This turbocharged Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car ran at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb on Sunday, claiming second overall behind an open cockpit prototype, and breaking the Time Attack 1 class record by more than 14 seconds. Pro rally driver and PPIHC veteran Raphael Astier took the checkered flag in just 9 minutes 23.721 seconds. You can watch the full run below.
Perhaps the most interesting thing about this time is that Raph Astier was clearly frustrated at the top of the mountain, saying that there was something wrong with his engine. So it’s possible that this crazy build had even more time in it if things hadn’t gone wrong. Here he is giving an interview immediately after the run. You can see the disappointment in his face.
And if you want to know the backstory of this Porsche’s build up in the weeks leading up to Pikes Peak, thankfully the Hoonigans documented the whole thing. Check that out, in three parts, below. The BBi team cut it awfully close, getting the car operational just hours before they needed to leave for Colorado. It’s a hectic build. Hopefully they can improve on this formula and bring it back to the mountain next year.
Part 1 –
Part 2 –
Part 3 –
