Romain Dumas and the 2 horsepower Ford SuperVan: “I like crazy ideas”

Romain Dumas can't hold still. In the space of two weeks, the Frenchman completed the 24 Hours of Le Mans in fourth place for Glickenhaus, before crossing northern Italy for the Mille Miglia, then flying to England, where he took part in the Goodwood Festival of Speed. The hill climb record holder with the Volkswagen ID. R is piloting a funny machine for the occasion, the Ford Pro Electric SuperVan.

The utility vehicle develops 2 horsepower thanks to an electric powertrain developed by Ford and Stard. “The project for Ford is to bring the SuperVan to life at Goodwood, explains the Alésien. Ford wanted to present something crazy at the Festival. This is why the secret was kept until the end. On the other hand, the car arrived at Goodwood without any prior running, except for a burn-in at an airfield on Wednesday! »

The @forduk SuperVan has got some serious launch power off the line! #FOS #gw_ford #fordsupervan pic.twitter.com/uptlDRTyLZ

- Goodwood FOS (@fosgoodwood) June 25, 2022

Romain Dumas knows electric vehicles well since his record tour with the ID. R in 2019. However, the Ford has nothing to do with the ID. A. “ It is much wider, heavier too: more than 2 tonnes! On the first section, we are not so bad, but the second part costs me dearly because the road is very narrow between the straw bales.

I went to 48''5, it's a crazy time with such a mass and dimensions of van. I can't go any faster, I'm still in front of the Porsche GT4 ePerformance electric. »

Romain Dumas has made up his mind; this Sunday afternoon, he should cede his climb record to Max Chilton and his incredible McMurtry Spéirling. “I think I’m going to lose this record. Their car is well suited, it is so small. From year to year, I feel that a competition is created in this Shootout. But the event is super nice and keeps its warm philosophy. »

ALSO READ > Will the McMurtry Spéirling beat Dumas' record at Goodwood?

It remains to be seen what future Ford has in store for its car. You can't spend so much time developing a style exercise for four days of riding in public! There must undoubtedly be something in the boxes; At least that's what Romain Dumas suggests, who was supposed to participate in Pikes Peak this year with this prototype.

“I met Ford officials during the 2021 Festival of Speed. Ford CEO, Jim Farley, was present at Goodwood with Roger Penske. These are two people I have known for some time. We talked together. The initial project focused on Pikes Peak. Unfortunately this could not be done due to a calendar problem this year, it was too complicated to set up. »

Then came the idea of ​​the SuperVan that they had already put forward on their side. I found it very amusing, I was immediately up for it.

You know that I like crazy ideas, he tells us with a frank smile. When passionate and funny people come together, it can result in beautiful things... I never stay still for very long! »