Hoonipigasus is Ken Block’s Nasty 1,400-Hp Porsche 911 for Pikes Peak
The Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, also known as The Race to the Clouds, will host its 100th running this year on June 26. One of the biggest head-turners will definitely be the car driven by Ken Block.
Called “Hoonipigasus” after the winged stallion from Greek mythology, this vintage Porsche 911 has been radically transformed by Block and his team at Hoonigan Racing with the collaboration of Porsche experts BBi Autosport. The massive front splitter and even more gigantic rear wing waste no time catching the attention.
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Instead of a small four-cylinder engine, the Hoonipigasus boasts a twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre flat-six cranked up to 1,400 horsepower. It weighs a mere 1,000 kilograms and features a transmission tunnel, known as the “Chorizo Tunnel,” that goes from shoulder height down to the front axle, resulting in a lower centre of gravity. Meanwhile, the GPS Height-adjusted suspension is based on previous year’s telemetry.
As for styling, Block’s team called on internationally acclaimed street artist Trouble (Trevor) Andrew, a.k.a. Guccighost. The unique livery pays tribute to one of the most iconic racing Porsches in history, the 917/20 “Pink Pig” that raced only once in that paint scheme but has been a crowd favourite ever since.
By the way, Block’s first pass up Pikes Peak was back in 2005, in his first year ever in racing. It was in a slow rally car (approx. 200 horsepower) which was a major disappointment for him. Five years ago, he drove his methanol-fueled 1965 Ford Mustang Hoonicorn RTR V2—with 1,400 horsepower just like Hoonipigasus—in the Climbkhana: Pikes Peak film, which for him was a homage to how the race used to be raced (sideways!) when the road was all gravel.
“The Pikes Peak Hill Climb is one of the big reasons as to why I’m a rally driver,” Block said. “The list of drivers who have raced and won this hill climb includes many of my heroes: Walter Rohrl, Ari Vatanen, Michelle Mouton, Sebastien Loeb and Rod Millen to name a few. I’ve always wanted the chance to race Pikes Peak at the top level and compete for an overall win, and with our team and BBi Autosport creating this amazing Porsche, we’ve got a good shot!”
