Peugeot is ready for the “Race to the Clouds” after the 208 T16 Pikes Peak has successfully finished its first and only test “in the wild” ahead of the Colorado event.

Sébastien Loeb drove the 208 T16 Pikes Peak in the south of France on Mont Ventoux, famous for hosting a stage of the Tour de France cycling race. It was the first time the 875-hp car rolled outside Peugeot Sport’s factory or a closely guarded circuit.

“This is an important run because Pikes Peak is very different from a nice, smooth race track,” said Sébastien Loeb. “It is vital for us to evaluate the car on a terrain that is more like what we will find in the States. This road will give us a reasonably accurate idea…”

Although the tarmac on Mont Ventoux ends at an altitude of 1,909 meters – as opposed to 4,301 meters on Pikes Peak – the course provided a similar environment to the famous Colorado hill climb.

“It’s not the power that impresses me anymore; I’ve got used to it,” said Loeb of driving the Peugeot. “It’s the speed at which the corners leap out at you which is more striking than round a circuit where there’s always a ‘100-metre’ board to show you where to brake. Here, you can be in fifth or sixth gear and you suddenly see mountainside ahead of you; you have to work out for yourself where you need to brake…”

Next stop for Peugeot and Loeb will be Pikes Peak, where the team will begin testing on June 8 ahead of the June 30 race.

By Dan Mihalascu

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