Nine time World Rally Champion Sébastien Loeb and Peugeot Sport will contest the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb on June 30 – turning back the clock to Ari Vatanen’s famous “Race to the Clouds” assault from 1988.

The Frenchman will tackle the world’s highest hill climb – which culminates at an altitude of 14111 feet – at the wheel of the 208 T16 Pikes Peak which was specially engineered and built by Peugeot Sport. The event marks the French team’s return to the classic American event after its memorable victories there in 1988 and 1989.

Peugeot will count on its considerable experience it gained at the so-called ‘Race to the Clouds’ with the 405 T16 which claimed back-to-back victories in 1988 and 1989, in the hands of Ari Vatanen and Robby Unser respectively.

Sébastien Loeb counts among those who were struck by the film ‘Climb Dance’ which was produced to commemorate Vatanen’s resounding success.

Loeb has taken a step back from world class rallying after dominating the World Rally Championship for almost a decade – turning his attention to new challenges including the FIA GT Championship where he has already tasted success on board a McLaren.

The new Pike Peak challenger from Peugeot actually features the same rear wing as used on the Le Mans-winning Peugeot 908. The car will run on Michelin tires.