Jim Morris Targets Pikes Peak Record in VW Golf 2026
Historic racer and Midlands businessman Jim Morris will compete in the 104th running of the world-famous Pikes Peak International Hill Climb in Colorado Springs, USA, on 21 June 2026. He received an invitation to the iconic event in early February this year.
Morris stays true to his family’s Volkswagen roots and has spent the past four years designing and building the ultimate Volkswagen Golf to tackle the legendary 12.42-mile course. Pikes Peak features 156 corners and climbs to an altitude of more than 14,000 feet, which makes it one of the most demanding motorsport challenges in the world. Morris aims to break the current front-wheel-drive record of 10 minutes 48 seconds, which has stood since 2018.
“Having read about the mystique of Pikes Peak in Autosport magazine since I was a child, it has always been my ambition to compete,” said Morris. “Just over four years ago, I embarked on this project with a clear goal — to build a car capable of breaking the front-wheel-drive record.”
Morris’s own preparation and restoration business, GTS Motorsport, based in Stoneleigh, Warwickshire, designed and built the car. It showcases the engineering expertise and in-house products of Morris’s motorsport companies, including Coventry-based Lifeline Fire & Safety Systems, Old Hall Performance Ltd, and Trident Racing Supplies based at Silverstone.
Commenting on the build, Morris added: “Many elements of the car have been designed, manufactured and supplied in-house. That’s a true testament to the skill and dedication of the talented teams across all our businesses.”
Morris draws on his global motorsport network, and leading partners support the project, including Alcon Brakes, Racetech Seats, Swindon Powertrain, Xtrac Transmissions, ATL Fuel Cells, MCS Suspension, Competition Supplies, Willie Poole Motorsport, VP Racing Fuels and Red Line Synthetic Oil. Renowned aerodynamicist John Iley designed the car’s aerodynamic package.
The Volkswagen Golf produces over 500 bhp and will start an extensive testing programme in mid-February before the team ships it to Colorado in early April. The team will then run further testing on the mountain itself ahead of the legendary ‘Race to the Clouds’ in June.
