142 replies to this topic

[V3TT3L]

http://www.ppihc.com/
http://en.wikipedia....onal_Hill_Climb

The Pikes Peak International Hill Climb is the second oldest motor sports race in America - after the Indy 500 - and a long-standing tradition in Colorado Springs and the Pikes Peak Region. First competed in 1916 and this year marks the 91st running of the “Race to the Clouds.”

The race is run on a 12.42 mile course with 156 turns that begins at 9,390 feet and finishes at the 14,110 foot summit of America’s Mountain; Pikes Peak! As the drivers climb toward the summit, the thin air slows reflexes and saps muscle strength. The thin air also robs engines of 30% of their power at the summit. Competitors and vehicles must be in top shape simply to finish…let alone win!

After Monster Tajima broke the 10 min barrier [9:51.278] in the last pavement gravel edition in 2011, 2013 will hold the second all pave edition.
The current record is 09:46.164 and was set by Rhys Millen in 2012.





*** Special Guest ***


Peugeot 208 T16 Pikes Peak driven by Sebastien Loeb

Power is provided by a twin-turbo 3.2-liter V6 engine that develops 875 bhp (652 kW). It is connected to a six-speed sequential transmission and an all-wheel drive system that enables the 875 kg (1,929 lb) race car to accelerate from 0-100 km/h in just 1.8 seconds, 0-125mph takes 4.8 seconds and it'll hit its 150mph top speed in just seven seconds flat.
Pressurised dampers, double wishbones and pushrod/rocker arm actuation at all corners, torsion bars, anti-roll bars all round, and vented carbon brake discs front and rear - measuring in at 380mm (f) and 355mm ® - hiding behind 18in magnesium alloy wheels "derived from F1 technology".



Test at Mont Ventoux [yes, the Tour de France one]

Edited by V3TT3L, 17 May 2013 - 04:59.

[jonpollak]

Very nicely done V3

I went years ago,1986, when Mom lived in Co Springs .
Bobby Unser in an Audi won
We all laughed, saying it was fixed.
Very dusty for spectators !!!!

Jp

[4MEN]

Power is provided by a twin-turbo 3.2-liter V6 engine that develops 875 bhp (652 kW). H6I[/url]

That would be a nice F1 engine.

[V3TT3L]

We all laughed, saying it was fixed.

How so... he took a shortcut to the top ?

The Batcave maybe

Anyway, IMO the old PP was really a challenge.
You start the race in the pavement with gravel tires and shred it all before hitting the gravel itself, so you have to avoid the cliffs with slick tires and make it to the end.
I think there is a lot of time to be lost on tires choices.

Edited by V3TT3L, 17 May 2013 - 14:55.

[jimbox01]

We drove up Pikes Peak in 2010, unfortunately they hadn't cleared the snow for the last couple of miles so couldn't make it to the top.

I would love to go back when the race is on though - the climb up at race speeds must be just mental.

[Chick0]

Seb testing.

[prommer]

Monster Tajima's onboard from his 2011 run is pretty much the most thrilling 10 minutes available on YouTube:



Also, Indycar fans note: Simon Pagenaud will be driving this for Honda this year.

[One]

Monster Tajima's onboard from his 2011 run is pretty much the most thrilling 10 minutes available on YouTube:



Also, Indycar fans note: Simon Pagenaud will be driving this for Honda this year.

Privateer vs Peugeot-RedBull cash.

For once, I hope Loeb will lose for a good of the sport.

[Victor_RO]

Also, Romain Dumas came close to winning last year in a Porsche 997 GT3-R with some crazy additional aero, this year he'll be back in, of all things, a Norma hillclimb prototype lookalike.

[V3TT3L]

Mitsubishi has announced the entry of a pair of all-electric MiEV Evolution II race cars in to the 2013 Pikes Peak hill climb with drivers Hiroshi Masuoka [two-time Dakar Rally overall champion] and Greg Tracy [six-time PPIHC motorcycle winner].

Both MiEV Evolution II racers employ a quartet of electric motors (last year's car used just three), and output has been increased from 280 kilowatts (375 horsepower) up to 400 KW (536 hp).
Super All-Wheel Control system, as well as a two-front/two-rear four-motor drivetrain, in order to improve the car's performance.

[dgsg]

"Climb Dance", best PP video, period!

[EightGear]

Loeb will trash everyone, he is one of the best drivers of all time.

[whitewaterMkII]

Probably the last scream for truly unlimited racecars.
Open Class means exactly that.
The test vid tells me two things, it's a one off screamer of an engine, and it ain't running on pump fuel. The idle sounds like it's set at about 3000 rpm.

[superstring]

"Climb Dance", best PP video, period!

I was there in 1988 when that video was made and Ari Vatanen broke the existing record. They had stopped the race for half an hour because of a snow storm (!!) and when it resumed the unpaved portion was MUD!! My wife and friends and I were standing at the last hair-pin before the finish line and when Ari came up I couldn't believe how fast he was going!! I thought for sure he was going to fly off into space, but at the last moment he threw the car sideways, drifted through the corner and then, bang, he was gone to set a new record! It gives me goose bumps just remembering!

