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GoPro releases final multi-angle edit of Monster Tajima's record Pikes Peak run

Jeff Glucker — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 12:32:00 EST

Nobuhiro Monster Tajima went to the 2011 Pikes Peak hill climb with a singular goal in mind: Run from start to finish in less than ten minutes. GoPro bet heavily on the Monster, and covered his car with a flock of logos and a gaggle of cameras. The GoPro team worked quickly to put together video of the record-breaking run, but we knew they had more up their sleeve. After all, they mounted the compact cameras all over Tajima's Suzuki SX4 Hill Climb Special, so we expected that footage to be put to good use.

Our patience has been rewarded because the edits are done and the video is ready.

GoPro put ten cameras inside the Suzuki. It also stuck cameras at seemingly every turn, inside a helicopter, on the end of the checkered flag and even on the slim end of a celebratory champagne bottle.

Monster Tajima may know how to tackle every angle of Pikes Peak, but it's GoPro that knows how to cover them. C lick past the jump for the video.

Continue reading GoPro releases final multi-angle edit of Monster Tajima's record Pikes Peak run

GoPro releases final multi-angle edit of Monster Tajima's record Pikes Peak run originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 19 Aug 2011 12:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Up close with Monster Tajima's Suzuki SX4 Hill Climb Special

Jeff Glucker — Sat, 25 Jun 2011 11:49:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Suzuki

2011 Monster Sport Suzuki SX4 Hill Climb Special - Click above for high-res image gallery

The man known as Monster Tajima once ran all 12.42 miles of Pikes Peak in 10:01.408. That was 2007. Four years later, Tajima-san is back to make the trip in even less time. Is a sub-ten-minute time in the cards for the 2011 International Pikes Peak Hill Climb? Nobuhiro Tajima and his team think so. They've returned to the mountain with an updated Monster Sport Suzuki SX4 Hill Climb Special, and the 910-horsepower beast is ready run.

We got to spend a few moments with Tajima's updated Suzuki before it hit Tejon Street for Fan Fest. The car is littered with cameras courtesy of sponsor GoPro, but the video equipment isn't part of the go-fast upgrades. Monster Sport came prepared to run on the increased amount of tarmac, which means changes were made to the suspension, spring rates, tires and wheels. Falken custom-built a set of tires that features a tarmac-specific tread pattern and delivers serious grip. They're wrapped around a set of HRE forged monoblock wheels dubbed the P43S Tajima Specials.

Still, the heart of the SX4 sits directly behind Tajima. A 3.1-liter twin-turbocharged V6 pushes the car to speeds well over 100 miles per hour in the blink of an eye. Couple that with the close-ratio transmission, and Monster has a machine built with one goal. Will he accomplish it and become the first man to record a sub-10 minute run? We'll have to wait until tomorrow to find out, but we've spoken to the man and seen his car. Stay tuned. Pikes Peak history could be in the making.

Up close with Monster Tajima's Suzuki SX4 Hill Climb Special originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 25 Jun 2011 11:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New year, new livery for Monster Tajima's Suzuki SX4

Jeff Glucker — Sat, 15 Jan 2011 11:11:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Motorsports, Etc., Suzuki

We assume that Nobuhiro "Monster" Tajima is already thinking about his next run up Pikes Peak. His Suzuki SX4 hill-climb special is one step ahead and wearing a fresh new livery courtesy of sponsor GoPro. The car looks as unique as ever and our eyes are particularly drawn to the icy blue HRE wheels. They're custom-forged 20-inch rollers built to take the abuse that 910 horsepower and Mr. Monster throws at them. Hopefully at the 2011 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, we'll see this bright white-and-blue blur streak by on its way to a record-setting run.

[Source: HRE]

New year, new livery for Monster Tajima's Suzuki SX4 originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 15 Jan 2011 11:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Monster Tajima's Suzuki SX4 Pikes Peak run

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 19:25:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Videos

"Monster" Tajima's Pikes Peak assault - Click above to watch video after the jump

This is the kind of video that should be in the core curriculum for auto enthusiasts: A 2,618-pound Suzuki SX4 with a 3.1-liter twin-turbo V6 blown out to 897 horsepower and 654 pound-feet of torque. The pilot: Nobuhiro "Monster" Tajima. No theatrics, no gimmicks, just 11 straight minutes of speed, dirt, opposite lock and ghastly mechanical fury. Follow the jump to watch the vid.

