Pikes Peak 2026: A First Experience Full of Lessons for the Ligier JS2 R
The 104th running of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb did not deliver the outcome Bruce Jouanny, Team RD Limited and Ligier Automotive had hoped for. But this first appearance by a Ligier GT on the slopes of the legendary “Race to the Clouds” demonstrated the potential of the Ligier JS2 R in one of the most demanding environments in motorsport.
A Promising First Experience
Entered in the Pikes Peak Open category, the Ligier JS2 R competed against cars averaging close to 600 horsepower, compared with 350 horsepower for the Ligier GT.
Despite this significant power gap, the car proved competitive throughout the week, regularly setting the third- and fourth-fastest times in the category.
With a time of 4:15.660 in the Lower Section, Bruce Jouanny set the fourth-fastest time in the Pikes Peak Open category and the 18th-fastest time overall, across all categories, among the 72 competitors entered.
The performances achieved across the three timed sectors suggested a theoretical combined time of 9:56.106 and a realistic opportunity to fight for a podium finish in the category.
Faster Than the Category Average in All Three Sectors
An analysis of the times recorded throughout the week confirms the potential of the Ligier JS2 R over the 12.42 miles and 156 turns leading to the summit of Pikes Peak.
In each of the three sectors, Bruce Jouanny delivered times faster than the Pikes Peak Open category average:
Lower Section: 4:15.660, 25 seconds faster than the category average;
Middle Section: 2:46.259, 27 seconds faster;
Upper Section: 2:47.874, more than 32 seconds ahead of the average.
All of these elements highlight the potential demonstrated by the Ligier JS2 R on the American mountain.
A Race Cut Short
On race day, the adventure came to an end in the opening sector following an off-road excursion.
“Pikes Peak does not tolerate the slightest mistake,” explains Bruce Jouanny. “After an almost perfect week, this error is difficult to digest, but I take full responsibility for it. It will be part of my learning process. The potential was there, the car was fantastic to drive on the mountain, and I have only one desire: to come back and bring to fruition the work of everyone who supported and worked on this project, and finally take the car to the finish.”
While the sporting result was not the one the team had hoped for, the most important point remains that Bruce Jouanny emerged from the incident unharmed.
Throughout the week, the Ligier JS2 R covered nearly 45 miles on the slopes of Pikes Peak, allowing the driver, Team RD Limited and Ligier Automotive to gain valuable experience in this unique environment.
Above All, a Human Adventure
Beyond the sporting aspect, this first participation was also defined by a strong human adventure, driven by Bruce Jouanny, Romain Dumas' Team RD Limited and the Ligier Automotive teams.
“Pikes Peak is a challenge because of its format and its environment,” concludes Bruce Jouanny. “It is a unique and difficult race, and it is necessarily a group effort. I would like to thank the Ligier Automotive teams in Magny-Cours and RD Limited, who worked hand in hand. It was passion combined with the need to take on challenges that motivated us all.”
“We knew that Pikes Peak represented a unique challenge,” says Jacques Nicolet, President of Ligier Automotive. “This first experience with the Ligier JS2 R allowed us to learn a tremendous amount in an extremely demanding environment. The performances shown throughout the week demonstrated the car's potential. Even though the race ended prematurely, what we take away first and foremost are the lessons learned from this adventure and the enthusiasm it generated. This first chapter makes us want to come back stronger.”
Looking Ahead to 2027
As the first Ligier GT to take on the slopes of Pikes Peak, the Ligier JS2 R opens a new page in the brand's history.
The lessons gathered throughout this race week provide a valuable foundation for the future and are already fueling one ambition: to return to Pikes Peak in 2027.
Because while the mountain always decides the outcome, it also offers those who dare to challenge it lessons that no other circuit in the world can provide.
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Photo credit: Jusride.collective