This weekend, all eyes are on Rivian as the brand is ready to gear up to race their new high-powered R1T Ascend Quad Max variant at the historic Pike’s Peak International Hill Climb. This challenging electric race is known for its high altitude and treacherous conditions, and promises to test the limits of electric vehicle (EV) technology once again.
The Pike’s Peak International Hill Climb is a well known longest-running electric race established in 1916 and held annually since then . And the present edition is the 102 edition of the renowned racing. It is a grueling 12.42-mile race that starts at an elevation of 9,390ft (2,862m) and finishes at an astonishing 14,110ft (4,300m). The average vertical grade of the track’s 7.2% poses a formidable challenge to all participants, with its high altitude conditions traditionally favoring EVs due to their lack of dependence on oxygen for combustion.
Rivian enters the fray with their latest R1T Ascend Quad Max, a variant boasting impressive figures of 1,198 lb-ft of torque and 1,025 horsepower. This marks a significant upgrade from last year’s model, promising enhanced performance on the challenging terrain of Pike’s Peak. Despite its stock status compared to modified competitors like Ford’s SuperTruck, Rivian aims to leverage its technological advancements to push the boundaries of EV performance in this iconic race.
Previously we all have already seen EVs that have excelled on Pike’s Peak is the Volkswagen ID.R setting a record time of 7:57.148 in 2018. This year we will see the introduction of the Acura ZDX as the first pace car and Hyundai’s Ioniq 5N competing among EV crossovers, highlighting the growing interest and innovation in electric racing technology.
With Rivian’s prior record-setting performance for production trucks at Pike’s Peak and the Ascend Quad Max’s increased power, anticipation is high for another strong showing. While breaking the 11-minute barrier remains a lofty goal, Rivian aims to build on their past achievements and possibly challenge the current EV exhibition class record of 11:02.802.
The race event will be held this weekend at Pick’s Peak, Colorado. Practice runs are underway leading up to the main race day on Sunday, June 23rd. You can buty tickets from the direct Rivina website but according to Pick’s Peak website the tickets being sold out. However the enthusiasts can catch all the action via livestream on Mobil 1’s YouTube channel or Pike’s Peak’s YouTube page, ensuring global visibility for this exhilarating competition.
Rivan has already been spotted in a parking lot while doing preparation. As Rivian prepares to navigate the demanding terrain of Pike’s Peak with their advanced R1T Ascend Quad Max, the stage is set for another chapter in the evolving story of EV dominance in motorsport. Stay tuned for updates on Rivian’s performance and the broader implications for electric vehicle technology in high-performance racing.
