Rhys Millen’s (Nearly) Bone-Stock Bentley Bentayga Is Ready For Pikes Peak

The name Millen carries a lot of weight at Pikes Peak. Rod Millen won the famous hillclimb event no less tha five times in a (heavily modified) Toyota Celica. And his son Rhys won twice – first in a Hyundai Genesis Coupe, then in an electric prototype – which still holds the record in its class (though Volkswagen may have a thing or two to say about that this year). Now Rhys Millen is returning for this year’s Race to the Clouds in the vehicle you see here.

It’s a Bentley Bentayga that, as we’ve previously reported, is all but completely bone-stock. To meet the regulations, its interior has been stripped and fitted with a full roll cage, racing seat, and fire-suppression system.

It also has an Akrapovic exhaust fitted, and the optional Styling Specification Kit – complete with carbon fibre front splitter, diffuser, side skirts, and rear spoiler – that any customer can order from their local dealership. But otherwise, it’s as close to showroom stock as the rules will allow. It still required six months of preparation, but now it’s ready – complete with Radium Satin (read: electric yellow) paintjob and sponsor decals.

“We’ve honed the Bentayga’s incredible abilities and ensured we have a car for Pikes Peak that’s both safe and fast through two very productive test sessions with the Bentley Motorsport team,” said Millen. “The course is one you can only attack with a car that can gain and lose speed very quickly, because it’s so tight and twisty. The combination of 600 bhp, 664 lb ft (900 Nm) and carbon ceramic brakes means that the Bentayga can accelerate and decelerate incredibly hard – and that’s what I’ll be counting on for my run. I can’t wait to get started at the mountain later this week.”

If Millen’s going to take the record for production vehicles at the event this year, he’ll have to average over 60 miles per hour along the 12.42-mile course and its 156 corners. And we’re eager to see how he manages it in a vehicle that – even after 300 kg (661 lbs) have been stripped from the interior – still weighs a solid two tons.