VIDEO: On board with Marcus Gronholm's Ford Fiesta at Pikes Peak
Ford Fiesta RallyCross "Peak Performance" - click above to watch video after the jump
As an homage to rallying's legendary Climb Dance video, the blokes at Motor Trend have teamed up with Ford and Marcus Gronholm to concoct a gorgeous new short film chronicling the rally champion's 2009 ascent of Pikes Peak in the Blue Oval's new Fiesta RallyCross. In the interest of clarity, this is not the same car that crashed earlier in practice – that was the #5 car of Andrea Ericksson, this is Gronholm's #3 – a car that looks to have made it to the top just fine, thank you.
Check out the 9+ minute Peak Performance film after the jump, with its breathtaking footage from various in and on-car cameras, it's a high-definition gem with great audio. Just for fun, we've also included its inspiration, the original Climb Dance film of Ari Vatanen's 1988 record-breaking Pikes Peak Hill Climb run in his Peugeot 405. Thanks to everyone for the tips!
[Source: YouTube]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
HotRodzNKustoms 1:14PM (7/24/2009)
I WANT ONE!!!!
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SimbaDogg 9:18PM (7/25/2009)
balls of steel the man has. gotta love some good ol left foot braking
Franz 1:14PM (7/24/2009)
Great videos. I've always thought that Marcus Grönholm looks a little bit like MacGyver. Wish my Evo sounded like that. :)
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Fearless Fred 1:14PM (7/24/2009)
note to anyone anywhere making any kind of car related video: THIS is how you do it
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Rocketboy 2:04PM (7/24/2009)
You mean, you don't find it better if someone removes all natural sounds and adds in some flavor of the month emo band, or some random bass thumping dance music?
Valentino Amoro 2:47PM (7/24/2009)
Lovely videos. Really amazing driving. Somehow I do feel that a few sections are sped up 4-9%. Anybody feeling that?
I've reviewed many videos (like those released from Chevy int he Ring, etc) and while those are blindingly fast as well, the movement of the drivers (their talking) etc really seems to be moving faster in a few scenes.
Palleraa 1:21PM (7/24/2009)
Don't know why, but I still like the old video better. I mean the high definition materiel is great, but the editting could be done much more smooth. Still, great video.
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Greg 2:47PM (7/24/2009)
+1
That early video was fantastic. That's the way to do it.
I like the in car that shows only one driver - no navi.
Just Man, Mountain, & Machine and he has to shield his eyes from the sun while driving.
Just friggin great!!
Don 3:25PM (7/24/2009)
Ya I like the older one more also. I think because it is a gritty dusty hard driving drivers view. I really like the camera work on the second one shows more of the driver battling the steering and more from the chopper.
PumaGTO 4:00PM (7/24/2009)
both videos are great, but to me, Vatanen >> Grönholm. And the old video is better too.
Rob 2:23PM (7/24/2009)
I get a stiffy just thinking about driving one of these with more than 500 HP. That would be an insane ride.
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arturo 3:51PM (7/24/2009)
fantastic
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SmashBx 7:20PM (7/24/2009)
They did a good job of stringing all of the practices together along with race day... They didn't show his hood pop up or when he crossed the line on fire.
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Noah 9:44PM (7/24/2009)
Yes, the old video had better editing, shooting style.
So was the angry squirrel barking noise I heard the mystical Anti-Lag System at work?
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ij70 10:43PM (7/24/2009)
2:41 made me laugh, great comic relief.
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GOT 6:36AM (7/25/2009)
Awesome video, awesome car!
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