Volkswagen is the front runner after qualifying fastest for the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb in Colorado.
With Frenchman Romain Dumas at the wheel of VW’s first fully-electric race car, the I.D. R Pikes Peak was the fastest qualifier with a time of 3:16.083 minutes.
The three-time Pikes Peak winner was 11.049 seconds quicker than second-placed Simone Faggioli in his Norma M20 SF PKP powered by a conventional engine.
“That was a very good day for us,” Dumas said. “The I.D. R Pikes Peak is incredible. I have never experienced acceleration and power like that in a racing car.
“I am noticing how the car and I are becoming more and more of a unit with every kilometre,” the Frenchman said.
Volkswagen Motorsport Director, Sven Smeets, was also happy with the result.
“A big compliment to the entire team. We completed an important test yesterday, the findings from which have helped us to further optimise the set-up of the I.D. R Pikes Peak,” he said.
“The result is that the car was superbly prepared today, and the time speaks for itself. However, that was only qualifying. We are optimistic about the race, but must always bear in mind that we only have one single attempt.”
Only the first section of the 19.99km for qualifying – from the start to the 8.3km mark, with times are used to determine the starting order for the race.
Volkswagen’s pursuit of the record for electric vehicles, which currently stands at 8:57.118 minutes, begins on Sunday, June 24.
First on to the route are the 24 registered motorcycles, followed by 62 cars in six different classes.
The action gets underway midnight Monday local time.
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