I'll be there again this June on the 25th anniversary of Peugeot's win. And Loeb! What can I say?! Can't wait!


BTW, I don't want to burst anyone's bubble or diminish the enjoyment of the video, but "Climb Dance" was assembled from a collection of clips from the previous practice days, not race day.

Edited by superstring, 19 May 2013 - 23:11.

[OfficeLinebacker]

This is one of the most epic, enduring races of the year, and all history!

[ViMaMo]

Seb+Pikes Peak+875bhp car = EPIC !!!

[V3TT3L]

http://www.pistonhea.../news/27684.htm





61-year-old New Zealander Rod Millen will pilot an updated version of the Radical-based Toyota EV P002.
Some of the updates are under the skin, such as the beefier electric motors and tweaked powertrain; others – we’re looking at the ruddy great spoiler Toyota Motorsport GmbH has planted on the nosecone here – are a tad more obvious.
Those new motors chuck out a total of 544hp and a not-inconsiderable 884lb ft torque, a rather healthy increase over the 476hp and 664lb ft of last year's car.

[TailG]

No gravel at all these days? Boo.

[Ellios]

"Climb Dance", best PP video, period!

OMFG! Talk about goosebumps! Not seen that before, thanks for sharing

Sébastien Loeb - that Peugeot is amazing!

[motorhead]

"Climb Dance", best PP video, period!

Ari Vatanen and Peugeot, crazy stuff

[One]

Mitsubishi has announced the entry of a pair of all-electric MiEV Evolution II race cars in to the 2013 Pikes Peak hill climb with drivers Hiroshi Masuoka [two-time Dakar Rally overall champion] and Greg Tracy [six-time PPIHC motorcycle winner].

Both MiEV Evolution II racers employ a quartet of electric motors (last year's car used just three), and output has been increased from 280 kilowatts (375 horsepower) up to 400 KW (536 hp).
Super All-Wheel Control system, as well as a two-front/two-rear four-motor drivetrain, in order to improve the car's performance.

Ah,..

[V3TT3L]

Here is the 1987 battle among another great rally driver Walter Rohrl in a Audi S1 vs Ari Vattanen in a Peugeot 205 T16

[Bob Riebe]

Ah,..

No they sound more like a soprano mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm....

Edited by Bob Riebe, 18 May 2013 - 19:53.

[evo]

What happened to Millen's Redbull sponsorship last year? The logo is a lot smaller

2011:

[krapmeister]

Call it a hunch, but I think Loeb's Peugeot probably got that Red Bull cash...

[Ali_G]

It's a real pity that the vent is now gone all tarmac. The mix of tarmac and gravel was a great part of the lore of this event.

[pingu666]

yeah, i think thats what helped keep unlimited so crazy for so long too, and not be regulated into the ground

[canon1753]

How would an indycar or f1 car do at Pikes Peak? Back in the mid60's Mario Andretti ran pike peak with a Lotus 24 with a Chevy V8. I hope the all Tarmac Pike Peak doesn't kill the event.

[pingu666]

a naturaly aspirated f1 car would lose alot of performance going up the hill ?

[V3TT3L]

a naturaly aspirated f1 car would lose alot of performance going up the hill ?

30%

[evo]

Call it a hunch, but I think Loeb's Peugeot probably got that Red Bull cash...

I was referring to 2012 compared to 2011. Naturally the Loeb entry this year is enough RB marketing juice to keep everyone (apart from Millen most likely) happy.

[V3TT3L]

Pikes Peak Superstar Rod Millen Will Drive Revised Toyota TMG EV P002 In Bid To Win Electric Auto Division at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb

[pingu666]

wonder how much downforce those wings give you

[V3TT3L]

wonder how much downforce those wings give you

DC used to say that his RedBull could run upside down at 200 Km/h, which means 750kg.

Since these wing are way bigger, my guestimate is around 1 Ton at the same speed

[Otaku]

DC used to say that his RedBull could run upside down at 200 Km/h, which means 750kg.

Since these wing are way bigger, my guestimate is around 1 Ton at the same speed

I would say way more than that. Those things are HUUUUUUUUUUUUGE.

Also, do these cars use ground effect?

[whitewaterMkII]

I would say way more than that. Those things are HUUUUUUUUUUUUGE.

Also, do these cars use ground effect?

Unlimited, means unlimited.
ya run what ya brung
probably too rough to make use of skirts and so forth, but I wouldn't be surprised to see some under body aero in use in some cars

[krapmeister]

wonder how much downforce those wings give you

DC used to say that his RedBull could run upside down at 200 Km/h, which means 750kg.

Since these wing are way bigger, my guestimate is around 1 Ton at the same speed

I would say way more than that. Those things are HUUUUUUUUUUUUGE.

Also, do these cars use ground effect?

The triple element rear wing on a Top Fuel dragster apparently produces about 5 tonnes of downforce at top speed (about 330mph) so yeah, although the speeds are a lot lower I reckon those would produce way more than just 1 tonne...

