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Ken Block's Pikes Peak challenger revealed as 1000kW+ AWD Porsche

The Head Hoonigan in Charge has gone to extreme lengths for Pikes Peak assault

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Snapshot

  • Ken Block to take on Pikes Peak in 2022
  • “Hoonipigasus” was built by BBi Autosport
  • Livery is a tribute to the 1971 Porsche 917/20 "Pink Pig"

The latest creation to roll out of the Hoonigan Racing Division garage has been revealed – a 1000kW-plus, all-wheel drive Porsche dubbed Hoonipigasus.

Slated to take on this year's Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, the Hoonipigasus will be piloted by Hoonigan founder and Gymkhana video series star Ken Block, making his second competitive start in the iconic event after previously racing in 2005, driving a Group N-spec Subaru Impreza WRX STI.

Built by BBi Autosport, the machine actually started out as a four-cylinder Porsche 912 before being heavily fettled by Joe Scarbo of Scarbo Performance to create the SVRSR before BBi turned into the high-downforce, high-power car it's now presented as.

Hoonipigasus HRD Web 1 1200 X
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Thanks to a mid-mounted, twin-turbo flat-six engine, it pushes out a mind-bending 1044kW at sea level, although power drops significantly closer to the peak of the mountain – which is 4300 metres high in the Colorado sky.

At just under 1000 kilograms, Hoonigan Racing Division and BBi have resorted to active suspension to keep the pink Porsche as stable as possible along the 20 kilometre course, with GPS data from previous events being loaded into the car's suspension management system to help.

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Despite Block's recent non-competitive exploits at Pikes Peak in the first installment of Climbkhana in the methanol-fuelled Hoonicorn Mustang, the former World Rally Championship driver said this year's assault would be special.

“The Pikes Peak Hill Climb is one of the big reasons as to why I’m a rally driver,” said Block.

“The list of drivers who have raced and won this hill climb includes many of my heroes: Walter Rohrl, Ari Vatanen, Michelle Mouton, Sebastien Loeb and Rod Millen to name a few.

"I’ve always wanted the chance to race Pikes Peak at the top level and compete for an overall win – and with our team and BBi Autosport creating this amazing Porsche, we’ve got a good shot!

"With Trouble's [Trouble Andrew aka Guccighost] wild livery, inspired by one of the most famous Porsches in history, we’ll be hard to miss. I’m stoked to be a part of this iconic race and totally up for the challenge to add my name to those that have gone the fastest overall in the most technically challenging hill climb on the planet.”

Ken Block Porsche Pikes Peak Hoonipigasus 4
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Speaking of that livery, motorsport enthusiasts will recognise it as being a tribute to the colours adorned by Porsche's 917/20 at Le Mans in 1971, a car affectionately known as the "Pink Pig".

As well as the car's colour, its number font has been retained from the original racer, although its new name comes thanks to major sponsor Mobil's "Pegasus" logo adorning the rear guards.

Block may struggle to beat the outright record set by Romain Dumas in a Volkswagen ID.R back in 2018, but he is in contention to take outright honours for the first time.

Jordan Mulach
Contributor

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