It was last weekend, on June 25th, that another edition of Pikes Peak International Hill Climb took place, the famous mountain competition that takes place in Colorado, USA every year.
It's 20 km long, now fully paved (the road used to be unpaved), in a race known as the «Run to the Clouds». A nickname due to the differences in height between departure and arrival. The game starts at 2,862 meters above sea level, and continues to climb to 4300 meters.
The absolute winner of the 2017 edition was Romain Dumas, with the Norma MXX RD Limited prototype, having achieved a time of 9 minutes and 05.672 seconds. A very good time, but far, far away from the absolute record of the race.
This was achieved in 2013 by Sébastien Loeb, Mr. «WRC» 9 times World Rally Champion, aboard an infernal machine: the Peugeot 208 T16 . A monster with 875 horsepower and just 875 kilos, capable of accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in just 1.8 seconds, up to 200 in 4.8 and up to 240 km/h in just 7.0 seconds!
Such numbers are provided by a supercharged 3.2 liter V6, mounted in the center rear position, and of course, full wheel drive. The Peugeot 908 HDi, which participated in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, received its massive aileron, one of the most visible elements of its aerodynamics, optimized to handle the 156 curves of the track.
The time achieved by the pilot and by the 208 are still unbeatable: 8 minutes and 13.878 seconds.
The Peugeot 208 T16 will run again
It was Peugeot, of course, who got to keep the machine, but now it will change hands. And it will change, precisely into the hands of the pilot who dominated it: Sebastien Loeb , through Sébastien Loeb Racing, owned by the driver.
The objective will be to make the Peugeot 208 T16 return to the circuits, three years after its last outing. A first test has already been successfully carried out, on the circuit known as the Ring of Rhine, located in the region of Alsace.
This test anticipates the participation of the 208 T16 and Sébastien Loeb on the Turckheim-Trois Épis ramp, on 9 and 10 September, which is now being awaited with redoubled expectations.
Sebastien LoebI always dreamed of owning this car. I wanted to go back in time: it's a complicated car to drive, but I quickly rediscovered the unique sensations it generates.
