Aubervilliers, 16 August 2012. One of the world’s leading companies in the field of hi-tech competition lubricants and lubrication, Motul is proud to be associated with some of the leading names in both motorsport. The extreme conditions experienced in competitive motorsport are vital to the company in its research for technical excellence and superior performance, and the victory of Motul-supported Rhys Millen in the Pikes Peak Hill Climb, Colorado, USA this past weekend encapsulated this perfectly.
America’s second oldest motorsport event and arguably the most famous hill climb in the world, this year’s edition of Pikes Peak was historic for a number of reasons. Postponed from its usual July date because of the devastating forest fires in the Colorado region, the event was run for the first time over a 100% asphalted course. Extreme weather conditions over the 4,300m (14,000ft) ascent forced race officials to shorten the course due to snow, rain and near-freezing temperatures at the finish line on the summit – only the third time in the race’s 90-year history this has happened. Before this, a number of high-profile entrants went off track or failed to finish due to technical issues.
Californian Millen, who finished second last year, drove his 2013 Hyundai Genesis Coupe in the Time Attack class and set a new Pikes Peak Course Record of 9:46.164. Moreover he achieved victory by just 0.017 seconds over the more powerful Porsche of Le Mans 24 Hour winner Romain Dumas – one of the closest margins in motorsport competition. The result was perhaps somewhat unexpected, but the diversity of teams supported by Motul in all kinds of legendary motorsport events allow for this kind of good surprise!
With only one shot at glory for each competitor, technical reliability is vital and that – coupled with the extended range of temperatures and high altitude – means Motul’s products were an integral part of Rhys Millen’s success. Using the latest version of Motul’s 300V lubricant, reformulated several months ago to offer yet more power and engine protection in extreme conditions, Millen was able to optimise the performance of his Hyundai Genesis.
“I just pushed that little Hyundai Genesis as hard as we could,” reflected Millen. “But it was technically perfect; no warning lights, the engine ran flawlessly from the start. Although Pikes Peak is considered a sprint race, it is the toughest endurance test for engines. Running the Motul 300V engine oil proved up to the test and never faltered on the climb to an all- time fastest ascent up the mountain. To beat such a world champion as Dumas in the Porsche team makes it even better. This is my biggest victory in the past 18 years on Pikes Peak.”
The result is cause for celebration by not just the competitor but also all the technical partners involved in the discipline. Speaking on behalf of Motul, Groupe Motul Director, Hervé Amelot, commented: “This victory, a first in Motul’s history, in the legendary race that is Pikes Peak, is a further reward for the efforts of the whole Group in offering the very best of its knowledge and know-how to its clients. Well done to Rhys Millen and his team who achieved this result in such a great way!”
Millen was just one of seven cars receiving Motul’s technical support across four of the multiple categories and the company wishes to extend its congratulations and thanks to all its partners. In particular, rookie Andrew Comrie-Picard finished 3rd in the Exhibition Powersports class and in 65th place overall with his little Scion xD; Travis Tollett, the courageous quadriplegic driver, who outstandingly took his Polaris RZR to 121st out of a total of 170 entries. More unlucky in 2012 were Jean-Philippe Dayrault who, despite crashing out, has vowed to return in 2013 and Kash Singh and Anthony Perez.
A video of the full world record run is available on Rhys Millen’s YouTube channel as well as on the Motul Channel
Photo credit: RMR