[Source: Falken Tire]

Continue reading Video: Monster Tajima's Suzuki SX4 Pikes Peak run

Video: Monster Tajima's Suzuki SX4 Pikes Peak run originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 10 Aug 2010 19:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pikes Peak 2010: Tajima fastest man on the mountain, but ten minute mark remains unbroken

Drew Phillips — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Hyundai, Suzuki, Racing

2010 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb - Click above for high-res image gallery

I had a choice to make for the race day of this year's Pikes Peak Hill Climb. Do I stick to the more photogenic middle portions of the course or do I head to the finish line to potentially see history made? The decision was easy. If the infamous ten-minute mark was going to be broken, I wanted to be there to see the car at the checkered flag. After all, the chances seemed quite good. "Monster" Tajima had smashed the qualifying record the previous day and had looked incredibly fast during the practice sections. The track conditions and weather were ideal in the morning, and the first few groups showed plenty of promise. In fact, a few track records were broken in the morning groups of cars, including Rhys Millen's recent fastest time in the Time Attack 2WD class.

There was an atmosphere of excitement and tension near the finish line as it was announced Tajima had started his run, and we all waited impatiently to hear the shriek of his Suzuki's twin-turbo V6. It soon arrived, echoing around the surrounding mountains. Within 30 seconds Tajima came tearing around the last turn, the rear tires breaking loose momentarily as he fought to keep it pointed towards the finish line. The Suzuki came tearing across the finish line, and we all looked at one another, wondering if the record had been broken.

Make the jump to read the rest of the story about race day at Pikes Peak.

Gallery: 2010 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb

Continue reading Pikes Peak 2010: Tajima fastest man on the mountain, but ten minute mark remains unbroken

Pikes Peak 2010: Tajima fastest man on the mountain, but ten minute mark remains unbroken originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 28 Jun 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pikes Peak 2010: Tajima dominates third practice session, sets qualifying record

Drew Phillips — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 20:28:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Hyundai, Suzuki, Racing

2010 Pikes Peak Hill Climb Practice Day 3 and Qualifying - Click above for high-res image gallery

A few lessons learned from my second day on Pikes Peak:

If you don't like cold weather, then watch the race on the bottom part of the course. After experiencing the freezing temps at 14,000 feet, I came better prepared this morning with more layers and hand warmers. I needn't have bothered. Even at 4:30 in the morning I was comfortable in a light jacket. Who would've thought that being 9,000 feet above sea level would feel so good?
Don't forget sun screen at high elevation. The sun feels twice as harsh in the thin air. I'll be peeling for weeks.
You can't drink too much water in Colorado. Despite downing what seems like gallons of water, I still feel more dried out than a saltine cracker. I guess that's what happens when it's 85 degrees out and humidity is only at ten percent.
While I know why they split up the vehicles into three groups for practice, it's kind of a shame. You have to choose between seeing a different set of vehicles or seeing a different area of the track. I chose to stick with the same group since I wanted to follow the battle between Millen and Tajima.
The spectators here are insane. There are basically no rules for where you can or can't stand, so just about anyone can stand a foot off the road while the cars fly by. Sideways. Towards a cliff.

While it couldn't top my incredible experience the previous day, the third day of practice brought plenty of excitement. The lower portion of the course has huge stretches of pavement that provide plenty of space for the drivers to fully open it up, and even more importantly, it's this section that serves as qualifying for the race. The top qualifier in the Unlimited class gets to choose when he wants to start on race day, which can be of huge importance if weather comes into play. Follow the jump to learn how the last day of practice went, whether any of the drivers think they have a chance at breaking the elusive ten minute mark and a few choice words from Millen and Tajima.

Gallery: Pikes Peak 2010: Practice Day 3 and Qualifying

Continue reading Pikes Peak 2010: Tajima dominates third practice session, sets qualifying record

Pikes Peak 2010: Tajima dominates third practice session, sets qualifying record originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 25 Jun 2010 20:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pikes Peak 2010: Second day of practice is in the books

Drew Phillips — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 20:08:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Hyundai, Suzuki, Racing

2010 Pikes Peak Hill Climb Practice Day 2 - Click above for high-res image gallery

As I headed up the Pikes Peak toll road early this morning (3:30 am to be exact) I started to doubt whether it was going to be worth it. Maybe it was the fact that I got just a little over two hours of sleep, or maybe it was the lack of oxygen, but as I passed 12,000 feet my head began to cloud-over and all I could think about was a nice, comfortable bed. It didn't help that I was driving on a mountain road in pitch black darkness at 10 mph sandwiched between a string of other cars. To make matters worse, a fierce, bitter wind greeted me as I parked the car just a few miles below the summit, and the fog was so thick I couldn't see more than a hundred feet. This was going to be miserable. What was I thinking?

