Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[VIDEO: On board with Marcus Gronholm's Ford Fiesta at Pikes Peak]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/24/video-on-board-with-marcus-gronholms-ford-fiesta-at-pikes-peak/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/24/video-on-board-with-marcus-gronholms-ford-fiesta-at-pikes-peak/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/24/video-on-board-with-marcus-gronholms-ford-fiesta-at-pikes-peak/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


Ford Fiesta RallyCross "Peak Performance" - click above to watch video after the jump

As an homage to rallying's legendary Climb Dance video, the blokes at Motor Trend have teamed up with Ford and Marcus Gronholm to concoct a gorgeous new short film chronicling the rally champion's 2009 ascent of Pikes Peak in the Blue Oval's new Fiesta RallyCross. In the interest of clarity, this is not the same car that crashed earlier in practice - that was the #5 car of Andrea Ericksson, this is Gronholm's #3 - a car that looks to have made it to the top just fine, thank you.

Check out the 9+ minute Peak Performance film after the jump, with its breathtaking footage from various in and on-car cameras, it's a high-definition gem with great audio. Just for fun, we've also included its inspiration, the original Climb Dance film of Ari Vatanen's 1988 record-breaking Pikes Peak Hill Climb run in his Peugeot 405. Thanks to everyone for the tips!

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading VIDEO: On board with Marcus Gronholm's Ford Fiesta at Pikes Peak

VIDEO: On board with Marcus Gronholm's Ford Fiesta at Pikes Peak originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 24 Jul 2009 12:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Ari VatanenAriVatanenblue ovalBlueOvalclimb danceClimbDancefiestafiesta rallycrossFiestaRallycrossfordford fiestaFordFiestahill climbHillClimbMarcus GronholmMarcusGronholmmotor trendMotorTrendpeak performancePeakPerformancepikes peakpikes peak hill climbPikesPeakPikesPeakHillClimbFri, 24 Jul 2009 12:28:00 EST<![CDATA[Ten-minute mark remains untouched as Monster Tajima wins Pikes Peak with 870hp Suzuki SX4]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/20/images-needed-ten-minute-mark-remains-untouched-as-monster-taji/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/20/images-needed-ten-minute-mark-remains-untouched-as-monster-taji/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/20/images-needed-ten-minute-mark-remains-untouched-as-monster-taji/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Monster's Suzuki SX4 Sport - Click above for a high-res image gallery

They came. They saw. They were conquered. That pretty much sums up a thrilling Pikes Peak International Hillclimb for 2009 as Suzuki's legendary Nobuhiro "Monster" Tajima took overall victory yet again, fending off a formidable paddock of rivals, while difficult weather conditions dictated that the mythical ten-minute mark - as well as Monster's own 10:15 personal best - remained untouched.

This year the Suzuki team replaced its existing XL7-bodied challenger in with a purpose-built SX4 packing a 2.7-liter V6 with a massive 873 horsepower on tap. But among those eager to strip the Japanese champions of their domination were two-time World Rally Champion Marcus Gronholm driving a specially prepared Ford Fiesta and an 1150hp Ford RS200. Along with all the other pretenders to the crown, they were fed a heaping dose of humble pie by the Monster. Meanwhile drift champ Rhys Millen took the 2WD class victory in his Hyundai Genesis, pledging to return to the peak in the top-spec Unlimited class in an effort to reclaim the title which Monster took from his father Rod Millen, whose record stood from 1994 through 2007 when Suzuki bested the time. The books were just closed on this year's run up the mountain, but the competition's already heating up for next year.


Gallery: Nobuhiro "Monster" Tajima's Suzuki SX4 Sport

Continue reading Ten-minute mark remains untouched as Monster Tajima wins Pikes Peak with 870hp Suzuki SX4

Ten-minute mark remains untouched as Monster Tajima wins Pikes Peak with 870hp Suzuki SX4 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 20 Jul 2009 19:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hill climbHillClimbmillenmonstermonster tajimaMonsterTajimanobuhiro monster tajimanobuhiro tajimaNobuhiroMonsterTajimaNobuhiroTajimapeakpikespikes peakpikes peak hill climbpikes peak international hill climbPikesPeakpikespeakhillclimbPikesPeakInternationalHillClimbrhys millenRhysMillensteve millenSteveMillensuzukisuzuki sx4SuzukiSx4tajimaMon, 20 Jul 2009 19:26:00 EST<![CDATA[Rhys Millen attacks Pikes Peak in Hyundai Genesis Coupe]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/17/rhys-millen-attacks-pikes-peak-in-hyundai-genesis-coupe/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/17/rhys-millen-attacks-pikes-peak-in-hyundai-genesis-coupe/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/17/rhys-millen-attacks-pikes-peak-in-hyundai-genesis-coupe/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Rhys Millen's Hyundai Genesis Coupe at Pikes Peak - Click above for high-res image gallery

Rhys Millen continued his pursuit of the family business this week as he began his 18th attack on the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. As one of the most challenging hill climbs in the world at 12.4 miles and 156 turns, in some ways it's as close to running the Nürburgring Nordschleife as you're likely to get in America.

