Alpine and racing partner Signatech have announced their first entry in the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, the legendary American Race to the Clouds, on 25 June 2023. It will compete in the Time Attack 1 class. After making its debut run at Lurcy-Lévis on 25 and 26 April, two further testing sessions to be held at Drome and Val Thorens this summer.

The A110 Pikes Peak is a one-off model from Alpine that boasts more power (nearly 500bhp) and is lighter at 950kg, 132kg lighter than the A110 R. Everything has been specifically thought out by Alpine to cope with the subtleties of the 19.93km race to the clouds.

As you can imagine for a challenge like this, aerodynamics have been key to the build. Among the most impressive features are the pronounced splitters and deflectors on the ends of the spoiler and the imposing rear wing designed to generate downforce in the 156 corners the Alpine will encounter on the course.

All of these features have gone from carefully thought out plans to reality thanks to the collaborative work among the Alpine design office teams led by Raphaël Linari (design manager) and those of Signatech led by Lionel Chevalier (technical director) and François Letort (project manager).

Competing against modified and specialised production-based two and four-wheel drive vehicles in the Time Attack 1 class, the A110 Pikes Peak is facing its biggest challenge yet on the 12 miles Race to the Clouds. Another Raphaël, Raphaël Astier, is the driver tasked with winning the event, having already won the 2022 FIA R-GT Cup in the A110 Rally. Astier will be in the seat for the final testing in the South of France before going to the big event, something he has competed in four times previously.

This endeavour represents another string to the bow of Alpine, who are currently competitive in Formula 1 and have nearly 70 years of automotive history behind them.

The Pikes Peak International Hill Climb takes place in Colorado Springs on 25 June 2023.

Words: Mike Booth
Pictures: Alpine