The Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X has claimed a new production car record at Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, completing the 12.42-mile course in a time of 9:30.104. The time beats the previous production car record by more than 23 seconds and marks the fastest ascent by an American-built vehicle in the event’s 101-year history.
IndyCar and Pikes Peak veteran JR Hildebrand piloted the ZR1X during the Race to the Clouds. The achievement positions the latest Corvette variant among an elite group of performance machines that have conquered America’s second-oldest motorsport event.
Record-Breaking Performance at Pikes Peak
Pikes Peak International Hill Climb presents unique challenges for performance vehicles. The 156-turn course climbs to the 14,115-foot summit where along the way oxygen levels drop 40 percent from base to peak, reducing engine power and driver alertness.
The ZR1X averaged 80.3 mph during its record run. That figure includes numerous hairpin turns and elevation changes that force drivers to balance maximum attack with vehicle preservation. One mistake means no recovery on the narrow mountain road.
Hildebrand’s experience with the course contributed to the record-breaking performance.
The previous production car record stood at 9 minutes and 53 seconds, set by a 2022 Porsche 911 Turbo S.
“I like to race places where the challenge is simple and overt,” said Hildebrand, “places where you can write your own script in terms of what you show up with, what you’re racing, and who you’re racing against. Pikes Peak is just the… It’s like the ultimate mashup of those things. Pikes Peak doesn’t have the gigantic TV audience on Sunday, but just from a pure motorsport perspective, it just checks all of the boxes as a driver.
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