Monster Tajima and his Suzuki SX4 hill-climb special – Click above for high-res image gallery
While Rhys Millen and his new Hyundai V8 powered Pikes Peak challenger have been getting the most attention, Nobuhiro "Monster" Tajima has no intention of letting Millen capture all the glory without a fight. Tajima has been the dominant force at Pikes Peak in recent years and is the current overall record holders at 10:01.408, surpassing Rod Millen's run in 2007.
Tajima is back in Colorado this week with the latest edition of his Suzuki SX4 hill-climb special. The SX4 is powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.1-liter V6 generating 910 horsepower and 655 pound-feet of torque in a car that weighs just 2,425 pounds. Tajima has spent plenty of time in the wind-tunnel since last year's race refining the shape of his car to maximize down-force and reduce drag. It should be quite a battle on Sunday as the Tajima-Millen conflict resumes.
[Source: Suzuki]
SUZUKI'S MONSTER TAJIMA AND PIKES PEAK: 'PEAKING' MEETS PERFECTION
*Monster mashes the pedal in pursuit of fifth consecutive win and elusive 10-minute barrier.
*Team Monster Sport accepts challenge from Hyundai racer Rhys Millen.
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (June 23, 2010) – Driving his modified 2010 Monster Sport (Suzuki) SX4 Hill Climb Special, Nobuhiro "Monster" Tajima will further solidify his race to the clouds reputation with the pursuit of his fifth consecutive overall win and retention of his illustrious record at the 88th edition of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb on Sunday, June 27.
Monster Tajima first challenged Pikes Peak, North America's second oldest motorsports event, in 1988. His first win in the Unlimited division took place in 1993, followed by his second overall title in 1995. Fast (make that 'very fast') forward to 2006, and his overall win that year primed the pump for a record-breaking run of 10 minutes and 1:41 seconds in 2007.
Monster Tajima will be defending his king of the mountain title against several worthy competitors, including the respected effort of Rhys "We Fear No Monster" Millen, who will pilot an aggressively modified Hyundai Genesis against him in the unlimited class. In this world-famous race to the clouds, may the best, and fastest, man win.
2010 Monster Sport SX4 Hill Climb Special
Based on a Low drag and High down force concept developed for the 2009 Pikes Peak race and following exhaustive tests in the Monster Sport wind tunnel facility, the 2010 Monster Sport SX4 Hill Climb Special has undergone extensive aerodynamic changes to adapt better to the modified road surface, which now consists of more smooth tarmac and less gravel than was present during last year's race. Monster Sport has also further developed the 3100cc Twin Turbo Monster Special V6 powerplant, now boasting an impressive 910 horsepower and 90.5 kg-m of torque.
For more information on the 2010 Monster Sport SX4 Hill Climb Special and Team Monster Sport, please visit www.monster-sport.com/ppihc/.
About Suzuki
The Brea, Calif.-based Operations of American Suzuki Motor Corporation (ASMC) was founded in 1963 by parent company Suzuki Motor Corporation (SMC) and currently markets its vehicles in the United States through a network of more than 300 automotive dealerships and numerous other motorcycle, ATV and marine distributors in 49 states. With global headquarters in Hamamatsu, Japan, SMC is a diversified worldwide automobile, motorcycle, and outboard motor manufacturer. In 2009, SMC sold more than 2.3 million new cars and trucks and more than 2.8 million motorcycles and ATVs. Founded in 1909 and incorporated in 1920, SMC has operations in 196 countries and regions. For more information, visit www.media.suzukiauto.com. Suzuki can also be found on Twitter (@SuzukiAuto), Facebook (www.Facebook.com/SuzukiAuto) and YouTube (www.YouTube.com/SuzukiAutomotive).
*Monster mashes the pedal in pursuit of fifth consecutive win and elusive 10-minute barrier.
*Team Monster Sport accepts challenge from Hyundai racer Rhys Millen.
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (June 23, 2010) – Driving his modified 2010 Monster Sport (Suzuki) SX4 Hill Climb Special, Nobuhiro "Monster" Tajima will further solidify his race to the clouds reputation with the pursuit of his fifth consecutive overall win and retention of his illustrious record at the 88th edition of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb on Sunday, June 27.
Monster Tajima first challenged Pikes Peak, North America's second oldest motorsports event, in 1988. His first win in the Unlimited division took place in 1993, followed by his second overall title in 1995. Fast (make that 'very fast') forward to 2006, and his overall win that year primed the pump for a record-breaking run of 10 minutes and 1:41 seconds in 2007.
Monster Tajima will be defending his king of the mountain title against several worthy competitors, including the respected effort of Rhys "We Fear No Monster" Millen, who will pilot an aggressively modified Hyundai Genesis against him in the unlimited class. In this world-famous race to the clouds, may the best, and fastest, man win.
2010 Monster Sport SX4 Hill Climb Special
Based on a Low drag and High down force concept developed for the 2009 Pikes Peak race and following exhaustive tests in the Monster Sport wind tunnel facility, the 2010 Monster Sport SX4 Hill Climb Special has undergone extensive aerodynamic changes to adapt better to the modified road surface, which now consists of more smooth tarmac and less gravel than was present during last year's race. Monster Sport has also further developed the 3100cc Twin Turbo Monster Special V6 powerplant, now boasting an impressive 910 horsepower and 90.5 kg-m of torque.
For more information on the 2010 Monster Sport SX4 Hill Climb Special and Team Monster Sport, please visit www.monster-sport.com/ppihc/.
About Suzuki
The Brea, Calif.-based Operations of American Suzuki Motor Corporation (ASMC) was founded in 1963 by parent company Suzuki Motor Corporation (SMC) and currently markets its vehicles in the United States through a network of more than 300 automotive dealerships and numerous other motorcycle, ATV and marine distributors in 49 states. With global headquarters in Hamamatsu, Japan, SMC is a diversified worldwide automobile, motorcycle, and outboard motor manufacturer. In 2009, SMC sold more than 2.3 million new cars and trucks and more than 2.8 million motorcycles and ATVs. Founded in 1909 and incorporated in 1920, SMC has operations in 196 countries and regions. For more information, visit www.media.suzukiauto.com. Suzuki can also be found on Twitter (@SuzukiAuto), Facebook (www.Facebook.com/SuzukiAuto) and YouTube (www.YouTube.com/SuzukiAutomotive).
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