‘The world is advancing at tremendous speed’
Also known as ‘The Race to the Clouds’, the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb has been contested since 1913 on a 12.4-mile stretch of highway in Colorado.
Running alone against the clock, competitors climb 4,720ft over the 156-corner course, finishing at an altitude of 14,110ft, or 4,300m. By the time they reach the finish line, oxygen is so scarce that the performance of internal combustion engines is seriously diminished.
Until 2011 the event was only open to rally cars, as the highest part of the course was unpaved. But with tarmac all the way, Honda decided to use America’s second-oldest race (after the Indy 500) to showcase the US-designed and -built NSX supercar.
The beast that is NSX
Honda’s US Acura division race-prepared a prototype NSX to act as the event’s pace car, leading the 140 competitors in vehicles ranging from traditional American V8 muscle cars to electric vehicles unaffected by the drop in oxygen levels.
The new NSX, which will be badged as an Acura in the United States, was given a special racing livery for the event and was driven by Honda staff member, and experienced Pikes Peak racer, Sage Marie. He reported that the new NSX’s 75-degree twin-turbo V6 engine provided the power that the course demands, and most importantly that its three-motor Sport Hybrid Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system delivered huge, secure traction through those turns: critical when there’s a sheer drop of thousands of feet on the outside of the bend.
‘As the pace car, the beast that is NSX will not be fully let out of its cage, but fans and drivers will still get a first glimpse of the unique character, performance and handling of the NSX in a one-of-a-kind racing environment,’ said Mike Accavitti, senior vice president of the Acura Division, before the run.
