These are the first shots of Hyundai's secretive Pikes Peak race car, the Rhys Millen Racing (RMR) Hyundai Genesis PM580. The photos were taken by pro drifter Dai Yoshihara when the car was out testing recently at the El Toro airforce base
Designed to run the Unlimited Class at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, the PM580 is basically a Le Mans-style prototype racer — with all-wheel-drive and at least 650 horsepower from a 4.1-liter turbocharged Hyundai LAmbda engine.
Hyundai and Rhys Millen are gunning for the record currently held by Nobuhiro "Monster" Tajima, who ran a 10:01.41 on the 12.42-mile course in an extremely modified Suzuki back in 2007. Tajima's time bested the standing world' record of 10:04.06, set in 1994 by Rhys' father Rod Millen.
The Pikes Peak Hill Climb, which takes place annually on Pikes Peak in Colorado Springs, Colorado, starts at an elevation of 9,300 feet and finishes at an elevation of 14,110 feet – where the air is so think drivers' reaction times begin to slow and their race car engines lose 30 percent of their power. Drivers drift around 156 corners, nearly missing guard rails and trees, while avoiding cliffs with 2,000-foot drop-offs.
Rhys Millen Racing will officially debut the car on April 19th, with this year's event taking place on June 27th.
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Rhys Millen Racing Hyundai Genesis PM580 Spied Testing on AutoGuide.com
Rhys Millen Racing Hyundai Genesis PM580 Spied Testing
