Pikes Peak !!

[moose]

Go "monster" !!!

[quote]Motorsport legend Nobuhiro ‘Monster’ Tajima has driven his Suzuki XL7 into the record books at the famous Pikes Peak International Hill Climb in the United States.

On July 21 the Japanese racing legend posted the fastest run ever recorded in the unlimited division at the annual ‘Race to the Clouds’.

Monster’s run of 10:01.04 seconds eclipsed the previous best time by more than three seconds.

“The car was fantastic,â€

[cj]

If you read his report on the drive the conditions weren't that favourable to start with and he couldn't go flat out. Be interesting to see how quick he goes next year as he already has thoughts on how to make it quicker still.

[flyinwall]

i didnt think he could make it much quicker than it already is

[cj]

Race Day (7/21)
From "Tajima's Talk" http://www.suzukisport.com/motorsport/h ... index.html

Thank you for your encouragement! I set the new world record.

Looking back at the race, I realize the greatness of Pikes Peak Auto Hill Climb and the toughness of the goal to beat the record.
I started competing in this race in 1988. It is really fantastic for me to set the record at this memorable 85th competition and the 20th challenge for me and to let a Japanese name be part of this race history.

-Race Report

21st July
The weather was fine. There was no cloud in the sky in the morning. When all ceremonies finished, the Car No.1 started.

In the past, the 2 wheels divisions used to start first, and then, the 4 wheels divisions. But 4 wheels divisions were often hit by bad weather in the latter half of the race; therefore the order has changed this year. I was the last one to start in the 4 wheels divisions.

Though the beginning of the Lower section is asphalt, it was wet and slippery because of last night's rain and sand scattered everywhere on the road. I carefully chose the line and went to the Picnic Ground.

Then I went to the first gravel section after the picnic ground. It was so gravelly, so rough and heavily wet because of last night's rain that it prevented me to reach a higher speed. I was in a hurry but at seeing the gallery encouraging me at Glen Cove, I thought that the time was good. So, I relaxed and went to the tarmac section.

After passing the Double Cut in the Middle section, the course became a sharp climb. The altitude was almost 4000m above the sea level. It started to be difficult to breathe. The engine also seemed to have difficulties generating power. Then I saw a lot of fans waiting for me at the Devils Play Ground. Some of them were even waving Japanese flags. How supporting they were!

Finally I reached the Upper section. It was the high speed gravel road, the typical road of Pikes Peak. I had confidence on this road because I was the fastest to run during the practice days on this section. But the road conditions were worse than the gravel part of the Lower section. I did my best but I didn't manage to increase the speed.
I had the feeling that I could stay on the course only thanks to the FALKEN tires especially made for this race.

Contrary to my "in hurry" state of my mind, it was getting more and more difficult to breathe. The engine and the turbochargers on the car were also gasping for air.

-Just this close to the goal...
I rushed in the finish line bearing the difficulty of breathing and taking care of the machine.

The clock indicated ...10 minutes 1.408 seconds! Wow! I have broken the record! I have become the first Asian champion and the new record holder. Considering the ground conditions, it was a good time though I couldn't break the 10 minutes barrier. I am satisfied with this year's result.

At the same time, many ideas to break the 10 minutes barrier have emerged in my mind! Just thinking about it makes me really excited.

Finally I would like to thank all the sponsors, supporters, fans and team staffs from the bottom of my heart.

Sincerely,
From Pikes Peak, Colorado Springs
SUZUKI SPORT Nobuhiro Tajima



-Race Day

Driver Car No. Halfway Picnic Ground Glen Cove Sixteen Mile Finish Line
NobuhiroTajima 1 01:42.197 04:29.191 07:03.878 10:01.408

Nobuhiro Tajima, the president of Susuki Sport won the 85th Pikes Peak International Hill Climb in ten minutes and one seconds, breaking the record previously held by Rod Milen for thirteen years.

The precise record set by "Monster" Tajima and SUZUKI SPORT XL7 Hill Climb Special is as below;

Nobuhiro Tajima ran the first section to "Picnic Ground" in the elapsed time of 1'42"197, the second section to Glen Cove in 4'29"191, the third section to 16mile point in 7'3"408, then the last section to the finish line in 10'1"408.
His record will be written in the Guinness Book of Records.

Though he has been delighted at his victory, he has set new goal has started to plan.

