RTR Vehicles-Built Ford Bronco Modified for the Race to the Clouds, Targeting Exhibition Class Victory on June 21
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
COLORADO SPRINGS, CO — Loren Healy, two-time King of the Hammers champion and five-time Ultra4 Racing Champion, will make his first-ever attempt at Pikes Peak International Hill Climb on Sunday, June 21, 2026 — piloting El Bandito, the 1,000-horsepower Ford Bronco built by RTR Vehicles on a Ultra4 4400 chassis.
The run marks Healy's debut at one of motorsport's most iconic races and represents a rare crossover moment for off-road racing: the first time in 15 years that Ultra4 vehicles have officially competed at the legendary event.
“I’m really looking forward to competing at Pikes Peak International Hill Climb,” said Loren Healy. “[PPIHC] This has always been an event I’ve wanted to race at, and most years I have a conflict with the Baja 500 but once I saw the schedule allowed it I knew I had to try. The team and I have been extremely busy testing, modifying, and learning all we can about tarmac racing. Not sure what to expect but I know I’m going to have fun!”
While El Bandito was purpose-built for off-road exhibitions — boasting 1,000 horsepower, an Ultra4-inspired suspension setup with 20-inches of travel up front and 26-inches at the rear, and a full tube chassis. For Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, the RTR Vehicles Off-Road team has reconfigured Bandito specifically for the demands of 12.42-miles of paved twists and turns. Modifications include smaller-diameter 37-inch Nitto Terra Grappler G3 tires—down from 42s—which shaved about 35lbs of rotating mass per corner, which allows Loren better turn-in response and faster acceleration. A lowered center of gravity by about 6-inches, an additional 200lbs of weight reduced, enhanced cooling capacity, and short-course suspension improves cornering stability and acceleration through the course's 156 turns.
The 2026 event marks the 104th running of Pikes Peak International Hill Climb where Loren will navigate more than 4,700 feet from the start line to the 14,115-foot summit of, “America's Mountain,” as one of four entries from Ultra4 competing in the Exhibition class. The race is the second oldest motorsports event in America, with the green flag dropping at 7:30 a.m. on June 21.
Loren will be part of the live coverage of the Race to the Clouds on RACER Network, with Pikes Peak International Hill Climb Live coverage beginning at 7:00 a.m. MT on race day, June 21. Coverage is available via cable, satellite, and the RACER+ streaming app.
About RTR Vehicles
RTR Vehicles is an automotive design, engineering, manufacturing, and motorsports company founded by champion driver Vaughn Gittin Jr. and based in Concord, North Carolina, with its off-road facility in Farmington, New Mexico. Built around the Ready to Rock mindset, RTR creates turnkey vehicles and OEM+ quality components that bring modern styling, enhanced performance, and authentic enthusiast energy to Ford vehicles. RTR Vehicles also competes at the highest level of professional motorsports both on and off-road.
For more than 15 years, RTR has focused on Ford platforms including Mustang, Bronco, F-150, Ranger, and Mustang Mach-E, offering vehicles and components through Ford dealerships and direct-to-consumer channels around the world. RTR is known for pushing the boundaries of vehicle design and performance through both production-ready offerings and iconic special projects, including the Mustang RTR-X, Ken Block’s Mustang Hoonicorn, and the all-electric Mustang Mach-E 1400.
About Loren Healy
Loren Healy is one of the most decorated drivers in American off-road racing history — a two-time King of the Hammers Unlimited Champion and five-time Ultra4 Racing Champion from Farmington, New Mexico. His partnership with Vaughn Gittin Jr. and RTR Vehicles produced El Bandito, a machine that has competed in events ranging from King of the Hammers to the FAT Ice Race.
