Mitsubishi Motors to Enter a Pair of All-New MiEV Evolution II All-Electric Racecars in 2013 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb (PPIHC)
Cypress, California, May 16, 2013 – Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) will compete in the 2013 edition of the world-famous Pikes Peak International Hill Climb (PPIHC) to be held on June 30, 2013 with a pair of all-new MiEV Evolution II all-electric four-wheel drive (4WD) prototype race cars.
Driving the pair of all-new MiEV Evolution II racing prototypes will be six-time PPIHC motorcycle champion Greg Tracy and two-time Dakar Rally champion, MMC vehicle development/test driver Hiroshi Masuoka.
With the upgraded all-new MiEV Evolution II, MMC has set its sights on an outright victory in this legendary American race.
Greg Tracy said, “It has been a lifelong dream of mine to race Pikes Peak in a car. When Mitsubishi Motors inquired about driving the MiEVE Evolution 2 for this year’s race, I was very honored to be considered. I was so impressed watching Mr. Hiroshi Masuoka skills as he raced in the 2012 event and I have been longtime supporter of the electric movement. Having three children, I have been extremely interested in alternative energy solutions. It is an opportunity of a lifetime to race the 2nd generation Mitsubishi MiEVE Evolution II against legends such as: Mr. Masuoka, Rod Millen and Monster Tajima. I really believe this could be the electric car to beat in this year’s Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. I am ready to add a 7th victory and hopefully a new Pikes Peak record in the electric division to my resume. I am very proud to represent Mitsubishi Motors at the 2013 event.”
Held annually in Colorado Springs, Colorado, the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb (PPIHC) is an annual automobile and motorcycle hill climb to the 14,110-foot summit of Pikes Peak in Colorado, with entrants covering an elevation difference of almost 4,720 feet. First run in 1916, the hill climb celebrates its 91st running this year making it the second oldest U.S. motorsport event after the Indianapolis 500. Also known as “The Race to the Clouds,” atmospheric pressure, temperature, weather and other conditions vary significantly between the start and finish, requiring optimum vehicle tuning for maximum performance.
MMC entered the Pikes Peak competition for the first time last year with the i-MiEV Evolution all-electric prototype, finishing second in the Electric Vehicle division. Participation in the event brought a wealth of data in areas such as vehicle speed and acceleration, lithium-ion drive battery consumption, electric motor temperature and other key information that will play an important role in future MMC electric vehicle development.
Hiroshi Masuoka scored an impressive second-place finish in last year’s PPIHC in the Electric Vehicle division piloting the i-MiEV Evolution racing prototype.
“It has been a difficult decision for me to know that my Pikes Peak motorcycle career needed to end at last year’s Pikes Peak event. Before I knew that I would be racing with Mitsubishi Motors, I had made the decision to move to an advisory role for Amarok Racing [instead of racing the motorcycle]. I feel confident as ever, that the Amarok P1 will be the electric bike to beat and will set a new record. Knowing that one part of my career has closed, opened up the opportunity to do something new – which has been difficult and exciting at the same time. It has been a lifelong dream of mine to race Pikes Peak in a car and I have decided to accept the opportunity with Mitsubishi Motors, racing the MiEV Evolution II in the 2013 race. I am excited to compete and have a 7th record at Pikes Peak, in a car. ” said Greg.
CEO and Co-Founder of Amarok, Michael Uhlarik noted, “Amarok Racing is of course, disappointed that we won’t have Greg in the saddle of the P1A, but we know that his enormous experience and specific talent will be an asset as Greg helps us attack the mountain next month. We all know that Greg will crush the event with the electric Mitsubishi, further proof that the advance of electric motorsport is well at hand.”
In addition to competing in the event with two electric vehicles, Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc., (MMNA) is proud to announce its role as the Presenting Sponsor of the 91st running of PPIHC.
