Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Rod Millen to face Monster Tajima in Electric Division of Pikes Peak Hill Climb]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/11/rod-millen-to-face-monster-tajima-in-electric-division-of-pikes/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/11/rod-millen-to-face-monster-tajima-in-electric-division-of-pikes/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/11/rod-millen-to-face-monster-tajima-in-electric-division-of-pikes/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Toyota TMG EV P002 on Pikes Peak

The 91st running of the Pike's Peak International Hill Climb is scheduled to begin on June 30. Like last year's event, the 12.42 mile course - fully paved these days - starts at 9,390 feet elevation and doesn't stop climbing until it reaches an impressive 14,110 feet (the air is so thin up there that the FAA requires pilots to use oxygen at that altitude).

There will be an assortment of internal combustion machines racing to the summit, entries from France, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Sweden, Brazil, Canada, Great Britain, Hungary, Czech Republic, Poland and Belgium, but all eyes will be on the electric showdown between Rod Millen and Nobuhiro "Monster" Tajima, from Japan. 61-year-old Millen is a familiar name to Toyota racing fans, and he will be driving the Toyota TMG EV P002 (it won the Electric title last year), while Tajima will be again piloting the Monster Sport E-Runner (which was forced out of the field last year after a fire broke out).

Other entrants include Rhys Millen driving a 2013 Hyundai PM58OT and Paul Dallenbach, who will be driving Millen's Hyundai Genesis Coupe (it set the all-time speed mark last year).

Tickets and camping permits may be purchased online at the PPIHC official site, and the official press release announcing Millen's run is available below.

Continue reading Rod Millen to face Monster Tajima in Electric Division of Pikes Peak Hill Climb

Rod Millen to face Monster Tajima in Electric Division of Pikes Peak Hill Climb originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 11 Feb 2013 18:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>electric carhill climbpikes peakpikes peak international hill climbrhys millenrod millentmg ev p002toyotaMon, 11 Feb 2013 18:27:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20457134/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/02/11/rod-millen-to-face-monster-tajima-in-electric-division-of-pikes/20457134/article-detail.xml 20457134 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/02/toyota-ev-p002_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/02/toyota-ev-p002.jpg <![CDATA[Pikes Peak Wrapup: Monster Tajima breaks 10-minute barrier, captures sixth consecutive victory]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/06/27/pikes-peak-wrapup-monster-tajima-breaks-10-minute-barrier-capt/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/06/27/pikes-peak-wrapup-monster-tajima-breaks-10-minute-barrier-capt/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/06/27/pikes-peak-wrapup-monster-tajima-breaks-10-minute-barrier-capt/#commentsFiled under: ,

2011 Pikes Peak Hill Climb Race Finish
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.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2011 pikes peak hill climb2011 pikes peak international hill climbmonster tajimapaul dallenbachpikes peak 2011pikes peak hill climbpikes peak hill climb 2011pikes peak international hill climbpikes+peakpikespeakppihcrhys millenrod millensuzukitajima+pikes+peaktajimapikespeakMon, 27 Jun 2011 10:00:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19976956/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/06/27/pikes-peak-wrapup-monster-tajima-breaks-10-minute-barrier-capt/19976956/article-detail.xml 19976956 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/06/pikes-peak-2011_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/06/pikes-peak-2011.jpg <![CDATA[How Rhys Millen prepares for the 2011 Pikes Peak Hill Climb]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/06/16/how-rhys-millen-prepares-for-the-2011-pikes-peak-hill-climb/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/06/16/how-rhys-millen-prepares-for-the-2011-pikes-peak-hill-climb/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/06/16/how-rhys-millen-prepares-for-the-2011-pikes-peak-hill-climb/#commentsFiled under: , ,

rmr pm580
Rhys Millen and his PM580 inch closer to Pikes Peak - Click above to watch video after the jump

The 2011 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb is nearly upon us. We got to spend some time with Rhys Millen and father Rod, as the Rhys Millen Racing team gets its cars ready for Colorado, and now Red Bull has put together a video clip that shows how the RMR team is progressing.

Remember we said that the Weismann tranmission was giving Millen fits? It's gone. The Hyundai-powered PM580 is no longer a semi-automatic transmission car, with Rhys instead opting for a manual gearbox. The new transmission was a gift from Rhys' father Rod, as the unit came out of Millen Sr.'s famous hill-climbing Toyota Tacoma.

Rhys is clearly more happy with the manual transmission. The car appears ready to break through a longstanding barrier, and it seems that history might just be made this year. Click past the jump to see why.

Continue reading How Rhys Millen prepares for the 2011 Pikes Peak Hill Climb

How Rhys Millen prepares for the 2011 Pikes Peak Hill Climb originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 16 Jun 2011 14:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hyundaipikes peakpikes peak international hill climbpm580red bullrhys millenrhys millen racingrmrrmr pm580rod millenThu, 16 Jun 2011 14:59:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19968951/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/06/16/how-rhys-millen-prepares-for-the-2011-pikes-peak-hill-climb/19968951/article-detail.xml 19968951 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/06/rmr-pm580_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/06/rmr-pm580.jpg <![CDATA[Rod Millen joining Rhys for his own run up Pikes Peak]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/05/27/rod-millen-joining-rhys-for-his-own-run-up-pikes-peak/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/05/27/rod-millen-joining-rhys-for-his-own-run-up-pikes-peak/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/05/27/rod-millen-joining-rhys-for-his-own-run-up-pikes-peak/#commentsFiled under: ,

RMR Hyundai Pikes Peak 2011 Test Session
RMR Hyundai Pikes Peak 2011 Test Session - Click above for high-res image gallery

Chances are you've heard of Rhys Millen. The man pushes cars over dirt, into extreme sideways angles, through the air and up challenging mountain roads. If you're a bit younger, however, you may not have heard of his father, Mr. Rod Millen... and that's a problem, because you should know that name.

