The Volkswagen ID.R has set yet another blistering record. Following its overall records at Pikes Peak and Goodwood, and its record-breaking electric time at the Nurburgring, the ID.R has set the overall record time of 7:38.5 at Heaven’s Gate.
The road is an 11 km (6-mile) climb up Tianmen Mountain in China’s northwestern Hunan Province. With 99 turns, most of them switchbacks, the road is a tight, winding climb that rivals both Pikes Peak and the Nordschleife for turn-per-mile density.
“I will certainly remember this record run on Tianmen Mountain forever as my most spectacular outing,” said driver Romain Dumas. “I am proud to have set a record with the electric Volkswagen ID.R in China.”
Although the challenge of claiming a record was somewhat lessened by the dearth of previous record attempts, the run still proved an enormous challenge. According to Dumas, the team had considerably less information going into this run that it has previously had.
“The little information and testing we had beforehand made it a huge challenge,” explained Dumas. “The road is incredibly narrow and winding, but the drive was unbelievable fun with the electric power of the ID.R. The huge torque was a big advantage on the short straights, while the aerodynamics provided additional traction in the fast sections.”
Despite that, according to Sven Smeets, director of Volkswagen Motorsports, the team was good enough to rise to the challenge.
“This record attempt was a special challenge for the whole team,” said Smeets. “This was extremely unusual territory for a sports car like the ID.R and we had to take a whole new direction once again during preparation and car setup. The entire team – from the engineers, mechanics and logistics experts to our driver Romain Dumas himself – adapted in no time at all. I am proud of what the team has achieved. This record will take a special place in the history of Volkswagen in motorsport.”
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