Optima Backs Production EVs & V8 BMW E36
Optima Batteries are set to cause a stir at the 101st instalment of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb (PPIHC) through the powering of a selection of rivals with their assortment of battery components, in one way or another.
The organization will be giving Optima Orangetop lithium batteries to several cars, and each of them provides something remarkable. The only ordinary automobile that has this type of device installed is the Rivian R1T, which requires two of such items plus an extra product from Optima. When not in operation, this electric truck will be topped up at a portable Optima Power Station and piloted by Gardner Nichols, a newbie at the legendary Pikes Peak ascent. Although he lacks expertise on this dangerous racecourse, he boasts an impressive array of credentials – such as his stint as a tester for Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (now part of Stellantis) and his current role as senior performance test engineer at Rivian.
Having deliberated over the singular electric Optima entry, we’ll now shift our attention to the alluring alternatives.
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Tanner Foust will take control of the one-off Radford 62-2 Pikes Peak, enhancing the ordinary 600-horsepower, 2,400 pounds design by equipping it with an excess 110 horses and losing nearly 400 pounds. Additionally, this model is characterized by a paddle-shifted sequential transmission instead of the traditional H-pattern manual shifter; allowing this auto to reach 0-60 mph within 2.2 seconds and possess a peak rate of 160 mph. As a comparison, the usual ride accomplishes 0-60 mph velocity in 2.9 seconds hitting a highest speed of 181 mph.
We make sure to be fair, yet this might be one of the most captivating vehicles with wings to tackle the hilltop in 2019.
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It is worth keeping watch on the Wolf TSC-FS open-wheeler that will be steered by Robin Shute. Astonishingly, Robin has accomplished winning the event from 2019 all the way up to 2022, becoming the first British driver to do so. His triumphs are even more extraordinary due to the fact that he only emigrated to the USA in 2011 and he roughly experienced the hill for the first time in 2017. Now, he’s looking to secure his fourth King of the Hill title with a vehicle putting out approximately 600 hp while tipping the scales at circa 1,142 lbs.
The belated Ken Block will be commemorated in spirit at this event by his proud partner, Lucy; however, she is piloting an altogether disparate open-wheeled vehicle which appears better-fitted for dune bashing compared to time attack racing.
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Rhys Millen is a two-time champion of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb and the current holder of two agility records for Bentley vehicles. In 2019, he achieved the quickest time in a standard car at the summit while steering a Bentley Continental GT; this was after holding the production SUV record in 2018 using his Bentayga. This year, he’s back with an inventory vehicle, the BMW M8, but watch out because his aptitude in factory cars could be an impetus. His objective is to set a new record for standard models and, from testing, it appears the M8 could be six seconds faster than anticipated.
Come 2023, it will be the 27th time that 50-year-old competes in Race to the Clouds. It feels like this track is a beloved of his.
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James Clay is back for his fifth Pikes Peak International Hill Climb (PPIHC) and he’s driving BimmerWorld’s E36 BMW 3 Series, “Bergsteiger,” which means mountaineer. Initially, the car was designed to be powered by a 3.0-liter straight-six turbocharged N64 engine with an output of 900 hp. However, BimmerWorld soon realized that the 4.4-liter twin-turbo S63TU engine from the F13 BMW M6 could reach 700 hp with just a flash tune. After sourcing a P63 engine (the racing version of the S63), BimmerWorld has created a powerful, lightweight, and aerodynamically efficient race car that should be as exciting to drive as it is to hear.
On Sunday the 25th of June, the 101st iteration of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb will be held.
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