This is the first time Millen is making the run in his new Hyundai Genesis Coupe, and he's evidently driving the same car he has been using in Formula D drift events all year long - complete with the Hyundai V6 powerplant. In fact, the car was trucked to Colorado directly from last weekend's drift event in Las Vegas.

Millen took advantage of a practice session on the course three weeks ago to get a time this week that was 1.5 seconds per mile faster than he managed last year in a Pontiac Solstice that had three years of development. Speaking after Thursday's practice runs, Millen had this to say:
"Yesterday was the first day of practice in the middle section, approx. 3.0 miles. We ran faster than last years section time by 5 seconds ! Today was even better. Today we ran the upper section to the finish line and I'm still shocked to say this but we ran 27 seconds faster than last years section time. The car is working amazing, so predictable, so fast that I am driving like never before."
Hyundai spokesman Dan Bedore sent us a few pics to share, so check them out in our gallery below.


Gallery: Rhys Millen Hyundai Genesis Coupe at Pikes Peak 2009


[Source: Hyundai]

Rhys Millen attacks Pikes Peak in Hyundai Genesis Coupe originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 17 Jul 2009 09:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hill climbhillclimbhyundaihyundai genesishyundai genesis coupeHyundaiGenesisHyundaiGenesisCoupepikes peakpikes peak international hill climbPikesPeakpikespeakhillclimbPikesPeakInternationalHillClimbrhys millenrhys millen racingrhysmillenRhysMillenRacingFri, 17 Jul 2009 09:59:00 EST<![CDATA[VIDEO: Ferrari Scuderia Spider 16M completes Goodwood hillclimb in 59 seconds]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/06/video-ferrari-scuderia-spider-16m-completes-goodwood-hillclimb/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/06/video-ferrari-scuderia-spider-16m-completes-goodwood-hillclimb/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/06/video-ferrari-scuderia-spider-16m-completes-goodwood-hillclimb/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Ferrari at 2009 Goodwood Festival of Speed - Click above for high-res image gallery

We'll have our own images from last weekend's Goodwood Festival of Speed for you in a jiffy, but until then we thought we'd share with you the fun that Ferrari had on the Earl of March's state. The Italian exotic car maker brought three stallions to the party: the new California, 599 GTB Fiorano with the HGTE package and the limited edition Scuderia Spider 16M. While all three models participated in the legendary Goodwood hillclimb, the Scuderia Spider 16M put on a particularly impressive show, covering the 1.16-mile hillclimb in just 59 seconds.

After the jump you'll find in-car video of the Scuderia Spider 16M's hillclimb run, along with equally cool but slightly slower vids of the California and 599 gTB Fiorano. We've also included a gallery of high-res images showing exactly how much fun Ferrari had at Goodwood this year. Enjoy.


Gallery: Ferrari at 2009 Goodwood Festival of Speed


[Source: Ferrari]

Continue reading VIDEO: Ferrari Scuderia Spider 16M completes Goodwood hillclimb in 59 seconds

VIDEO: Ferrari Scuderia Spider 16M completes Goodwood hillclimb in 59 seconds originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 06 Jul 2009 15:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2009 goodwood festival of speed2009GoodwoodFestivalOfSpeedferrariferrari goodwoodFerrariGoodwoodgoodwoodgoodwood festival of speedgoodwood hillclimbGoodwoodFestivalOfSpeedGoodwoodHillclimbhillclimbscuderia spider 16MScuderiaSpider16mMon, 06 Jul 2009 15:28:00 EST<![CDATA[Infiniti Essence concept to run the Goodwood Hillclimb]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/27/infiniti-essence-concept-to-run-the-goodwood-hillclimb/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/27/infiniti-essence-concept-to-run-the-goodwood-hillclimb/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/27/infiniti-essence-concept-to-run-the-goodwood-hillclimb/#commentsFiled under:


Infiniti Essence Concept - Click above for a high-res image gallery

When Infiniti decides to tackle a new market, it sure knows how to make an entrance. At the Geneva Motor Show in March, the gas-electric hybrid Essence made jaws drop with its commanding size, beautiful lines, and green-inspired 592-hp soul. Unfortunately for every man, woman and child on the face of the earth, the Essence won't make its way to production -- ever -- but it's actually going to be driven in the UK... briefly.

Infiniti's voluptuous concept will make an appearance at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, where it'll make the run the hill climb and be joined at the FoS-TECH pavilion by the world's first right-hand-drive G37 convertible . While we're more than a little disappointed that the Essence will never hit production, if the concept's handsome design makes its way into other Infinitis, it'd be a good start. Press release below the fold.