Like last year’s i-MiEV Evolution, the MiEV Evolution II combines parts used in production vehicles with a high-capacity battery and high-output motors specially-designed by MMC’s suppliers. Based on experience gained from last year’s race, MMC has added a high-tech Super All-Wheel Control (S-AWC) all-wheel drive system to the innovative four-motor (two-front/two-rear) drivetrain for increased handling and control in the MiEV Evolution II.
Together with a specially-designed body that provides reduced weight and improved aerodynamics, the MiEV Evolution II represents a significantly improved all-electric racing prototype.
| Length x Width x Height (in.) |
191.7 x 74.8 x 54.7 |
|
| Occupants |
1 |
|
| Drivetrain |
4WD |
|
| Motors(Made by Meidensha) | Configuration |
4 (2 front, 2 rear) |
| Maximum Output (kW) |
400 (100kW x 4 motors) |
|
| Battery(Made by GS Yuasa) | Maximum Capacity (kWh) |
50 |
| Chassis |
Specially-designed tube frame |
|
| Cowl |
Carbon-fiber |
|
| Tires (made by Dunlop) |
260/660-18 |
|
Hiroshi Masuoka began his Dakar Rally campaign in 1987 and became the first Japanese driver to post consecutive overall victories in the event when he won in 2002 and 2003.
Currently, Masuoka works at Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) where his many duties include vehicle development, training MMC test drivers, and running test drive sessions and other events both in Japan and overseas.
“We are able to tackle Pikes Peak a second time thanks to the support of our many partner companies. We were able to come up with a new and improved MiEV Evolution II based on the precious data and know-how we gained from last year’s race. We welcome Greg Tracy as our teammate. With his wealth of motorsport experience, we will give it our all for a one-two finish. Thank you for your continued support!,” says Masuoka.
As one of the elite Team Hot Wheels drivers, Greg Tracy, captured a Guinness Book of World Record when he performed the Hot Wheels Double Loop Dare at the 2012 X Games. Tracy is also one of the top stuntmen in Hollywood. Greg has been providing stunts for movies and commercials since 1991, in blockbuster movies such as: Act of Valor, The Avengers, GI Joe, Wanted, Talladega Nights, The Fast and Furious and in The Bourne Ultimatum for which Greg won the elite World Stunt Award. He has also won the Baja 1000, raced Formula 2000 and has gone over 210 mph on a motorcycle at the Bonneville Salt Flats during several World Record Attempts. At last year’s at Pikes Peak, Greg and his teammate were the first motorcyclists in history of race up the famous mountain in under ten minutes with the Ducati Multistrada.
Advics Co., Ltd.
dSPACE Japan K.K.
Dunlop Goodyear Tires Ltd.
ENDLESS ADVANCE Co., Ltd.
Enkei Corporation
GKN Driveline Japan Ltd.
GS Yuasa Corporation
Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
Kenwood U.S.A. Corporation
Linear Technology Corporation
MEIDENSHA CORPORATION
MIKUNI CORP.
Mitsubishi Corporation
Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
Mitsubishi Motors Dealers Association
NHK SPRING Co., Ltd.
Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK LINE)
NTN Corporation
Real Power
Tsuchiya Co., Ltd.
For more information on Mitsubishi Motors electric vehicles competing at Pikes Peak, please log on to media.mitsubishicars.com, and for more on the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb (PPIHC), please visit ppihc.com.
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc., (MMNA) is responsible for all manufacturing, sales, marketing, research and development operations for Mitsubishi Motors in the United States. MMNA sells coupes, sedans and sport utility vehicles through a network of approximately 400 dealers. In November of 2011, MMNA launched the battery-powered electric vehicle Mitsubishi i-MiEV as part of a corporate mission to offer consumers more environmentally responsible modes of transportation. This battery-powered electric vehicle technology addresses the need for vehicles that produce zero tailpipe emissions and support a growing agenda for sustainability. For more information, contact the Mitsubishi Motors News Bureau at (888) 560-6672 or visit media.mitsubishicars.com.
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