How do you build a car capable of breaking the outright Pikes Peak record? For four-time winner Robin Shute, the answer was to take everything he’d learned developing his heavily modified Wolf GB08 and start again with a clean-sheet design built specifically for the mountain.
Listen on SpotifyListen on Apple Podcast
👉 Use the code ‘PODCAST500’ to get $500 OFF HPA's VIP Package: https://hpcdmy.co/podvip
In this episode of Tuned In, Robin takes us through the development of the Sendy Club V2 car and the decisions behind its design. We discuss starting with an F4 tub, suspension geometry, aerodynamics, tyre selection and why adding more power or all-wheel drive doesn’t necessarily make a Pikes Peak car faster.
We dive into the Synergy-built, BMW S1000RR-derived V8, turbocharging it for around 800hp and the challenges of maintaining power at 14,000 feet. Robin also explains the move to Cosworth electronics, traction control, anti-lag, cylinder pressure monitoring and the extensive dyno development behind the engine package.
The conversation also gets into CAD, CFD, generative design and Robin’s extensive use of metal 3D printing. We also discuss the car’s Pikes Peak debut, where despite an electrical issue affecting traction control on race day, Robin finished second overall and set a personal best, with more power, less weight and significantly more downforce still to come.
This episode is packed with insight into what it takes to engineer, build and develop a competitive race car from the ground up. From engine development and electronics to aerodynamics and manufacturing, Robin’s approach shows just how far a small, determined team can push modern engineering in pursuit of the outright Pikes Peak record.
Photo credit: Larry Chen
👉 Use the code ‘PODCAST500’ to get $500 OFF HPA's VIP Package: https://hpcdmy.co/podvip
Follow Robin here:
Instagram: robin.shute
Youtube: thesendyclub
Links:
Robins first episode
047: 650hp, 2 tons of downforce, and ZERO visibility
Simon Longdill
111: He Wasn’t Impressed With The Engines On Offer, So He Built His Own
Timestamps:
0:00 The Ultimate Pikes Peak Build? Chasing the Outright Record
4:14 Can you give us the quick version of how you got to where you are today?
5:56 Can we compare electric vs combustion up Pikes Peak?
11:12 How close are you to the outright record?
15:00 How do you combat a rough road with a low aero car?
17:11 What was the old car you were racing?
24:29 How are you applying Antilag?
27:34 Can you learn anything from testing for Pikes Peak?
31:13 What happened to the Wolf car?
37:56 How did you get started with the Sendy Club V2 car?
41:51 Deciding on an engine for Pikes Peak
52:32 Did the engine package tick all the boxes straight away?
55:23 Why did you move to Cosworth electronics?
1:02:22 How did you add cylinder pressure sensors?
1:04:55 What traction control strategies are you using?
1:07:04 How did you design the intake plenums?
1:11:00 Why have you leveraged 3d metal printing so much on this car?
1:16:00 What’s the reliability of a 3d printed exhaust manifold?
1:23:31 What is Air Shaper and how does it work?
1:32:31 What is generative design and why would you use it?
1:37:08 Are you using F4 suspension kinematics?
1:39:36 Does the car have any bump steer?
1:41:54 How did the new car go on its first test?
1:45:25 How did the car go at Pikes Peak?
1:52:16 What is the game plan for 2027?
1:55:03 Final 3 questions
