When we first reported that rally ace Sébastien Loeb would be driving Peugeot's 875 hp monster up the treacherous Pikes Peak hill climb, it was clear that a record breaking time was on the cards. But what actually transpired was more than just record breaking: it was total annihilation, as Loeb completed his run in 8:13.878, over a minute and a half faster than the previous best.
Rhys Millen's previous record time set in 2012 was a 9:46.164. Millen himself improved 44 seconds on that record in this year's race, but was still shy of Loeb's run by 49 seconds. That's a staggering separation in an event that runs on a mere 12.72 mile course, similar in length to the legendary Nordschleife, where auto manufactures fight for every second in an effort to one-up their competitors.
Now the nine-minute barrier has been thoroughly obliterated, the target sits squarely at mustering a sub eight. And with the way things are progressing, that milestone stands as being close to reality--at least for Peugeot and Loeb, that is. For now, the French brigade can celebrate as outright victors, destroying the field in the race to the clouds.