Gallery: Infiniti Essence Concept


[Source: Infiniti]

Continue reading Infiniti Essence concept to run the Goodwood Hillclimb

Infiniti Essence concept to run the Goodwood Hillclimb originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 27 Jun 2009 17:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>essencegas electric hybridGasElectricHybridgoodwoodhillclimbinfinitiSat, 27 Jun 2009 17:09:00 EST<![CDATA[VIDEO: Got 90 minutes? Good. Watch this gigantic compilation of rally crack-ups]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/26/video-got-90-minutes-good-watch-this-gigantic-compilation-of/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/26/video-got-90-minutes-good-watch-this-gigantic-compilation-of/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/26/video-got-90-minutes-good-watch-this-gigantic-compilation-of/#commentsFiled under: ,


Click above to see 94 minutes of rally crashes

For those who watch auto racing hoping to see some crashes, here's your chance to watch crashes in order to see a little bit of racing. Vintage rally footage showcasing various categories and countries has Renaults, Fords, Peugeots, Volvos, and Lancias flying all over the circuits.The level of danger for everyone involved never ceases to amaze -- cameramen pull off acrobatic moves to avoid crashing cars that would make Wolverine jealous. It proves that rally fans have reflexes that are almost as good as the drivers. They're just as crazy, too. Follow the jump to see the whole... shebang. (Be advised: it takes several moments for the video to load and begin playback.)

[Source: Google Video]

Continue reading VIDEO: Got 90 minutes? Good. Watch this gigantic compilation of rally crack-ups

VIDEO: Got 90 minutes? Good. Watch this gigantic compilation of rally crack-ups originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 26 Apr 2009 18:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>crasheuropehillclimbmotorsportsrallyvideowrcwreckSun, 26 Apr 2009 18:15:00 EST<![CDATA[VIDEO: Lionel Regal provides your adrenaline rush of the day]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/07/video-lionel-regal-provides-your-adrenaline-rush-of-the-day/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/07/video-lionel-regal-provides-your-adrenaline-rush-of-the-day/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/07/video-lionel-regal-provides-your-adrenaline-rush-of-the-day/#commentsFiled under: ,


Follow the jump to watch the video

Sorry, no date on this video, but what we do know is that it's of French hillclimber Lionel Regal attacking the Course de Côte at Mont Ventoux in his Mugen-Honda-powered Reynard F3000 car. He's obviously very comfortable behind the wheel, with championships in 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008 to show for it. It also occurs to us that Lionel Regal may well have been used to create the original casts for Truck Nutz. Follow the jump, watch, and you'll understand, too. A brief word of caution: Googling his name will keep you in front of your screen watching videos for quite a while...

[Source: YouTube via ColdTrackDays]

Continue reading VIDEO: Lionel Regal provides your adrenaline rush of the day

VIDEO: Lionel Regal provides your adrenaline rush of the day originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 07 Mar 2009 13:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>course de coteCourseDeCotehillclimblionel regalLionelRegalmont ventouxMontVentouxmugen hondaMugenHondareynardSat, 07 Mar 2009 13:33:00 EST<![CDATA[VIDEO: Big truck... go fast... up hill]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/11/video-big-truck-go-fast-up-hill/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/11/video-big-truck-go-fast-up-hill/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/11/video-big-truck-go-fast-up-hill/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Click above to view video after the jump

For as clean and green and Earth-loving as the Europeans are, they sure do some dirty things... like throw a sooty-exhaust-belching racing semi around hairpin turns with loads of opposite lock - up an impossibly green mountain - just for a hillclimb. But hey, trucks and racing aren't illegal yet, so we say flog 'em while ya got 'em. Check out the video of Markus Boesiger, 2007's Truck Racing Champion, and his dashing diesel after the jump.

[Source: StreetFire]

Continue reading VIDEO: Big truck... go fast... up hill

VIDEO: Big truck... go fast... up hill originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 11 Oct 2008 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>commercial truckCommercialTruckeuropehillclimbracing truckRacingTrucksemitruckvideoSat, 11 Oct 2008 16:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Millen set to run Solstice GXP up Pike's Peak]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/06/23/millen-set-to-run-solstice-gxp-up-pikes-peak/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/06/23/millen-set-to-run-solstice-gxp-up-pikes-peak/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/06/23/millen-set-to-run-solstice-gxp-up-pikes-peak/#commentsFiled under: , ,



The organizers of this year's Pike's Peak Hill Climb have added a new Time Attack class to the event, and one of our personal heroes is returning to beat the mountain into submission.

Rhys Millen, the pilot of the 550 HP Pontiac Solstice GXP drift car, Pike's Peak veteran, renowned rally racer and all-around driving deity, will be flogging his heavily modified sideways sidewinder up the hill during the Time Attack's inaugural run.

