

PEAK PERFORMANCE // GRONHOLM & THE 800HP FIESTA

Shot and edited by Tim Vincent and Scott Richardson, check out this video of World Rally Champion Marcus Gronholm, as he drives Ford's 800bhp Fiesta RallyCross at this years Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. Although Gronholm did finish the climb (unlike teammate Andrea Eriksson), he suffered a blown turbocharger 500 feet from the top which quashed any hopes of collecting a trophy.

Video comes courtesy of MotorTrend via Zack Hughes // [comment]