F-150 Lightning SuperTruck Shines at Pikes Peak Hill Climb

The Ford F-150 Lightning SuperTruck electric vehicle demonstrator achieved a remarkable feat at the 102nd Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, recording a time of 8:53.553—the fastest among 61 competitors. This victory highlights Ford’s commitment to innovation and performance in the realm of electric vehicles.

This impressive result comes on the heels of another significant achievement: the F-150 Lightning SuperTruck set a new qualifying record for the open class with a time of 3:32.831. This time was more than seven seconds faster than the previous record of 3:39.939, set by the Ford Performance SuperVan 4.2 in 2023.

Mark Rushbrook, global director of Ford Performance Motorsports, expressed his pride in the team’s efforts, stating, “The progression of Ford electric vehicles taking on and completing the toughest challenges is a major testament to the hard work and dedication our teams have put into the program. We learned a great deal from SuperVan 4.2 in last year’s Pikes Peak International Hill Climb and were able to apply that knowledge to this year’s run. It’s onward and upward from here.”

Driver Romain Dumas showcased remarkable resilience during the climb. Despite encountering a technical issue that brought him to a complete stop on the course, he managed to reset the 1,600-horsepower F-150 Lightning SuperTruck and continued his climb. This stop added about 26 seconds to his initial qualifying time, but Dumas’s quick thinking and determination helped him overcome the setback.

Reflecting on the experience, Dumas said, “I’m honored to achieve this victory with Ford Performance at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. Everything about this event is a challenge because it is unlike any other form of racing—you only have one shot. We faced a challenge early on, but that only gave me more determination to make up the lost time in the rest of the run.”

The success of the Ford Performance F-150 Lightning SuperTruck is a testament to the power of collaboration and innovation. STARD (Stohl Advanced Research and Development) played a crucial role in developing the 1,600-horsepower truck. The SuperTruck was also equipped with top-of-the-line Sparco racing harnesses and safety equipment, as well as bespoke Pirelli P-Zero tires, ensuring its stability on the challenging mountain roads.

Sriram Pakkam, Formula 1 & high-performance EV manager at Ford Performance Motorsports, emphasized the importance of teamwork in achieving this feat. “To achieve this amazing feat was no small effort,” said Pakkam. “This was a true team effort across the board from our super-talented aerodynamicists to our powertrain specialists. We also had to work as a team to sweat the details such as keeping the weight down while maximizing the downforce, and I think the team did a fantastic job.”

The success at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb is a significant milestone for Ford’s electric vehicle program. It demonstrates the potential of electric vehicles to compete at the highest levels of motorsport. With the lessons learned from this event, Ford Performance is poised to continue pushing the boundaries of what electric vehicles can achieve.

The Ford F-150 Lightning SuperTruck’s success at the 102nd Pikes Peak International Hill Climb underscores Ford’s commitment to innovation, performance, and teamwork. By breaking records and overcoming challenges, the SuperTruck has set a new standard for electric vehicles in motorsport. As Ford continues to push the envelope, the future of electric vehicle racing looks brighter than ever.

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