Nobuhiro 'Monster' Tajima: Three Time Pikes Peak Champion
At the recent Pikes Peak race, Nobuhiro 'Monster' Tajima managed to take the title for the third consecutive year.
Using a "very heavily modified" Suzuki XL7 , the 58-year-old Suzuki WRC monster managed to clock a time of 10-minutes and 18.250-seconds on the 12.5-mile course. None of the other competitors even broke the 11-minutemark making Tajima truly the King of the Mountain.
Unfortunately, due to slippery conditions on the tarmac and dirt, Tajima failed to complete the course in less than 10 minutes, losing the $25,000 prize offered by organizers. In fact, the conditions were so bad that the race was red-flagged a total of 14 times and several competitors had to be hospitalized.
"The car and tires were perfect, and I couldn't have driven the hill any faster," said Tajima.
"But the conditions were very challenging, especially at the top of the course, so I could never have broken 10 minutes. But I'll be back next year..."
With a course record of just a second off the 10-minute barrier, Tajima might just pull it off next time when the conditions are right.
+Top Gear: Big three for Monster
Comments
Anonymous
Bring this baby in to challenge the Evo and STi!!
BruceinCary
An ever so slightly modified Suzuki XL7!
driving courses
There are aircraft with smaller wings!
Seyth Miersma
Yeah. IÂ don't know what percentage of actual XL7 bits are left in this magnificent beast, but if someone told me 10% or smaller I wouldn't call them a liar.
Seyth Miersma
News Writer
Winding Road // NextAutos
Chris Paukert
If it has 2% parts commonality, I'd be shocked. Â
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Chris Paukert
Editor-In-Chief
Winding Road Magazine // NextAutosÂ
chartguy
Thanks for mentioning the second oldest race in the US.
There is talk that it may not last much longer.
http://www.gazette.com/sports/climb_38449___article.html/hill_cars.html
And he doesn't even discuss the never-ending battles with the Sierra Club (forced paving half the course).Â
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