Hyundai and Rhys Millen Racing to Challenge Pikes Peak World Record in an AWD Genesis

[BKgen®]

Rhys Millen will once again head to Pikes Peak this year, in the hopes of setting a new world record. The Rhys Millen Racing (RMR) team is currently building a special vehicle for the uphill climb, called the RMR Hyundai Genesis PM580, which will compete in Unlimited class and use all-wheel drive. Hyundai has released a single teaser image (above).

The current world record hold is Nobuhiro "Monster" Tajima, who ran a 10:01.41 on the 12.42-mile course in an extremely modified Suzuki back in 2007.

Last year Millen ran a 12:09.397 in the rear-wheel drive Time Attack Class. That might not sound all that impressive, but he was essentially using his drift car and did manage to beat his nearest competitor by 1 minute, 23 seconds and besting even his own previous time by 22 seconds.

The Pikes Peak Hill Climb, which takes place annually on Pikes Peak in Colorado Springs, Colorado, starts at an elevation of 9,300 feet and finishes at an elevation of 14,110 feet – where the air is so think drivers' reaction times begin to slow and their race car engines lose 30 percent of their power. Drivers drift around 156 corners, nearly missing guard rails and trees, while avoiding cliffs with 2,000-foot drop-offs.

This year's event takes place on June 27th.

More: Hyundai and Rhys Millen Racing to Challenge Pikes Peak World Record in an AWD Genesis on AutoGuide.com

[Nerdsrock22]

Isn't that his mid-engined Genesis he built awhile ago? Or is this going to be different?

[BKgen®]

It'll be something completely new -- That was the RM460 (Mid-engine 4.6l V8)

[Nerdsrock22]

What Hyundai is the 580 from?

[EJ25RUN]

He won't break it.

Half the climb to the summit is over tarmac where it was all gravel in Rod Millen's 1994 run. The tarmac destroys the dirt tires so by the time you reach the gravel they are spent. Every year, the tarmac section gets closer to the top.

To add, the biggest factor is the weather. Tajima waited almost a decade to get the prefect weather (per say) and atmospheric pressure. The Suzuki makes 800hp+ at the ground but no where near that at the summit.

[EJ25RUN]

Rhys Millen is so serious about breaking the world-famous Pikes Peak Hill Climb' 10-minute barrier and reclaiming his family's honor he's building a tube-framed and carbon fiber, 1,850lb, 750 HP stroked 4.1-liter V6-powered monster called the Hyundai Genesis PM580.

The annual Pikes Peak Hill International Climb is one of the most challenging and dangerous events in motorsport and many consider it the ultimate test of driving skill. Whereas other types of racing have carefully maintained surfaces, strictly controlled safety barriers and tight regulations on the way vehicles are built, Pikes Peak's Unlimited class has none of those things — it's a run what ya' brung affair.

The course consists of a race from the bottom of Colorado's Pikes Peak along a 12.42 mile course with a total elevation change of 4,721 feet. There are 156 turns on a mix of asphalt and gravel and there certainly aren't guard rails so this is an event not for the faint of heart.

Hyundai Genesis PM580: A 750 HP Pikes Peak ConquerorLast year, Rhys Millen set a new Time Attack 2WD record of 12:09.397 in a 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe, but this year he's thinking bigger. In cooperation with Hyundai, Rhys Millen Racing is building the Hyundai Genesis PM580. It's a one-off, LeMan's style race car built for extreme terrain and designed to best the 10-minute barrier by beating Nobuhiro "Monster" Tajima's current time of 10:01.408 in a Suzuki XL7 Hill Climb Special.

While 1.4 seconds might not sound like much, the record has stood since 2007. Before Tajima's record it was Rhys' father Rod Millen's with a record of 10:04:06 in a supermodified Celica he held since 1994. Rhys aims to get the record back for the Millen clan.

So how are they making the attempt? Good old-fashioned light-makes-right. Starting with a chromoly DOM tube chassis they're dropping in a 3.8-liter Lambda V6 from the Hyundai Genesis Coupe, they're stroking the motor to 4.1-liters and adding a HKS T04Z turbocharger with a huge intercooler, with the engine currently testing at 750 HP. The engine is connected to a Weismann semi-automatic AWD transmission with a Tilton Racing clutch, and driving through two active differentials. This will allow the car to shift power side to side to deal with variable road surfaces which Millen sees as key to besting the 10-minute mark. The car is finished off in a lightweight, carbon fiber body with front and rear diffusers and an Aeromotions active wing.

Millen says he's been dreaming of breaking into the 9's for the better part of the decade, and with this effort he's hoping to return the title to his family name. The Pikes Peak International Hill Climb starts June 27th.

[BKgen®]

Very interesting...

[Nerdsrock22]

That's cool as hail.

[SeePlusPlus]

I hope the finished product looks like that, I think that's quite a nice looking car. I love lmp style cars

[Glides]

I doubt he will make it. Rhys is good, but like EJ said, Monster waited forever to get everything just right. Now, if Rhys gets perfect weather, his car doesn't break and everything goes just right, he MIGHT do it. I will take a guess that if he get's close, he will beat his fathers record, but come in behind Monster. I give Rhys a 4:02. It's gonna be real close...but no cigar.

[EJ25RUN]

About the way this vehicle is being set up.

Rod Millen did something very similar many years ago.

It was all looking good until the turbo failed near the summit.

[tdurr]

i like the sound of this. it would be a VERY cool story if he did it just to bring the family name back on top.

[DeeAOne]

pretty awesome find. hes building a beast of a car too.

[Mr Egg Rollllll]

I support him...I hope he comes away with the record.

[Glides]

I agree, it would be neat if he did beat it and bring the name back on top.....but then again, it would be neat if godzilla rose from the depths and did a parade lap round Road Atlanta for the historic races......but I don't see that happeneing.

[dazn]

looks like the lola aston

[BKgen®]

looks like the lola aston

Reminds me more of a toyota gt-one.

anyway, here's a shitty teaser pic that was posted on the GC forums.

[EJ25RUN]

Dimensions wise it looks closer to the Stealth B6

[d00d]

Its amazing the support hyundai is getting for there new platform, never thought i would see hyundai make an amazing sports car.

[EJ25RUN]

Its amazing the support hyundai is getting for there new platform, never thought i would see hyundai make an amazing sports car.

How does that relate to this car in any way? All that's coming from Hyundai is the $ bill.