Rhys Millen attacks Pikes Peak in Hyundai Genesis Coupe
Rhys Millen's Hyundai Genesis Coupe at Pikes Peak - Click above for high-res image gallery
Rhys Millen continued his pursuit of the family business this week as he began his 18th attack on the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. As one of the most challenging hill climbs in the world at 12.4 miles and 156 turns, in some ways it's as close to running the Nürburgring Nordschleife as you're likely to get in America.
This is the first time Millen is making the run in his new Hyundai Genesis Coupe, and he's evidently driving the same car he has been using in Formula D drift events all year long – complete with the Hyundai V6 powerplant. In fact, the car was trucked to Colorado directly from last weekend's drift event in Las Vegas.
Millen took advantage of a practice session on the course three weeks ago to get a time this week that was 1.5 seconds per mile faster than he managed last year in a Pontiac Solstice that had three years of development. Speaking after Thursday's practice runs, Millen had this to say:
"Yesterday was the first day of practice in the middle section, approx. 3.0 miles. We ran faster than last years section time by 5 seconds ! Today was even better. Today we ran the upper section to the finish line and I'm still shocked to say this but we ran 27 seconds faster than last years section time. The car is working amazing, so predictable, so fast that I am driving like never before."Hyundai spokesman Dan Bedore sent us a few pics to share, so check them out in our gallery below.
[Source: Hyundai]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Raz 10:15AM (7/17/2009)
Missing the good old days of Group B rally cars especially Audi Quattro's..
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Danimal 10:19AM (7/17/2009)
Too bad it makes me feel like someone vomited on my eyeballs.
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Sal Collaziano 2:17PM (7/17/2009)
I agree but it's all the stickers that make it look so bad. See one in person and it's an entirely different story. Pictures don't do the car justice. I've seen a few and I really like the looks of it - especially in black and especially the back. I'm not crazy about the front fascia. I hope the aftermarket gives people more choices soon...
Sal Collaziano
http://www.genesisowners.com
Danimal 2:25PM (7/17/2009)
No way it's worse in person! There's nothing cohesive going on. It's just a bunch of curves.
It would look fantastic...10 years ago.
Bobmarley 10:20AM (7/17/2009)
Tough job!
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audi_arena 10:33AM (7/17/2009)
This is interesting that he isn't using a dedicated hill climb car... or even an all wheel drive car!
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John 10:39AM (7/17/2009)
Indeed. I'm seriously impressed that he's using the same car for drift and hill climb - back to back.
I'm sure there are a lot of racers/teams that wouldn't even dream of attempting that.
BigMcLargeHuge 10:52AM (7/17/2009)
There are a lot of RWD cars entered depending on the class.
http://www.ppihc.com/content.aspx?tabid=2&contentid=252
adam1drift 12:26PM (7/17/2009)
its not the same car... its a replica of the drift car that has been built only for the hill climb... so it is a dedicated car... his car last year was the same way and was also RWD...
AndrewNoNumbers 12:53AM (7/18/2009)
"This is the first time Millen is making the run in his new Hyundai Genesis Coupe, and he's evidently driving the same car he has been using in Formula D drift events all year long – complete with the Hyundai V6 powerplant. In fact, the car was trucked to Colorado directly from last weekend's drift event in Las Vegas."
Steven Levin 12:13PM (7/17/2009)
Pike's Peak is to the 'Ring what the 'Ring is to modern tracks....vastly more difficult and deadly. The 'Ring at least has barriers so people can stop and take pictures or your crumpled heap...at the Peak...they have to fly a helicopter down the 3,000' cliff you sailed off to try and spot the wreckage.
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f0 2:41PM (7/17/2009)
I've been googling for it but can't seem to find out if there will be any TV coverage of the event.
Anyone know if there will be TV coverage in the US?
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montoym 5:27PM (7/17/2009)
It's usually something you will find on ESPN like 2 months from now.
It's sort of like WRC, not enough of a draw for them to do a live simulcast or even a tape delay in a reasonable timeframe.
Plus, I think the venue makes it tough for a TV production. With all the altitude changes and the high altitude in general, it wouldn't be the easiest thing to plan out.
HotRodzNKustoms 12:58PM (7/17/2009)
I'm actually not surprised at all. The Hyundai's wheelbase is 16 inches longer than the Solstice (111 in. vs. 95.1 in.) which on a course like Pikes Peak I imagine would be a huge help. I'm not saying that a limo should therefore obliterate the track record but the extra wheelbase certainly is a factor you cannot ignore.
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ConceptVBS 5:23AM (7/18/2009)
Whats even more impressive is the engine internals are stock components.
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