The Ford F-150 Lightning SuperTruck electric vehicle demonstrator overcame significant challenges to find success at the 102nd Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, clocking a time of 8:53.553 and emerging as the fastest among 61 competitors.
This impressive result comes on the heels of the truck setting a new qualifying record for the open class with a time of 3:32.831, surpassing the previous record of 3:39.939 set by the Ford Performance SuperVan 4.2 in 2023 by more than seven seconds.
“The progression of Ford electric vehicles taking on and completing the toughest challenges is a major testament to the hard work and dedication our teams have put into the program,” said Mark Rushbrook, global director of Ford Performance Motorsports. “We learned a great deal from SuperVan 4.2 in last year’s Pikes Peak International Hill Climb and were able to apply that knowledge to this year’s run. It’s onward and upward from here.”
Overcoming Adversity on the Climb
Driver Romain Dumas faced a technical issue during the climb, which caused a complete stop on the course, adding approximately 26 seconds compared to his initial qualifying time. Quick thinking from Dumas allowed him to reset the 1,600-horsepower F-150 Lightning SuperTruck and continue the ascent, minimizing the impact of the stoppage.
“I’m honored to achieve this victory with Ford Performance at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb,” Dumas said. “Everything about this event is a challenge because it is unlike any other form of racing—you only have one shot. We faced a challenge early on but that only gave me more determination to make up the lost time in the rest of the run.”
Collaboration and Cutting-Edge Engineering
The construction of the Ford Performance F-150 Lightning SuperTruck was a testament to the power of collaboration. STARD (Stohl Advanced Research and Development) played a crucial role in helping create the 1,600-horsepower truck. The SuperTruck was also equipped with top-of-the-line Sparco racing harnesses and safety equipment, along with bespoke Pirelli P-Zero tires, ensuring its stability on the challenging mountain roads.
“To achieve this amazing feat was no small effort,” said Sriram Pakkam, Formula 1 & high-performance EV manager at Ford Performance Motorsports. “This was a true team effort across the board, from our super-talented aerodynamicists to our powertrain specialists. We also had to work as a team to sweat the details such as keeping the weight down while maximizing the downforce, and I think the team did a fantastic job.”
The success of the Ford F-150 Lightning SuperTruck at the 102nd Pikes Peak International Hill Climb marks a significant milestone for Ford Performance and their ongoing advancements in electric vehicle technology. This achievement underscores the dedication and ingenuity of the team, setting the stage for even greater accomplishments in the future.
Source: Ford
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