RallyVW Golf TDI tops previous Pike’s Peak time
Posted By RichC on July 22, 2007
Along with the three Volkswagen V-10 Touareg diesels, Jon Hamilton and his RallyVW team climbed to the clouds again this year at Pike’s Peak. (course map) His unofficial 14:03 time is a record for him and a tribute to the kind of power that can come from our little 1.9L turbocharged diesels. (particularly in skilled hands) One of the results to notice is that Jon even beat one of the TDI Touaregs!
Pikes Peak International Hill Climb is the world”s highest auto race and one of the most grueling events in all of motor racing. The start line at 9,400 feet is high enough to leave anyone short of breath. And the climb to the towering 14,110 foot finish punishes drivers and their vehicles. As the drivers climb toward the summit, the thin air slows reflexes and saps muscle strength – plus it robs engines of 30% of their power at the summit. So competitors and vehicles must be in top shape simply to finish, let alone win.
The course is a twisty sprint of 12.4 miles. With turns and a course that turns to gravel halfway up, drivers get a tremendous workout. Although every corner in the race deserves full respect, the one named “Bottomless Pit” gets top billing as the one not to miss. No one has ever missed that corner, which would result in a 6,000 foot drop.
Mile for mile, the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb is the toughest race in the world.
The official information will be posted on the PPIHC website, but a congratulation is in line to all at team RallyVW. Way to go guys!
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