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Watch Paul Dallenbach use 1,400 HP to race up Pikes Peak

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 21 Jun 2012 12:29:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Videos, Racing

Paul Dallenbach has been practicing for the upcoming Pikes Peak International Hill Climb in an Unlimited-class competitor that looks like it drove straight out of Wacky Races, powered by a 1,400-horsepower Chevrolet engine from Banks Power.

Before one run up the lower slopes, the crew affixed cameras all over the race car, and the resulting video is a good demonstration of the speed, the sound and the shakes a driver needs to master over the 12.42 miles and 160 turns of the Pikes Peak Hill Climb. It is also the only racing video we've seen to feature a flying camera and an ant.

Scroll down to watch, and you'll want to mind the volume.

Continue reading Watch Paul Dallenbach use 1,400 HP to race up Pikes Peak

Watch Paul Dallenbach use 1,400 HP to race up Pikes Peak originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 21 Jun 2012 12:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pikes Peak Wrapup: Monster Tajima breaks 10-minute barrier, captures sixth consecutive victory

Jeff Glucker — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Suzuki

2011 Pikes Peak Hill Climb Finish - Click above for high-res image gallery

The Monster has taken the mountain. The wind was whipping wildly, yet the sun shone brightly on one particular Colorado peak. We imagine if felt like a spotlight for Nobuhiro Tajima - the Japanese Hill Climb pilot managed to reduce his 2007 Pikes Peak record time by just over 10 seconds. Monster had said his goal was simply to break his own record, but we all knew he wanted to get under the 10-minute barrier. He did just that - and then some. Clearly, the adjusted setup applied to the Monster Sport Suzuki SX4 Hill Climb Special, has paid off. The new time to beat at Pike's Peak is 9:51.278.

Unfortunately, The rest of the Unlimited Class wasn't able to walk away smiling like Monster. Paul Dallenbach had recorded seriously quick times with his 1,300-horsepower hill climb machine during practice thanks to Banks Power, who supplied a pair of turbochargers. The Dallenbach team had high hopes for race day, but a stalled start was an early bad omen. Less than a minute later, a broken axle left him stranded just one mile into the race.

Rhys Millen and his RMR Hyundai-powered PM580 also ended the day with disappointment. For the second year in a row, mechanical issues caused Millen to run far slower than he's capable. Millen's brakes gave out with around four miles left in the course, which would be a game-ending occurence for lesser drivers. Rhys plugged on, and passed the finish line in 10:09.30. Rhys believes he was losing two seconds per corner due to the damaged stoppers, so the time was surprisingly quick for the hampered PM580.

Dacia's entry finished in third in the Unlimited class and fared quite well for it's first competition on a mountain. With Frenchman Jean Philippe Dayraut behind the wheel, the GT-R-powered Duster crossed the line with an impressive time of just 10:17.707.

Rod Millen, returning to the mountain for the first time in more than 10 years, managed to set a new record in the 2WD Time Attack Class. Millen used his son's Formula Drift Hyundai Genesis Coupe and ran from bottom to top in 11:04.912. His close friend and rival, Jeff Zwart, finished less than three seconds behind in his Porsche 911 GT2 RS. After the race, the elder Millen said this would most definitely be his last year to compete at Pikes Peak, although he greatly appreciated his son's invitation to drive the mountain one last time.

In the 4WD Time Attack Division, a wreck by Stephan Verdier in his Subaru Impreza WRX STI and a flat rear tire for David Kern's Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution left the victory to Brianne Corn of San Marcos, Texas - one of five females to enter the race. Corn is the first woman to win her division since Michele Mouton in 1984.

Finally, Colorado Springs native Randy Schranz, 63, completed his 37th Pikes Peak Hill Climb, breaking the previous record of 36 set by Louis Unser. Schranz won the Pikes Peak Open division with a time of 11:55.132.

Pikes Peak Wrapup: Monster Tajima breaks 10-minute barrier, captures sixth consecutive victory originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 27 Jun 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Banks-powered, Dallenbach-driven Pikes Peak entrant starts testing on the mountain

Zach Bowman — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 18:59:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Videos

Paul Dallenbach at Pikes Peak International Hill Climb qualifying - Click above to watch video after the jump

Paul Dallenbach and the minds at Banks Power have been so kind as to slide the interwebs a quick taste of what to expect from the team at this year's Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. Dallenback took his Banks-powered machine on two qualifying runs up the mountain and strapped a few cameras on board to sample the action. Let's just say that the 1,307-horsepower twin-turbocharged beast moves about as quick as you'd expect.

As you may recall, this brute was delivering just 745 ponies last year. Dallenbach spends some time explaining just how the extra grunt has changed how he drives the machine by pointing out the few areas that allow for full-throttle acceleration.

This racer is one of a handful competing in the wild unlimited class at the hill climb. Rhys Millen and rival Nobuhiro Tajima are also squaring off in the no-holds barred category in an attempt to finally break the 10-minute mark in the sprint up the mountain. This year's going to be a good one. Hit the jump to check out the video.

Continue reading Banks-powered, Dallenbach-driven Pikes Peak entrant starts testing on the mountain

Banks-powered, Dallenbach-driven Pikes Peak entrant starts testing on the mountain originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 13 Jun 2011 18:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Paul Dallenbach teams up with Banks Power to tackle Pike's Peak

Jeff Glucker — Tue, 31 May 2011 19:59:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Motorsports, Videos, Specialty, Racing

Dallenbach Racing Team Pike's Peak racer - Click above to watch video after the jump

Last year, at the 2010 Pike's Peak International Hill Climb, our very own Drew Phillips ascended the mountain to chat with some of the race's drivers. The most exciting class is arguably the Unlimited group, which run insanely powerful machines driven by mad men looking to break the elusive 10-minute mark. In 2010, only three men strapped into Unlimited-class racers, and one of them goes by the name of Paul Dallenbach.

Phillips captured the following quote from Dallenbach's mouth:

"My car is good on hard surfaces... but I really need to come back with some factory help on an engine. That's my big thing that's hurting me right now. I'm running the same engines I've had for ten years. They're great engines, and they have great torque, but I really need something that's more reliable."

Well, Dallenbach has a helping hand for the 2011 race. Two of them, in fact, and they've been provided by Banks Power. Banks has teamed up with the Dallenbach Racing Team, and the two are sharing a wealth of turbocharging and engine-tuning knowledge. As a result of the twin-turbocharged shove, power has been pushed from 745-horsepower and 650 pound-feet of torque up to 1,307-horsepower and 1,206 pound-feet of torque.

That's a healthy dose of added scoot.

Paul Dallenbach and the Banks Power team now believe they have a record-breaking machine on their hands. Rhys Millen and Nobuhiro Tajima are equally confident in their own machines. Should the weather cooperate, this looks like the year we see a sub-10-minute ascension of Pike's Peak. We will be in Colorado to capture the action, but in the meantime we have video of the Dallench Racing Team car taking a few shakedown runs. Click past the jump to get an idea of how quickly that much power can push a car around.

Continue reading Paul Dallenbach teams up with Banks Power to tackle Pike's Peak

Paul Dallenbach teams up with Banks Power to tackle Pike's Peak originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 31 May 2011 19:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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