Outer Limits - Radford Pikes Peak Edition Type 62-2

 Not only is it one of the longest hillclimbs, it’s also the most technically challenging. The Pikes Peak International Hillclimb is one of the last great pantheons of motorsport.

A brutal battle between man, machine, elements and terrain. So, if you want to take on that challenge you need a special bit of kit.

Like this - the Radford Pikes Peak Edition Type 62-2.

Image: Radford Motors

The brain child of Ant Anstead & Jenson Button, the Type 62-2 has already been hailed as one of the best road cars out there. Naturally, it would become a racer.

The Pikes Peak car however only shares its stunning Silhouette with the Lotus Europa inspired super car.

Underneath this isn’t the normal aluminium chassis that you’ll find in the 62-2. No, you’ll find a full composite monocoque to handle the downforce and punishment it’s driver, the legendary @tannerfoust, will also have to deal with.

Now, a lot of people will say “it’s just a rebodied Lotus” and even in the road car, they’d be wrong. Take for example - the engine.

Image: Radford Motors

The Radford team have taken the 3.5-litre Toyota V6 and completely changed it. Really, only the block remains the same. In Pikes Peak trim, that V6 will be producing 700BHP thanks to its supercharger being set fully and firmly to “kill mode”. And, it’s in a different place.

The whole car is 230mm wider than standard too thanks to the new chassis and every aspect of the suspension geometry has been perfected.

As many of you know, as altitude increases the air density decreases. So, the Aero package for the Pikes Peak 62-2 is a work of art. Wings, canards, splitters, boards, everything you can possibly think of. Not only is there less air for the downforce, which is why the car requires this extreme version but there is less efficient at cooling. The Pikes Peak car has got a whole new cooling set up which works alongside the aero package.

Image: Radford Motors

It’s amazing to see this project take shape over the years. We’ve followed along since the early days of the concept sketches and renders, so to see the Type 62-2 and now the Pikes Peak car, is truly inspiring.

Just wish we were gonna be there.