Hyundai today announced its renewed
partnership with Rhys Millen Racing (RMR) to defend its 2012 world
record in the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb (PPIHC). This years’
race to the internationally-renowned summit is planned for June 30. This
year, Hyundai will expand its presence at Pikes Peak with a two-car
effort, with Millen piloting a new, purpose-built unlimited class
rear-drive racecar joined by the production-based Genesis Coupe that set
last years’ all-time record to the peak (9:46.164).
2013 Hyundai/RMR Pikes Peak International Hill Climb – Unlimited Class Racecar
“We’re
certainly proud to renew our successful partnership with Rhys Millen
Racing to take on the unique challenge of international motorsports
known as Pikes Peak,” said Steve Shannon, vice president, marketing,
Hyundai Motor America. “Last year’s all-time world record, set by Millen
in the production-based Genesis Coupe, was a defining milestone in
Hyundai’s quest to build thrilling and durable rear-drive performance
vehicles that are as capable on the road as they are in the rigors of
competitive motorsport.”
TWO-CAR EFFORT
For
2013’s effort, Millen will produce and drive an all-new,
ultra-lightweight, purpose-built racecar using major powertrain
components from Hyundai’s production-based Lambda engine family. This
powertrain is expected to produce over 900 h.p. and 800 ft. lbs. of
torque, while still making significant use of production components
including the block, cylinder heads, bearings and engine accessories.
The racecar chassis will be enveloped by a Genesis Coupe-like silhouette
to compete in the unlimited class. This no-holds-barred racer will be
accompanied by last years’ world-record-setting, production-based
Genesis Coupe in the Time Attack 2WD class. The driver of the Genesis
Coupe will be announced at a later date. RMR is a truly unique racing
firm, one of the very few which successfully conceptualizes, fabricates,
tests, tunes, and most importantly, drives its vehicles in motorsports
competition. In fact, the world-record-setting Genesis Coupe is the
exact same production-based coupe that Millen successfully drifted in
the Formula Drift competitive series, a testament to both the extreme
durability of Hyundai engineering as well as the tuning versatility of
the RMR team.
HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA
Hyundai
Motor America, headquartered in Costa Mesa, Calif., is a subsidiary of
Hyundai Motor Co. of Korea. Hyundai vehicles are distributed throughout
the United States by Hyundai Motor America and are sold and serviced
through more than 820 dealerships nationwide. All Hyundai vehicles sold
in the U.S. are covered by the
Hyundai Assurance
program, which includes the 5-year/60,000-mile fully transferable new
vehicle warranty, Hyundai’s 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty,
and five years of complimentary Roadside Assistance.
Article and image courtesy of Hyundai News.
