A new contender for this year’s Pikes Peak hillclimb on June 23 is the intriguing Quarkus supercar. The Quarkus marque was founded in 2020, by Frenchman Damien Alfano, with the goal of producing an extremely light yet powerful road/track car, which is now in its third iteration.

The Quarkus benefits from a light chassis and a light powertrain. The chassis doesn’t exploit a monocoque, but instead a carbon-fibre tubular frame is employed, together with carbon-fibre body panels. Alfano claims this is far more cost-effective than a carbon-fibre monocoque, while obtaining high rigidity and contributing to an overall car weight of no more than 600 kg.

Another key element of that very low weight is the use of a motorcycle power unit. Alfano has not officially disclosed his choice of a 1.0 litre I4, but this is believed to be a Suzuki GSX-R1000, a liquid-cooled four-stroke, with double overhead camshafts operating four valves per cylinder. It has an integral six-speed sequential gearbox, further aiding the quest for minimal weight.

The GSX-R1000 has, of course, been heavily modified by countless tuners since its introduction in 2001, so Quarkus is on solid ground in opting for a supercharged version, which it realistically claims produces 250 bhp. That is augmented by an electrical assist to the tune of 50 bhp – this ‘micro hybrid’ system minimising any additional weight.

The aerodynamic form of the Quarkus is reported to create its own weight in downforce at around 120 mph, although developments for the Pikes Peak adventure may alter that. The car will be run at Pikes Peak by four times winner Romain Dumas’ RD operation, which has competed in the event since 2012.

The driver will be the highly experienced Bruce Jouanny. Alfano says: “When Bruce told me his idea to climb this monumental summit, I simply could not say no. It spoke to my heart… and it’s an incredible opportunity to boost the development of the Quarkus. [I said] we have three months to complete what normally would take nine… Let’s go!”