-"Break the ten-minute barrier"
Today is not the end of a goal but the start of new challenge. Our challenge to return to the Pikes Peak in 2008 to rewrite his own record has already begun

[DiddyZook]

"Monster’s Suzuki XL7 features a twin-turbocharged 3.6-litre V6 that produces a stunning 750 kW (1007 horsepower) at 8500 rpm and 1000 Nm of torque at 6250 rpm."


750kw Zook

[MightyMouse]

There you go cj... the ideal engine transplant for your bling....

[nicbeer]

didnt he break the record with the monster vitara (escudo) as well.

edit - more pics








sweet rig.

Nic

[eXc]

There was an in car video made in the 80s (?) which was quite fun to watch. I am sure it would be on youtube etc for those interested.

[St Jimmy]

that was ari vartion [spelt his name wrong] in a lancer beta no not a mitsa they had a camera inside and out as he went for it scarry stuff

[nicbeer]

that was ari vartion [spelt his name wrong] in a lancer beta no not a mitsa they had a camera inside and out as he went for it scarry stuff

ummm u will find it is called climb dance and it is in a peugeot 405 mi16 pikes peak special made in 1988.

there may have been one in a lancia beta but not with ari

[St Jimmy]

that was ari vartion [spelt his name wrong] in a lancer beta no not a mitsa they had a camera inside and out as he went for it scarry stuff

ummm u will find it is called climb dance and it is in a peugeot 405 mi16 pikes peak special made in 1988.

there may have been one in a lancia beta but not with ari

thats right i'm old so i forget things thanks for that

[Dozoor]

Monster Magic

[Gwagensteve]

There was an in car video made in the 80s (?) which was quite fun to watch. I am sure it would be on youtube etc for those interested.

I first saw climb dance in the early '90's. It is mind boggling.

I watched it again on Youtube not that long ago, and it is still amazing, but I didn't notice back in the day that the sound is not in sync with the car at all- it sounds like they just edited in a whole bunch of in car sound recording to give it the right effect. The tacho, when it is visible in the shot, bears no relationship to the noise.

Most people think Ari Vatanen won that year. He didn't- the event was won by Walter Rohl in an Audi Quattro Sport with around 650HP. Rohl's Audi had the first ever DSG gearbox, developed by Porsche.

Pikes Peak was an area where outlawed Group B rally technology could still be employed.

Rod Millen's record was set with a "celica" running about 1000hp from 2 litres. The car was boost compensated for the increase in altitude, so as barometric pressure dropped, boost was wound in. I think it topped out at about 40psi.

Rod Millen was the first guy to use oxygen.

PS there was some speculation that the whole road was going to be paved by this year - obviously not. The dirt is actually sprayed with a traction compound to improve times.

All up it is fabulously insane motorsport - I am very glad it still exists.

*sad nerd mode off*

Steve.

[cj]

All up it is fabulously insane motorsport - I am very glad it still exists.

Me too and also "Race to the Sky" in NZ.

I used to go and watch those guys when they were rallying way back when. Very

[cpmurray]

I watched it again on Youtube not that long ago, and it is still amazing, but I didn't notice back in the day that the sound is not in sync with the car at all- it sounds like they just edited in a whole bunch of in car sound recording to give it the right effect. The tacho, when it is visible in the shot, bears no relationship to the noise.

I think you will find that it is the boost guage, not the tacho.

Most people think Ari Vatanen won that year. He didn't- the event was won by Walter Rohl in an Audi Quattro Sport with around 650HP. Rohl's Audi had the first ever DSG gearbox, developed by Porsche.

Actually if you look at the end of the video it states that Robbie Unser won the year the video was made in another Peugeot 405T16. I think Audi stopped going to Pikes Peak after 87 to concentrate on circuit racing.

[mud4b]

that was ari vartion [spelt his name wrong] in a lancer beta no not a mitsa they had a camera inside and out as he went for it scarry stuff

ummm u will find it is called climb dance and it is in a peugeot 405 mi16 pikes peak special made in 1988.

there may have been one in a lancia beta but not with ari

spot on , i have been following this basically since it started and i was a tiny tott.... love it and yes the name is spelt wrong.... ari is on myspace for people that want to talk to him... he will ask you first off "do i know you"

bwahahhahah such a classic guy...