Porsche 911 Turbo Wants Its Pikes Peak Record Back

The Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, otherwise known as the "Race to the Clouds", is arguably the world's most famous hill climb event and one of the most dangerous. Because of those reasons, the event attracts attention from all kinds of outfits. We've seen a modified Tesla Model S Plaid take on the hill and the event has even attracted a truck running a next-generation diesel fuel. Some are private teams, while others are manufacturer-run. Back in 2019, Bentley took a Continental GT to the Pikes Peak hill climb and walked away with the production car record, and now a private team wants to do the same with a Porsche 911 Turbo S.

The 911 Turbo S is the latest 992 generation and is enhanced with the Lightweight Package from the factory. Behind the wheel will be seven-time Pikes Peak winner David Donner, and for the 100th running of the event, Donner wants his record back.

When Bentley snatched it with a time of 10:18.488 in 2019, Rhys Millen had beaten Donner's 2015 time of 10:26.898. That time was set in a 2014 911 Turbo S, so Donner will, for the most part, know what to expect from the car. Of course, no matter how extensive your preparation, you only get one shot at the full course every 12 months, and that full run is the only attempt that counts.

"I've always gone to Pikes Peak to win or set a record - the stakes are too high unless you're there to prove something and can do so professionally," said Donner. "My family's history with Porsche at Pikes Peak stems from my father, Bob Donner, who won three times in Porsche Spyders in 1960, 1961, and 1962. My last three wins here have been with a Porsche, so it would be meaningful to make it four."

The car is provided by Porsche collector Jim Edwards while race support comes from 000, a Porsche-focused magazine. As a nod to the tie-in with print, the car has been wrapped in a unique livery installed by Superior Auto Design. We'll get to see it in person at the famous Colorado hill on Sunday, June 26, 2022.