Bruce Jouanny tackles Pikes Peak for charity

In June 2026, Bruce Jouanny will take part in the 104th edition of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, the world's most iconic hill climb race. Driving a Ligier JS2 R entered by Team RD Limited, Romain Dumas's team, the French driver will tackle a monument of motorsport, combining extreme technical challenge with a commitment to solidarity.

A return to the top for an endurance veteran

Passed by the car before making a name for himself in EnduranceBruce Jouanny remains closely associated with 24 Hours of Le Manswhere he notably distinguished himself with an 8th place in the general classification in 2009. It was also in Sarthe that his relationship with Jacques Nicolet, a key figure in the renewal of Ligier Automotive, was born.

Nearly twenty years later, this relationship takes on a new dimension with this American project: Jouanny will defend the colors of the French brand on the slopes of Pikes Peak, a terrain radically different from the circuits he knows.

A Ligier JS2 R adapted to the extreme

A benchmark in European competitions with over 130 cars entered, the Ligier JS2 R will serve as the basis for this adventure. To tackle the 19,9 km and 156 corners leading up to an altitude of 4,302 meters, the car will benefit from specific adjustments.

Weighing in at 1,040 kg, it will be equipped with mountain-specific suspension, ultra-soft Michelin tires, and a shortened Sadev gearbox. The 350-horsepower, 3,5-liter Ford V6 engine will run on oxygenated fuel, essential to compensate for the thinner air at altitude.

Entered in the Pikes Peak Open category, the car will be run by RD Limited, the team of Romain Dumas, the event's record holder. Preparation will include testing at the Alès circuit and participation in the Col Saint-Pierre hill climb in April.

“Objective 4302”: a sporting and solidarity project

Beyond the sporting aspect, this participation is part of a committed approach. With the support of several partners, including CRAI Technologies and the ITM Graduate School, Bruce Jouanny is leading a charitable project called "Objective 4302", in reference to the altitude of the summit of Pikes Peak.

This initiative aims to support research into chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a respiratory disease that affects nearly 300 million people worldwide and is the third leading cause of death globally.

The symbolism is powerful: as the car ascends to 4,302 meters, the oxygen will become increasingly scarce, directly echoing the respiratory difficulties associated with the disease. In this context, the Ride Life brand will donate 20% of merchandise sales to the CONDOR research network of the French-Language Pulmonology Society.

A first step before a more ambitious project

This 2026 program is part of a longer-term vision. The stated objective is clear: to accumulate experience in order to return in 2027 with a much more radical machine, the Ligier JS2 RS.

Featuring a carbon fiber chassis and a supercharged 650-horsepower V6, this future version aims to play a leading role on the American mountain. In the meantime, this first participation will serve as a working basis, with the ambition of laying the foundations for a sustainable project.

Between performance, learning and solidarity commitment, Bruce Jouanny thus approaches Pikes Peak 2026 with a dual mission: to compete in the race to the clouds while giving meaning to his sporting challenge.

ALSO READ > The list of entrants for Pikes Peak has been revealed.