A Range Rover Sport challenged of the 12.42-mile asphalt course, powering its way from a standing start in just 12 minutes 35.61 seconds with an average speed of 59.17 mph. The course, a snaking road that clings to the edge of the mountain, has precipitous drops on
one side and unyielding rock faces on the other. The record was independently timed
and sanctioned by PPIHC (Pikes Peak International Hill Climb), organizers of the
annual competition in Colorado.
First run in 1916, Pikes Peak is the second-oldest motorsport event in the U.S. The Pikes Peak course goes through 156 corners as it ascends beyond the treeline from 9,390 feet above sea level to 14,110 feet. At that altitude the air contains only 58-percent of the oxygen it does at sea level, diminishing engine power and blunting human physical and mental performance.
Driven by competition and stunt driver Paul Dallenbach, above, the new Range Rover Sport is powered by with a 5.0-litre supercharged V8 engine. Only non-production equipment was the installation of a roll cage and competition harness/seatbelts to meet racing safety requirements. Dallenbach, 45 years old, is from Basalt, Colorado, and has won his division
at Pikes Peak six times and the event outright three times.
“There’s no margin for error at Pikes Pike. You only need to misjudge one of those 156 turns and you’re into the trees or over the edge of the mountain. The new Range Rover Sport is fast, responsive and agile. This is a hugely capable vehicle and I’m proud to have been part of demonstrating that by setting a new Pikes Peak record,” said Dallenbach.
The Pikes Peak record run is the first of a series of global driving challenges to be taken-on by the all-new Range Rover Sport, pushing the vehicle to new limits in a series of the most punishing drives to be found on earth. For more information about the latest Range Rovers, please visit http://www.landrover.com/us/en/lr/#