Loeb gets ready for Pikes Peak

After you've won nine world rally championships in a row you tend to get slightly bored and possibly try new things. Sébastien Loeb is doing just that by taking on what many in motorsport consider to be one of the ultimate challenges - Pikes Peak.

By Dave Humphreys

Held in the same regard by many as the Monte Carlo Grand Prix, Indy 500 & Le Mans, Pikes Peak represents a real test of both driver and machine. Also know as The Race to the Clouds, the hill climb event is held each year in Colorado and consists of a 20km track with 156 turns that climbs 4,720 ft. finishing at an altitude of 14,110 ft.

For this rather unique event Peugeot has created the slightly mental 208 T16. Based (very) loosely on the cute little 208, this monster is powered by a mid-engined 3.2-litre twin-turbo V6 that develops 875bhp.

Mad you say, but made even madder by the fact that it weighs just 875kg. The massive rear wing isn’t just for looks either, as it has to be that big because of the high altitude of the track. The air is thinner at the top meaning that the enormous rear wing is needed in order to be effective higher up.

We’ll have to wait until the race on June 30th to see if Loeb can add Pikes Peak to his rather expansive trophy cabinet.