BATHURST, AUSTRALIA, Feb. 25, 2024 – In a hair-raising spectacle at Mount Panorama during the Thrifty Bathurst 500 event, the Ford Performance SuperVan 4.2 has zapped its way into the record books, leaving a trail of electric excitement. Dubbed the “Shockinator,” this electrifying van not only clinched the title for the fastest closed-wheel vehicle but also seized records for the speediest electric and commercial vehicle to conquer the 6.2-kilometer racetrack.
Piloted by the daredevil driver Romain Dumas, the SuperVan 4.2 surged through Mount Panorama in a jaw-dropping time of 1:56.3247, clocking in at over 300 kilometers (186 miles) per hour on the electrifying Mountain and Conrod straights.
The electrifying feat of the SuperVan 4.2 has sparked a new era for electric vehicles, leaving petrolheads thunderstruck. It even outpaced an unrestricted Mustang GT3 car, proving that in the race of volts versus V8s, electricity reigns supreme.
“The effort and expertise poured into resetting the Mount Panorama lap record for a closed-wheel vehicle are electrifying,” exclaimed Mark Rushbrook, Global Director of Ford Performance Motorsports. “Romain Dumas and our team have truly shocked the competition. There’s a reason we chose Mount Panorama after Pikes Peak – it’s a lightning bolt of a track!”
This marks the second time Romain Dumas has left his mark with the SuperVan 4.2, following his electrifying performance at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb last year.
“While both mountains are formidable, Mount Panorama and Pikes Peak pose vastly different challenges,” remarked Dumas. “Exceeding 300km/h in SuperVan 4.2 for the first time was electrifying. We pushed the boundaries to achieve the fastest lap possible, and the results speak for themselves.”
SuperVan 4.2 is no ordinary race car. Towering twice the height of a GT3 racer and weighing nearly 1800kg, this behemoth runs solely on electricity, leaving traditional fuel in the dust. Its monstrous appearance and lightning speed have electrified fans worldwide.
“For two weeks, the SuperVan team tirelessly worked to unleash the full potential of this electric marvel,” said Sriram Pakkam, Manager of Formula 1 and EV Demonstrators at Ford Performance. “Mount Panorama tested both the vehicle and the team, but we rose to the challenge, refining our strategy with every session.”
After its electrifying stint at Mount Panorama, SuperVan 4.2 will be whisked away to the Ford Proving Ground in Victoria, Australia, before making appearances at the Adelaide Motorsport Festival and the Rolex Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix.
As fans catch their breath from the electrifying spectacle, one thing is clear: SuperVan 4.2 has charged into the future of motorsport, leaving a trail of shockwaves in its wake.
