Porsche Plans To Run A Bunch Of Caymans Up Pikes Peak

Pikes Peak adds new, invitational, one-make class this year.

Porsche has announced a one-make invitational class for the 2018 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb that will feature the Cayman GT4 Clubsport, Clubsport MR, and IMSA Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge GS-spec Clubsport. The company plans to issue just eight invitations for the world’s most famous “Race to the Clouds.” Competitors will race for the Porsche Cayman GT4 Clubsport Pikes Peak Hill Climb Trophy by Yokohama.

It’s the first time in the event’s 96-year history it will feature a one-make class. In partnership with title sponsor Yokohama, all cars will rock ADVAN A052 rubber. Porsche factory driver and defending Pikes Peak winner Romain Dumas will be on hand to assist the class, before he rockets himself up the mountain in Volkswagen’s all-electric prototype. Additionally, Pikes Peak veteran Jeff Zwart will serve asdrivingcoach for the participants. “The first race win of any kind for Porsche came in 1948 at a hill climb shortly after the Porsche No. 1 rolled out of the small shop in Gmünd, Austria,” said president and chief executive of Porsche Motorsport North America, Dr. Daniel Armbruster.

“Many of our victories since have come at hill climbs with some of our greatest drivers like Vic Elford and Romain Dumas. So, it is only natural that we participate in the greatest of American hill climbs, and possibly the most famous in the world, Pikes Peak,” Porsche Motorsport North America will provide on-site race support throughout the event while Yokohama will naturally handle tire technical support. The German marque intends to expand this one-make class in the coming years. The event takes place from June 18th through 24th on the legendary Pikes Peak mountain course in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

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2019 Acura RDX Will Race At Pikes Peak With Modified 350-HP Engine

It's just one of several modified Acura models that will tackle the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb this month.

Volkswagen has generated a lot of publicity for with its I.D. R race car. The extreme EV will tackle the daunting Pikes Peak International Hill Climb later this month to attempt a new record. Acura has now announced it will also be entering the event, albeit with something less radical. To promote the recently unveiled 2019 RDX, a modified version of the crossover will tackle the 12.42-mile long mountain course on June 24. The 2019 Acura RDX will compete in the Exhibition Class and will be driven by Jordan Guitar from Acura's chassis development group.

Acura describes the Pikes Peak RDX as "production-based," but it’s been heavily modified. The crossover’s turbocharged 2.0-liter engine has been upgraded from 272 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque to a more capable 350 hp and 330 lb-ft. To achieve this power boost, Acura installed a larger tubrobharger and intercooler, along with a 48-volt electric supercharger to help reduce turbo lag at higher altitudes. The RDX race car will still send power through a ten-speed automatic, and its SH-AWD torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system has been modified for rear bias. Other handling enhancements include race-tuned suspension, custom 19-inch HRE forged race wheels and Pirelli racing tires.

Braking performance has been upgraded with Brembo front brake calipers and racing pads, and the interior has been stripped out to help reduce weight. The RDX isn’t the only production-based Acura vehicle that will climb Pikes Peak. Acura will also be entering a TLX A-Spec in the Exhibition Class, featuring aerodynamic improvements, a revised suspension, a limited-slip differential and a turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine that develops 500 hp. An NSX Time Attack car will also be at the event. Last year, the Time Attack 1 NSX set the overall hybrid record, but this year’s car is lighter and has larger turbochargers, as well as a larger rear wing and front splitter.

Lastly, RealTime Racing will compete at Pikes Peak in a TLX GT race car. The model features a twin-turbo V6 engine, revised transmission gearing and suspension designed specifically for hill climbs.

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