AutoWorld.com - David Lee

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado -- In a spectacular display of power, speed and durability, General Motors conquered the 78th Annual Adephelia Pikes Peak International Hill Climb winning the first and second place overall spots.

Larry Ragland, driver of the Vortec-powered GMC Envoy with an Inline 6-cylinder engine, beat all the competitors' V8s on the Hill to capture the first-place overall spot with a time of 11:17.66. Per Ecklund, driving an Ecopower Saab 9-3 Viggen, grabbed second place overall with a time of 11:21.58.

"This was a great day," said Ragland. "My Vortec-powered GMC Envoy was flawless. We knew the engine was strong based on our recent win at the Baja 500 in Mexico, but I couldn't wait to bring it to the Peak and show the racing world that an Inline 6-cylinder could beat the V8s. What a powerhouse engine!"

GM's critically acclaimed powertrains - Duramax, Vortec, Northstar, Ecopower and Hydra-Matic - had a number of top finishes. "To bring eight vehicles to Pikes Peak was an incredible challenge," noted Harry Turner, off-road truck group manager of GM Racing. "This was a huge effort and we have been rewarded with a slew of successes. I am tremendously proud of the drivers and the entire Herzog Motorsport's team. This is a great way to celebrate the fourth of July!" Success at the Peak.

GM's Pike Peak entries included a GMC Sierra and Envoy, three Cadillac Seville STS vehicles, a Saab 9-3 Viggen, and two American Speed Association (ASA) Holden Commodore (Australian application) racecars. GM's drivers scored in several categories.

Fastest Overall: Larry Ragland, in his fourth consecutive win, charged up the Hill in 11:17.66. This time earned him top billing in the High Tech Truck and Sport Utility Vehicle class and the overall race victory. Ragland's Inline 6-cylinder engine will appear in the production GMC Envoy beginning in 2002.

Source: Autoworld.com

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