Radford Readies One-Off, 700-HP Type 62–2 Race Car for the Upcoming Pikes Peak Event

Radford Motors is a global luxury automotive brand with British roots. The company develops contemporary luxury commissions true to classic and timeless designs, following a straightforward motto: "Design. Build. Drive." One of its vehicles is the Type 62/2, developed in partnership with Lotus. But now, the company has prepared a one-off version of the car specifically for Pikes Peak.

Efforts from teams all around the globe, such as key partners and suppliers, lead to the creation of the Pikes Peak Edition Type 62-2. For instance, the design was completed in France, the drivetrain was produced in Austria, and the 3D printing of the car's carbon monocoque was carried out in the UK. The final assembly took place at Radford's new HQ in California.

Rally and race car driver Tanner Foust will be behind the wheel of this vehicle at this year's hill climb course – he has proven his capabilities by earning a class win at the 2021 edition of the event. So, the question is: does the car have what it takes to enable him to get another victory? Let's take it step by step and see how the one-off vehicle was built.

The mind behind the design of the Pikes Peak Edition is Alan Derosier of Legend Automobiles – everything was engineered with the hill course in mind. For example, a massive rear wing was fitted, as well as a complex cooling system that handles the increased power output and the decreased air density at Pikes Peak.

Derosier collaborated with Sam Ofsowitz of Crown Concept to bring the concept to life via CAD (computer-aided design). Stratasys took care of the prototype bodywork and tooling - more than 70 parts were 3D printed at the company's HQ in Minnesota, including the front splitter, fenders, brake ducts, and more. And finally, Aria supplied the composite materials for the vehicle.

The car's exterior is wrapped in the iconic black and gold JPS (John Player Special) livery, as Radford now owns its trademark. In fact, this is the first time in quite a while since the JPS colors appear again in international motorsport – Ayrton Senna and Johnny Dumfries last drove the F1 cars wrapped in black and gold in 1986.

Inside, you'll discover a central seating position with an FIA-approved Tillet lightweight seat, which tips the scales at just 3.7 kg (8 lbs.).

As I mentioned before, everything on this car is made to help it tackle the challenging mountain course. Its performance components perfectly reflect its purpose. The Type 62-2 Pikes Peak Edition weighs only 861 kg (1,898 lbs.), featuring the same bodywork as the standard Type 62-2.

However, the body was widened by 230 mm (9 inches), boasting a full composite monocoque, as opposed to the aluminum-based chassis of the road car. Other changes include a large gooseneck airfoil and a newly designed underbody. Needless to say, extensive computer simulations were done to ensure optimum aerodynamic efficiency and as much downforce as possible.

Of course, the vehicle was equipped with an appropriate drive train, enabling it to achieve good performances in the race. JUBU Performance developed a bespoke drivetrain that produces 710 hp (529 kW) from a supercharged 3.5-liter V6 DOHC engine connected to a paddle shift sequential gearbox. It enables the race car to achieve a 160 mph (257 kph) top speed, sprinting from 0 to 60 mph (97 kph) in under 2.2 seconds.

Radford teamed up with Mobil1 to curate an oil mix that provides excellent performance in the high-altitude climate of Pikes Peak. Furthermore, Optima Batteries has offered its lightest battery to be used in the car.

AP Racing's braking system delivers proper stopping power via carbon discs, pads, and a pedal box. The Pikes Peak Edition rides on new soft compound Yokohama tires fitted to Dymag carbon fiber wheels with machined aluminum centers, wider than those on the road-going Type 62-2.

Scarbo Performance's team, renowned for rapid development and engineering for complex racing programs, has also contributed to the race car's development since January.

Testing for the Radford Type 62-2 Pikes Peak Edition will begin at the Radford Racing School, the company's official test track in Phoenix, Arizona, where the road-going version of the car was also tested. The traditional testing sessions are the last steps before heading into the competition. We have little to wait until the exciting event starts, and we'll get to see the Type 62-2 Pikes Peak Edition in action.