Colorado, USA

The Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, a gruelling 12.42-mile ascent nicknamed the "Race to the Clouds," witnessed a surge in electric vehicle (EV) dominance this year. While a heavily modified Ford truck took the overall crown, several production EVs shattered records, highlighting their advantage in the thin air at high altitudes.

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Unlike traditional gas-powered vehicles that require large engines to compensate for reduced oxygen at Pikes Peak's starting elevation of 9,390 feet, EVs excel due to their lack of reliance on combustion. This year's race saw the Rivian R1T Ascend Quad Max, Hyundai's Ioniq 5N, and the awe-inspiring Ford SuperTruck showcase the exciting potential of EVs on this challenging course.

The Rivian R1T, in its unmodified form, surprised audiences by claiming the record for any production truck, gas or electric, with a time of 10:53.883. This impressive feat even surpassed the 2018 Tesla Model 3 Performance. However, the celebration was short-lived as Hyundai's Ioniq 5N, driven by Ron Zaras, snatched the unmodified electric vehicle record mere moments later with a scorching time of 10:49.267. The 5N narrowly missed the production SUV record held by the Bentley Bentayga, showcasing the razor-thin margins and fierce competition at Pikes Peak.

Hyundai didn't stop there. They entered a modified Ioniq 5N TA boasting strategic software tweaks and aerodynamic enhancements. This machine, piloted by Dani Sordo, secured the title of the fastest electric modified SUV with a time of 9:30.852, beating even the highly regarded modified Tesla Model S Plaid.

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The undisputed king of the hill, however, was the monstrous 1,400-horsepower Ford F-150 Lightning "SuperTruck." Despite a mid-race shutdown costing valuable seconds, the SuperTruck conquered the course in 8:53.553, the only vehicle to break the 9-minute barrier. While undeniably impressive, this achievement fell short of the record set by last year's Ford SuperVan, a similarly modified electric Ford Transit, which clocked in at 8:47.682. Interestingly, both Super vehicles were driven by Romain Dumas, the overall record holder in the Volkswagen ID.R.

The Pikes Peak International Hill Climb served as a testament to the growing dominance of EVs. With continuous advancements in battery technology and electric powertrains, it wouldn't be surprising to see future races entirely dominated by silent, electric contenders leaving gas-guzzlers gasping for air in their wake.