Someone Wants To Build A Cadillac ELR Racecar For Pikes Peak, And You Can Help Fund It

Crowdfunding is a great way to get a start-up company up and running, or to donate to a good cause. It’s not an ideal way to raise money for building a race car, but we’re hoping Keith Stegath, owner of Advanced EV, can reach his $175,000 goal in order to put his vision for a Cadillac ELR racecar on the hillclimb course at Pikes Peak anyway.

EVs are becoming increasingly popular in the Pikes Peak International Hillclimb, with the competition for the fastest electrically-powered run up the hill growing each year. Stegath has ambitious plans for his ELR Pikes Peak program, with goals to get Cadillac to back the effort by donating two ELRs to the team. They will then upgrade the electric motor, add additional battery packs and presumably strip the car out like they would any other racecar.

It’s an interesting idea. Cadillac’s ELR looks rather similar to the CTS-V coupe the CTS-V.R racecar it’s based on, and may benefit from similar aerodynamic elements such as the rear wing and front splitter. The finish project has the potential to look pretty neat, but we’re not sure if it’s something Cadillac will be interested in pursuing. Especially considering the ELR’s underwhelming marketplace performance since its launch.

If you want to fund Stegath yourself, even if it’s only a $10 donation, he’ll let you drive the racecar if you can make it down his shop in Gainesville, Florida. You’ll also get the chance to drive it up the Pikes Peak course if you fork over $500, you just have to make it out to Colorado on your own as well. Check out his kickstarter campaign here.