Two-time Pikes Peak overall winner Rhys Millen will pilot a Bentley Bentayga at the 2018 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb.
RHYS MILLEN is hoping to emulate the Bentley Boys of the 1920s who tested their vehicles at Pikes Peak as well as by racing trains and in endurance racing and nab a third Pikes Peak victory in June. The current Production SUV record is 12:35.61, and Bentley claims Millen will need to average almost 100km/h across the 156-corner course to beat that.
New Zealand native Rhys Millen is the son of Rod Millen, the second most prolific Pikes Peak competitor in history with five overall victories to his name. Millen said: “The opportunity to race with Bentley at Pikes Peak is one that I couldn’t pass up. I visited the Bentley factory in Crewe, England last month and was amazed at the level of skill that goes in to handcrafting these cars. I also had the chance to drive the race-prepared car for the first time and was blown away by the performance that’s already available. I’m really looking forward to preparing for the race, competing on the mountain with Bentley and hopefully claiming a new SUV record.”
The Bentayga that Millen will pilot keeps its stock-standard W12 engine and cops very few alterations to keep it as close to production as possible, as per the Production Class rules. A full roll cage, on-board fire suppression system, racing seats and harnesses are the main changes to the interior. On the outside, the Bentayga will run a custom Akrapovic exhaust and Pirelli rubber. It will continue to ride on its air suspension.
Bentley’s Director of Motorsport, Brian Gush, said: “With two previous overall victories to his name, Rhys’ credentials speak for themselves. His knowledge of the course, his professionalism as a competitor and his enthusiasm for the project make him the perfect choice for us. In the Bentayga we’ve given Rhys the perfect opportunity to claim another Pikes Peak record, and I’m confident he can set an impressive time when the race takes place on 24th June.”
The Bentayga is currently being put through its high-speed paces in the US ahead of Pikes Peak.
