PIKES PEAK, Colo. — Kenworth Truck Company will race a Kenworth T2000 in the Big Rig Division at the 82nd Pikes Peak International Hill Climb June 26.

Kenworth competes at Pikes Peak to maintain high performance, technological leadership in the truck industry and to further develop its engineering talent. This year, 16 Kenworth engineers are members of the dedicated volunteer race team that prepared Kenworth’s Pikes Peak entry.

Kenworth’s entry features a Caterpillar C15 engine with series-plumbed turbos for more low-end engine performance. It produces around 1,350 horsepower at 2,600 rpm and 4,000 pound-feet of torque at the starting line elevation.

“With 152 corners to negotiate on the course, it’s important that you have good response at lower engine speeds,” explained Jim Bechtold, Kenworth’s chief engineer. “We think we can gain a lot of time on the mountain with more response below 1,500 rpm.”

Last year Kenworth posted a time of 14 minutes 22 seconds, which was off our previous best of 13 minutes 57 seconds, Bechtold said.

The Pikes Peak International Hill Climb is run over a 12.42-mile course, which starts at an elevation of 9,400 feet and rises to the summit at 14,110 feet.

Veteran race driver Bruce Canepa of Santa Cruz, Calif. will pilot the Kenworth entry for the fifth consecutive year. Kenworth is again using a ZF 5HP500 5-speed Ecomat transmission modified by ZF to racing specifications. Bridgestone’s M711 low-profile 255/70R22.5 drive tires with hand-cut tread pattern are used for maximum traction, secured to Alcoa aluminum wheels with 20 beadlock screws per tire.

The Pikes Peak International Hill Climb website is www.ppihc.com, For more information about Kenworth, visit www.kenworth.com