The renowned racing champion joins forces with Hennessey towards lofty record goals.
Hennessey Special Vehicles, an elite Texas-based hypercar manufacturer, has announced a significant addition to its team by hiring renowned American racing champion David Donohue. Donohue, a name synonymous with high-speed racing and technical prowess, joins the team as a test driver for the Venom F5 hypercar, with a clear objective: to set new world records.
David Donohue’s illustrious career spans over three decades, marked by his remarkable achievements in prestigious racing events like the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the North American Touring Car Championship, and the Rolex 24 at Daytona. His recent accomplishment as the 2023 Pikes Peak record-setter further cements his status as a formidable force in the racing world. At Hennessey, Donohue will bring his extensive experience to the forefront, working closely with VP of Engineering Brian Jones and Chief Engineer John ‘Heinrocket’ Heinricy.
The Venom F5, a marvel of engineering and design, stands at the pinnacle of Hennessey’s achievements. It boasts a staggering 1,817 bhp from its twin-turbo V8 engine, pushing the boundaries of what a hypercar can achieve. Donohue’s role in refining and testing this beast on the track is pivotal. His insights and feedback will be invaluable in fine-tuning the Venom F5 to meet and exceed the extreme performance parameters set by the company. Donohue’s engagement with the Venom F5 has been extensive, and his initial impressions underscore the car’s exceptional capabilities. “The driving experience is consistently and relentlessly breathtaking,” he states, highlighting the car’s explosive power delivery and awe-inspiring performance.
This collaboration between a legendary racer and a pioneering hypercar manufacturer is a perfect synergy. Donohue’s extensive background in racing, testing, and development, including his work with BMW M3 GT and M5 Supercar, Dodge Viper GTS-R, Porsche GT3 R Pikes Peak EVO, and others, makes him an ideal candidate to take the Venom F5 to its limits. His decade-long experience as a private driving coach and his role as a Porsche 918 Spyder Client Relationship Manager for Porsche Cars North America further solidify his credentials.
John Hennessey, the founder, and CEO of Hennessey Special Vehicles, sees Donohue’s joining as a strategic move towards achieving the company’s ambitious goals. “With more than 25 customer Venom F5 models already built, we can now refocus our team on achieving speed records,” Hennessey remarks, underlining the importance of having an experienced driver like Donohue to realize the full potential of the Venom F5.
The recruitment of David Donohue is a testament to Hennessey’s commitment to excellence and its relentless pursuit of breaking new grounds in the hypercar segment. With the Venom F5, Hennessey is not just pushing the limits of automotive engineering but also redefining what is possible in the realm of high-speed performance. As the world watches, the team at Hennessey, bolstered by Donohue’s expertise, is poised to write a new chapter in the history of hypercar performance.