The 100th anniversary of the acclaimed Pikes Peak International Hill climb came to a close a few weeks ago with new records being set. One of the most exhilarating record-setting runs this past weekend was Robin Shute in his 484 kW Wolf GB08 TSC-FS.
Returning to the acclaimed hill climb with two wins already under his belt, Shute tackled the daunting course once again and delivered a stellar performance, securing a third win in the “Unlimited” division. During the pre-race qualifying runs, participants in the “Unlimited” division tackled the lower section of the hill, which spans from the start line to Glen Cove (approximately 8 km to 9.6 km). Shute managed to net a time of 3 minutes and 24 seconds during his run and found himself ahead of the rest of the class competitors in his category.
Fast forward to race day. A heavy fog hangs in the air at the foot of the hill. Limited visibility and damp conditions are serious obstacles to deal with when you’re trying to make every second count. Determined to come out on top with another under his belt, Shute kept pacing up the hill through the treacherous conditions and daunting cloud coverage.
Ultimately, Shute secured an overall victory in 10 minutes and 9.525 seconds, with the runner-up crossing the line in 10 minutes and 43.511 seconds. The closest anyone got to this time was three-time Pikes Peak Champion David Donner piloting a stock Porsche Turbo S who only managed to cross the line in 10 minutes and 34.053 seconds (which is the new Pikes Peak production car record set for this year).
A little insight into his weapon of choice that’s stuck with him since his Pikes Peaks win in 2019; the bespoke Wolf GB08. Powered by a turbocharged 2,0-litre K20 producing a whooping 484 kW in a car that Shute says weighs roughly 657 kg, including the driver and fuel! All the power is managed by a six-speed sequential transmission operated by a set of paddle shifters. The car’s power is sent to the rear wheels but, this year, the team ran with a set of Yokohama’s AD005 Super Formula tyres. A video uploaded to The Sendy Club’s Youtube channel gives a visceral onboard experience of Shute’s winning run.