The Solstice itself will remain relatively unmodified for the event, keeping the same suspension setup, but tweaking the ECU to cope with the elevation changes and its affect on the air/fuel ratio.

There's too much good stuff to summarize here, so we'd encourage you to click the 'Read' link below for all the details, including several choice insights from Millen.

[Source: GM]

Millen set to run Solstice GXP up Pike's Peak originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 23 Jun 2007 19:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>driftdriftinggxphill climbHillClimbmillenpikes peakPikesPeakpontiacrallyrhysrhys millenRhysMillensolsticetime attackTimeAttackSat, 23 Jun 2007 19:34:00 EST<![CDATA[Goodwood Festival of Speed: The best take to bicycles]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/06/03/goodwood-festival-of-speed-the-best-take-to-bicycles/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/06/03/goodwood-festival-of-speed-the-best-take-to-bicycles/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/06/03/goodwood-festival-of-speed-the-best-take-to-bicycles/#commentsFiled under: ,

The highlight of the Goodwood Festival of Speed is the 1.16-mile hillclimb. Nearly 200 cars in various classes, grouped by theme, race up the incline 9-turn incline and then parade down the hill in groups to line up for the next assault. The Festival is no stranger to Formula 1 cars or drivers (Nick Heidfeld holds the record for the hillclimb in a Mclaren MP4/13 at 41.16 seconds), but this years event will feature F1 drivers on bicycles. The bicycle challenge is called the Goodwood Organic Milk Race, and celebrates Britain's cycling event called the Milk Race, and the fact that the Goodwood Estate at Home Farm has introduced its own brand of organic milk. The uphill time trial will feature F1 racers paired with professional cyclists in 2-man teams. Former drivers will include Damon Hill and Allan McNish. Anthony Davidson, Jensen Button, Mark Webber are among the current pilots participating. And based on the state of their respective F1 teams, Goodwood could be the best chance for them to take home some silverware for a while.

[Source: Fourtitude]

Goodwood Festival of Speed: The best take to bicycles originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 03 Jun 2007 07:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>driversf1festivalgoodwoodhillclimbspeedSun, 03 Jun 2007 07:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Autoblog Night Watch: Audi RS4 Hillclimb]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/11/autoblog-night-watch-audi-s4-hillclimb/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/11/autoblog-night-watch-audi-s4-hillclimb/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/11/autoblog-night-watch-audi-s4-hillclimb/#commentsFiled under: ,



This ground level POV video comes courtesy of the German Car Blog, after discovering that the AudiBMW.com Audi RS4 had set a new ITE class record during the Duryea Hillclimb in Reading, PA.

The massaged, 2.7-liter twin-turbo V6 provides a delicious aural soundtrack, particularly when the driver lifts off the throttle and the blow-off valve expels unnecessary exhaust gases.

Click the 'read' link for the full account of the record breaking run, as told by the S4's driver.

Autoblog Night Watch: Audi RS4 Hillclimb originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 11 Sep 2006 01:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>audibmw.com audi s4Audibmw.comAudiS4hillclimbMon, 11 Sep 2006 01:26:00 EST<![CDATA[World's wildest Suzuki Grand Vitara]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/19/worlds-wildest-suzuki-grand-vitara/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/19/worlds-wildest-suzuki-grand-vitara/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/19/worlds-wildest-suzuki-grand-vitara/#commentsFiled under: ,



You won't see this SUV in the parking lot at your local grocery store, although Gran Turismo fans should recognize it. It's the unlimited hillclimb version of the Suzuki Escudo (Grand Vitara), driven by Nobuhiro "Monster" Tajima, the Chairman of Suzuki Sport, the motorsports arm of Suzuki Motor Corp. This past weekend, Monster Tajima drove the Suzuki Batmobile to a record seventh win in New Zealand's "Race to the Sky" hillclimb, setting a new course record in the process.

Monster's ride has some impressive specs:
  • 2.7-liter V6 twin-turbo, producing 995 hp at 8,100 rpm
  • steel space frame
  • carbon/kevlar body
  • sequential six-speed gearbox
  • all-wheel drive
  • mammoth downforce-generating aerodynamic aids, including supersized front splitter, rear wing and underbody diffuser
  • all-up weight (including driver and fuel) of only 2,244 lb!
More details on this all-out Suzuki and its 56-year-old (!) pilot here.

[Sources: Suzuki Sport via gizmag.com]

World's wildest Suzuki Grand Vitara originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 19 Apr 2006 15:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Escudohillclimbmonster tajimaNobuhiro TajimaNobuhiroTajimapikes peakrace to the skyRaceToTheSkysuzuki monsterWed, 19 Apr 2006 15:09:00 EST