Active aero, mid-mounted flat 6 pushing out 1400hp at sea level, 1100hp at the Pikes Peak start line and 900hp at the top of the mountain. What does any of that mean or matter?
Use ‘PODCAST75’ for $75 off your first HPA course here: https://hpcdmy.co/hpa-tuned-in
NOTE: This was recorded before the sudden and sad passing of driver Ken Block in early 2023. RIP to a motorsport and performance industry legend.
Betim Berisha gives us the [TECH TALK] @semashow rundown on the @BBIAutosport 1972-ish Porsche SVRSR “Hoonipigasus” Open Class @pikespeakhillclimb1916 build which runs a modified Porsche GT3 R 4.0L flat 6 engine cranking out 900hp to 1400hp, depending how far up the side of a mountain you are.
Why an early 70's Porsche based design via Joe Scarbo @scarboperformance8623 was used is discussed along with some of the challenges relating to a mid-mounted engine setup as well as aero packaging advantages via the 6000 pound of downforce at 160mph via CFD goal @VerusEngineering had, and how that stacked up (well) in reality.
As discussed elsewhere the 2022 attempt at Pikes Peak sadly ended with engine failure which BBi and associated partners have not hidden away helping us all see that no matter the budget and level we're working at, sometimes things can and will go wrong. Importantly @gscpowerdivision5618 has since done the work to identify and solve 2022's weak link, with further testing to find and fix more planned.
Electronics wise the car runs two @MoTeCAustralia M142 ECUs and a @boschglobal PDM which are taken care of by Sander over at Obsidian Motorsport Group who we have talked with via the 051 Tuned In podcast on this build previously too.