Rivian Race to the Clouds- Special Edition

We sat down with the driver of the Rivian R1T for the Pikes Peak Hill Climb.

Author

John Rooney
June 21, 2023

June 21, 2023

It’s race week. In this captivating interview with Gardner Nichols, an engineer and test driver at Rivian, he shares his background in motorsports and his goals for the upcoming Pikes Peak Hill Climb. Gardner aims to break the production truck record and the production electric vehicle record, showcasing the performance of the Rivian R1T. He discusses the challenges posed by unpredictable weather conditions and highlights the minimal modifications made to the truck, emphasizing its production-spec nature.

Gardner also reveals the advantages of driving an electric vehicle, such as instant torque and consistent power delivery, while acknowledging the weight and cooling considerations. With his daily driver being the R1T, he embraces the transition from a daily driver to a race truck. Gardner's meticulous approach to car setup and his adaptive driving style demonstrates his commitment to achieving optimal performance on the challenging Pikes Peak course.

Careers

See our job openings and learn about our $599 referral program below! Featured jobs include:

Mobility EVo is a sister brand of EPG, a company that focuses on helping electric and autonomous vehicle clients hire the best people through superior industry and product-specific staffing expertise.