As Ford Authority reported back in February, the Ford SuperVan – an EV demonstrator model packing just shy of 2,000 horsepower – will compete at the 2023 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb later this month, and has already begun testing in Colorado ahead of the iconic event. However, it won’t be alone in terms of unique Blue Oval models, as the SuperVan will also be joined by the Shelby F-150 Super Snake Sport, a heavily-fortified version of the best-selling Ford F-150.
The Shelby F-150 Super Snake Sport will compete as part of a privateer effort under the Robert Prilika Motorsports banner with Robert Prilika behind the wheel, the same driver who piloted a 2022 Shelby GT500SE at least year’s race. Officials from both Shelby American and members of the Team Shelby club will also attend the race as part of the ongoing Carroll Shelby Centennial Celebration.
Each Super Snake Sport is modified with a Shelby-specific lowered suspension with unique rear traction bars, upper control arms, adjustable front and rear shocks, and a rear sway bar, along with an optional 775 horsepower upgrade for the Ford 5.0L V8 Coyote engine that includes a Whipple supercharger, a performance air intake with a high-flow filter, a carbon fiber air intake tube, an aluminum heat exchanger, billet throttle body, and high flow fuel injectors. Driving all four wheels, the pickup can scoot from from 0-60 miles-per-hour in 3.45 seconds. The Shelby F-150 Super Snake Sport destined for Pikes Peak is unaltered in almost every way from the one anybody can buy from the company, save for the addition of required safety equipment.
“The Shelby community was very proud of Robert Prilika and RPM Motorsports who drove the stock Shelby GT500SE up Pikes Peak in some very difficult conditions last year,” said Gary Patterson, president of Shelby American. “The Shelby ran flawlessly last year and provided a wealth of data for our continual development program. We’re returning with the RPM team for 2023 to compete with our four-wheel drive street truck in the exhibition class. Carroll Shelby would have been very proud of this effort, which celebrates his passion for every form of motorsports.”
We’ll have more on the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb soon, so subscribe to Ford Authority for more Shelby American news, Ford F-150 news, and continuous Ford news coverage.
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