Rally driver and stunt supremo Ken Block has announced dramatic plans to take on the 2022 Pikes Peak International Hillclimb.
The Californian will drive a unique 1,400 horsepower mid-engined Porsche 911, built especially for his assault on the 12.42-mile course.
Dubbed ‘Hoonipigasus’, the car wears a livery that pays homage to the 1971 Porsche 917/20 ‘Pink Pig’ Le Mans racer.
It will certainly make a dramatic statement at the Colorado event, which celebrates its 100th running this year.
Made from prime cuts
Hoonipigasus has been specially designed to suit Block’s driving style. With styling inspired by classic Porsche 911s, the 2,200 lb (1,000 kg) machine is cutting-edge underneath.
It includes the wonderfully named ‘Chorizo Tunnel’ transmission, responsible for sending power to the front wheels. Starting at shoulder height, the tunnel heads down to the front axle, and is said to result in a lower center of gravity.
The suspension features a clever GPS adjustment system, altering itself based on telemetry taken from the previous year’s hillclimb.
With Pikes Peak featuring 156 corners, many with sheer drops at the edge, all help is welcome in The Race to the Clouds. The elevation gain of 4,725 feet sees racers dealing with changeable weather conditions, with the finish line at 14,115 feet above sea level.
Pushing Porsche boundaries
Block and his Hoonigan Racing Division have worked with the BBi Autosport team to create Hoonipigasus. BBi hopes to add to its record of eight podiums, including five class wins, at Pikes Peak.
“The Hoonipigasus is an absolute dream-come-true type of build,” said the founder of BBi Autosport, Betim Berisha. “It doesn’t get any more mental from a tech, power, aero and visual standpoint.”
Completing the ultimate Porsche racer is the livery designed by street artist Trevor ‘Trouble’ Andrew, also known as Guccighost. Andrew’s designs will feature on all of Block’s race cars in 2022, including his Hyundai i20 WRC rally car.
The Mobil 1 Pegasus logo will also appear on Hoonipigasus, with the oil company providing technical support for the Pikes Peak run.
A mountain to climb
This will not be the first time Block has taken to Pikes Peak. In 2005 he entered a Group N rally car in the event, as part of his first full year of motorsport competition. He later returned to the mountain in 2017, creating his ‘Climbkhana: Pikes Peak’ film.
Revealing the Hoonipigasus, Block said: “The Pikes Peak Hillclimb is one of the big reasons as to why I’m a rally driver. The list of drivers who have raced and won this hillclimb includes many of my heroes: Walter Rohrl, Ari Vatanen, Michelle Mouton, Sebastien Loeb and Rod Millen to name a few.
“I’ve always wanted the chance to race Pikes Peak at the top level and compete for an overall win – and with our team and BBi Autosport creating this amazing Porsche, we’ve got a good shot.”
We’ll learn if Block can add his name to the list of those who have mastered Pikes Peak on Sunday 26 June 2022.
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