And then something magical happened. As I stood shivering on the side of the road with camera in hand, a small glow appeared in the eastern sky and the fog started to lift. As more light started to brighten the area around me, the incredible beauty of the most famous mountain in America was brought forth in stunning fashion. The entire sky was lit with an orange glow, broken only by a few small clouds that looked like wispy strands of cotton. Suddenly an engine roared to life, breaking the peaceful silence, and minutes later an open-wheel racecar roared past at near-triple-digit speed, the rear end cocked out sideways and the driver applying loads of opposite lock to avoid hurling off the edge. It was amazing. Incredible. I've been to plenty of motorsports events, but this tops them all. The matchless beauty of the surroundings juxtaposed with such incredible machinery being pushed to its absolute limit is like nothing else on earth. I could have left right then and it would have all been worth it. Fortunately, I still had more than three hours of it to enjoy. Follow the jump for more impressions from the second day of testing for the 2010 Pikes Peak Hill Climb.

Gallery: Pikes Peak 2010: Practice Day 2

Continue reading Pikes Peak 2010: Second day of practice is in the books

Pikes Peak 2010: Second day of practice is in the books originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 24 Jun 2010 20:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Monster Tajima won't be letting Millen go unchallenged at Pikes Peak

Sam Abuelsamid — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 14:30:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Suzuki

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.

Gallery: Pikes Peak 2010: Monster Tajima and Suzuki SX4

[Source: Suzuki]

Continue reading Monster Tajima won't be letting Millen go unchallenged at Pikes Peak

Monster Tajima won't be letting Millen go unchallenged at Pikes Peak originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 24 Jun 2010 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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

Noah Joseph — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 19:26:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Suzuki, Off-Road

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.

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Rhys Millen sets 2WD Time Attack class record at Pikes Peak

Sam Abuelsamid — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 20:11:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Hyundai, Off-Road

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

The 2009 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb is in the books. Reigning king of the hill Nobuhiro "Monster" Tajima again took top honors in the unlimited class but failed to break his own record with the new Suzuki SX4 hill-climb special. In fact, he fell 14 seconds shy of his record 2007 run with a 10:15.368. He did manage to beat Marcus Gronholm and Timo Alanne in one of Ford's Rallycross Fiestas, which only managed an 11:28.963 as it crossed the line with its right rear tire in flames.

One of two categories that did see records broken was the 2WD Time Attack for production-based cars. Here, Rhys Millen found that the confidence he gained from his practice runs earlier in the week was not misplaced. In his 17th run at Pikes Peak, Millen covered the 12.4 mile course to the 14,110-foot summit in 12 minutes, 9.397 seconds. His Hyundai Genesis Coupe crossed the line with its rear tires worn down to the steel belts, but at least they weren't burning.

The other record set was in the Motorcycle quad 450 class, where Michael Coburn covered the course on his Honda 450 in 12 minutes, 18.858 seconds.

Gallery: Rhys Millen Hyundai Genesis Coupe at Pikes Peak 2009

[Source: Hyundai]

Continue reading Rhys Millen sets 2WD Time Attack class record at Pikes Peak

Rhys Millen sets 2WD Time Attack class record at Pikes Peak originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 19 Jul 2009 20:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Monster Tajima is Pikes Peak's new "King of the Mountain"

Alex Nunez — Sat, 21 Jul 2007 22:05:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, SUV, Suzuki

Click image to enlarge

Nobuhiro "Monster" Tajima has accomplished what he set out to do at Pikes Peak. Today, the 57-year-old Japanese driver piloted his immensely powerful, spectacularly bewinged Suzuki XL7 Hill Climb Special up the mountain and completed the 156-turn course in 10 minutes, 1.408 seconds, eclipsing Rod Millen's 1994 mark of 10 minutes, 4.06 seconds. According to the Associated Press, Tajima was quoted as saying, "It's fantastic. I'm very happy. I want to try again and beat the 10-minute barrier." We've no doubt that he'll be back again next year, looking to do exactly that. In the meantime, Tajima can sleep soundly, knowing that today, a Monster was crowned King of the Mountain.

For the full results (all classes and participants), click here.

[Source: AP via Sports Illustrated]

Gallery: 2007 Suzuki Sport XL7 Hill Climb Special

Continue reading Monster Tajima is Pikes Peak's new "King of the Mountain"

Monster Tajima is Pikes Peak's new "King of the Mountain" originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 21 Jul 2007 22:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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World's wildest Suzuki Grand Vitara

Stuart Waterman — Wed, 19 Apr 2006 15:09:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Suzuki

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.

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