The 2017 Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb has been run and won with Unlimited class driver Romain Dumas taking his third overall PPIHC win. Behind the wheel of his 2017 Norma MXX RD Limited, the Frenchman posted a 9:05.672 ascent up the Peak, some 27 seconds clear of the next quickest car. As always though, it was the Time Attack 1 class that provided some of the most exciting racing, and once again Rhys Millen was leading the charge
For the 95th running of the world famous motorsport event in Colorado, Rhys stepped back into his 2012 Hyundai Genesis Coupe and went maximum attack up the 12.42-mile, 156-turn course to Pikes Peak’s 14,115ft summit. And this time around, Will Roegge was there to capture the raw action from a camera affixed to Rhys’ helmet.
What does it look like to take the Time Attack 1 class victory in a time of 9:47.427? Select 4K resolution and hit play above to find out.
Brad Lord
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brad@speedhunters.com
After about the 2/3 mark, it looked like he was really struggling to put the power down effectively. Through the lower half of the gears there didn't seem to be as much grip for the rear tires, you can see him struggling with the wheel and how the engine just revs so fast when he feeds in the throttle.
Well, it's only normal that a 700hp car would get dangerous once the tires are warm, especially (and mainly) on hill climbing. The Pike Peaks course has a lot of hairpin-like turns, and, obviously enough, they require to lower the speed all the way down to first gear, then accelerate up to whichever speed atainable without dying on the next corner, then braking again... Touge-like courses are often very demanding on the tires, especially for RWD cars. Must be scary as hell to feel the rear tires slip while travelling at 70 km/h after a corner exit, all that with a huge cliff right next to you.
Me in the yellow vest at 10:33-10:34
Why the clutch pedal?...
You need it when initially starting the car and to get it rolling out of first gear.
Epic article incoming woop!