In a thunderous display of electric power, the Ford SuperVan 4.2 has etched its name in the annals of racing history by conquering the iconic Mount Panorama circuit and setting not one, but three blistering lap records during the Thrifty Bathurst 500 event.
Piloted by seasoned racing ace Romain Dumas, the SuperVan 4.2 blazed across Mount Panorama with lightning speed, clocking an electrifying lap time of 1:56.3247. This feat not only secured the title for the fastest closed-wheel vehicle to navigate the 6.2-kilometre track but also sits atop the podium as the swiftest electric vehicle and commercial vehicle to ever grace the legendary racetrack.
The sheer velocity of the SuperVan 4.2 was nothing short of breathtaking, with speeds surpassing 300 kilometres (186 miles) per hour on the Mountain and Conrod straights. Sheer velocity that not only outpaced conventional petrol-powered contenders but also left more serious contenders in the rearview mirror, including an unrestricted Mercedes-AMG car, proving that the era of electric vehicles has well and truly arrived.
Mark Rushbrook, Global Director of Ford Performance Motorsports, lauded the monumental achievement in a press release, emphasising the dedication and innovation that went into resetting the benchmark lap time.
“There is a reason why we chose to bring SuperVan 4.2 to Mount Panorama after Pikes Peak,” said Mr Rushbrook. “There is nowhere quite like it in the world.” he continued.
With Mount Panorama serving as the ultimate testing ground, the SuperVan 4.2 showcased the pinnacle of EV performance, a testament to Ford’s relentless pursuit of excellence. For Romain Dumas, this victory marks yet another milestone in his illustrious career, following his record-breaking triumph at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb.
“This is the first time I have driven SuperVan 4.2 faster than 300km/h, and we left nothing on the table as we pushed for the fastest lap possible,” said Mr Dumas. “No one has ever driven a vehicle like SuperVan 4.2 around Mount Panorama, and certainly not this quickly.”
The challenges posed by Mount Panorama were distinct from those of Pikes Peak, yet the SuperVan 4.2 conquered both with unparalleled ferocity, leaving no doubt about its dominance on the track.
Indeed, the SuperVan 4.2 is no ordinary race car. Towering above its competitors and devoid of traditional fuel, it represents a bold leap into the future of motorsport. Sriram Pakkam, Manager of Formula 1 and EV Demonstrators at Ford Performance, highlighted the tireless efforts undertaken to optimise the SuperVan’s performance, culminating in its awe-inspiring display at Mount Panorama.
As the electrifying spectacle unfolded over two weeks at Mount Panorama, spectators were treated to a glimpse of what the future holds for motorsport. Andrew Birkic, President and CEO of Ford Australia, expressed his delight at sharing this historic moment with Aussie race fans, underscoring the invaluable lessons learned from the SuperVan’s exploits that will shape Ford’s future electric road cars.
With its triumphant campaign at Mount Panorama drawing to a close, the SuperVan 4.2 now sets its sights on new horizons, destined to leave an indelible mark on the Adelaide Motorsport Festival and the Rolex Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix. As Ford’s electrifying juggernaut continues to push boundaries, one thing is certain – the future of racing has never looked brighter.