[theblackangus]

Im excited Im going to the event this year!
Anyone help me out with where the good spectator seating is?

[noikeee]

How is this even allowed these days, unlimited prototype cars on a tarmac street course next to giant cliffs? Imagine that monster Peugeot has a massive shunt, what next?

Don't get me wrong that thing looks BRILLIANT, but I can't help but be wary of the consequences. Also Peugeot is getting a giant PR boost with this, this will lure other manufacturers or big operations into this in the next few years, I am sure of that. Which further begs the question of what happens when things go wrong and a lot of eyes are on this.

[DrProzac]

The triple element rear wing on a Top Fuel dragster apparently produces about 5 tonnes of downforce at top speed (about 330mph) so yeah, although the speeds are a lot lower I reckon those would produce way more than just 1 tonne...

This wing would give ~715 kg at 200 km/h (assuming constant lift coefficient)

Edited by DrProzac, 30 May 2013 - 15:10.

[V3TT3L]

Also, do these cars use ground effect?

Let's hope nobody rolls over to find it out

Most of F1 downforce is generated by the floor/diffuser these days.
Just look how competitive Alonso was in Bahrein with a broken wing.

[superstring]

Im excited Im going to the event this year!
Anyone help me out with where the good spectator seating is?

25 years ago, we stood at the last hairpin before the summit/finish line. You get a fantastic view of the cars coming up the mountain for a mile or two (as I remember ;) ). That's where I'm going to be this year.

Where are you coming from, blackangus?

Edited by superstring, 30 May 2013 - 20:07.

[Andrew Hope]

I heard Simon Pagenaud wanted to run a DW12 up the mountain but the organizers said no .

[DrProzac]

Also, do these cars use ground effect?

Sure. All of them have huge diffuses or some of them probably even venturi channels. GEs are a must

Edited by DrProzac, 30 May 2013 - 18:35.

[theblackangus]

25 years ago, we stood at the last hairpin before the summit/finish line. You get a fantastic view of the cars coming up the mountain for a mile or two (as I remember ). That's where I'm going to be this year.

Where are you coming from, blackangus? .

I'm going to fly out from Des Moines, IA.
Where are you heading in from?


Thanks for the tip!

Edited by theblackangus, 31 May 2013 - 00:52.

[HaydenFan]

How is this even allowed these days, unlimited prototype cars on a tarmac street course next to giant cliffs? Imagine that monster Peugeot has a massive shunt, what next?

Don't get me wrong that thing looks BRILLIANT, but I can't help but be wary of the consequences. Also Peugeot is getting a giant PR boost with this, this will lure other manufacturers or big operations into this in the next few years, I am sure of that. Which further begs the question of what happens when things go wrong and a lot of eyes are on this.

You crash, if the builders did their job (which for a big company like Peugeot Sport they more than likely did), you climb out of the car, dust yourself off, and hope that the team brought a backup, otherwise it's a long flight home.

[V3TT3L]

I'm going to fly out from Des Moines, IA.
Where are you heading in from?


Thanks for the tip!

I think you are talking to superstring.

[noikeee]

You crash, if the builders did their job (which for a big company like Peugeot Sport they more than likely did), you climb out of the car, dust yourself off, and hope that the team brought a backup, otherwise it's a long flight home.

Fair enough... that shunt reminds me of Latvala in WRC Portugal 2 or 3 years ago.

There must be a limit somewhere when cars being too quick become too dangerous though.

[superstring]

I'm going to fly out from Des Moines, IA.
Where are you heading in from?


Thanks for the tip!

You're welcome! My wife and I hail from Victoria, BC. We're flying in from Seattle. Maybe we'll see you there

[GBarclay]

The last of the true unlimited racing events. A pioneering event when it was first run, and still is today. A very special place to be when the sun comes up, and the cars are ripping up the hill during practice.

The challenge of this event cannot be over stated. From an exhausting schedule even if you avoid mechanical issues during practice and qualy, to just one run at speed on race day in conditions that could include snow, rain, hail, and sun all within 10 minutes. Paving the road has sure changed the event, it certainly has made it more difficult, with a narrower road allowing less margin for error, and higher speeds increasing the existing danger. Those who treat the mountain with respect may be fortunate to see the checker flag on race day, a finish is something to be proud of for life.

Blame the paved road on the Sierra Club who sued the city of Colorado Springs to pave the road because of run off issues. Many feared for the survival of the race, but if entry numbers the last few years are any indication the interest in participating in a true "bucket list" event is at an all time high. It does mean we will see an increasing variety of cars now you don't need a compromise dirt/pavement setup, definitely attractive to great GT cars in Time Attack and to LMP style cars in unlimited.

If you attend, make sure to take in Fan Fest Friday night downtown. Be warned, Race Day is a very long day on the mountain, be adequately prepared for all conditions, drink plenty of liquids not just beer, sunscreen up, and cheer loudly for you favorite drivers and cars. The bikes are a whole level of crazy.

Feel free to stop past Time Attack #199 to say hello.