Rod Millen, born in New Zealand and possessor of the best driveway on the planet, is a racing legend. Typically known for his off-road records, the elder Millen has been hustling rally cars and trucks across tough terrain since the 1970s. The company he founded, MillenWorks, is responsible for the development of technical innovations used in racing, and by the military. Enjoying that cushy suspension setup in your Chevrolet Corvette or Audi R8? You can think MillenWorks for that.

Like Rhys, Rod also has a passion for competing. Before Nobuhiro Tajima came along, Rod Millen was the Pike's Peak record holder. Driving a Toyota Celica All Trac in 1994, Millen smashed the previous record by 40 seconds. He broke his own record four more times, until the Monster took him down, and Rod hasn't been back since 2001.

Father's day is around the corner, and the Millen boys are ready to spend some time together. They're going to do so in Colorado, because Rod is coming back to the mountain, and Rhys is planning to destroy it.

Continue reading Rod Millen joining Rhys for his own run up Pikes Peak

Rod Millen joining Rhys for his own run up Pikes Peak originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 27 May 2011 19:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hyundaihyundai pm580millenworkspikes peakpikes peak international hill climbrhys millenrhys millen racingrmrrmr pm580rod millenFri, 27 May 2011 19:25:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19951046/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/05/27/rod-millen-joining-rhys-for-his-own-run-up-pikes-peak/19951046/article-detail.xml 19951046 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/05/rmr-pikes-peak-test-2011_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/05/rmr-pikes-peak-test-2011.jpg <![CDATA[Video: Rhys vows to bring Pikes Peak record back to Millen family]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/04/15/video-rhys-vows-to-bring-pikes-peak-record-back-to-millen-famil/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/04/15/video-rhys-vows-to-bring-pikes-peak-record-back-to-millen-famil/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/04/15/video-rhys-vows-to-bring-pikes-peak-record-back-to-millen-famil/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Millen family talks Pikes Peak - Click above to watch the video

The Millen family has quite a proud history at the Pikes Peak Hill Climb, not quite up there with the Unsers, but certainly more than respectable. Rod Millen captured several class records at the Colorado mountain over the years, including an outright record of 10:04:06 set in a Toyota Celica in 1994 that stood for an astounding 13 years.

Last June, son Rhys took a Hyundai Genesis coupe to a class record in the two-wheel drive Time Attack class with a 12:09.397.

This June, Millen is headed back to the Peak with a new weapon that still wears a Hyundai badge and will still be slathered in Red Bull livery. There will be none of that production-based nonsense this time though. The younger Millen wants to take the overall record back from Nobuhiro "Monster" Tajima. Millen is aiming to get the first ever sub-10 minute time at Pikes Peak and he and his team have built a new car dubbed the Genesis PM580. From the teaser video after the jump, we're guessing that this unlimited class car will feature plenty of carbon fiber and plenty of power, presumably 5.8-liters worth of Hyundai V8 based on the nomenclature. The new car is set to be revealed on Monday, but for now you can watch the Millen family talk about the glory that is Pikes Peak. Check out the video after the jump.

[Source: Hyundai]

Continue reading Video: Rhys vows to bring Pikes Peak record back to Millen family

Video: Rhys vows to bring Pikes Peak record back to Millen family originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 15 Apr 2010 13:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hyundaiHyundai Genesishyundai genesis coupehyundai genesis pm580HyundaiGenesisHyundaiGenesisCoupeHyundaiGenesisPm580Nobuhiro Monster TajimaNobuhiroMonsterTajimapikes peakpikes peak hill climbPikes Peak International Hill ClimbPikesPeakPikesPeakHillClimbPikesPeakInternationalHillClimbPM580red bullred bull racingRedBullRedBullRacingRhys Millenrhys millen genesis couperhys millen racingRhysMillenRhysMillenGenesisCoupeRhysMillenRacingRMR Hyundai Genesis Coupermr hyundai genesis pm580RmrHyundaiGenesisCoupeRmrHyundaiGenesisPm580Rod MillenRodMillenThu, 15 Apr 2010 13:28:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19440240/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/04/15/video-rhys-vows-to-bring-pikes-peak-record-back-to-millen-famil/19440240/article-detail.xml 19440240 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/04/rhys-millen-bw_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/04/rhys-millen-bw.jpg <![CDATA[VIDEO: Behind the scenes of the PSP vs Driver ad]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/01/video-behind-the-scenes-of-the-psp-vs-driver-ad/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/01/video-behind-the-scenes-of-the-psp-vs-driver-ad/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/01/video-behind-the-scenes-of-the-psp-vs-driver-ad/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Gran Turismo for PSP - Click above image to view the video after the jump

If you missed the Gran Turismo Playstation Portable ad we featured earlier this week, have a look. We'll wait...

Back? Great. What you saw was Tanner Foust and Rhys Millen running around Laguna Seca, with Millen behind the wheel of a Corvette ZR1 and Foust riding shotgun while running the track on Sony's PSP.

Millen was kind enough to sent us a link to a behind the scenes video of the shoot, and along with Foust and Millen, we also get to see director Jeff Zwart and Rhy's rally champion father, Rod Millen, driving a few other cars during filming. Zwart is a long time rally driver/racer along with being a photographer and filmmaker, and in the new clip we get to see a few other cars (GT-R, Ford GT and... is that an E39 M5? Awesome!) mixing it up and getting sideways at speed with a camera car in the middle of the action. Best job ever? Pretty close. Make the jump to check it out.

Continue reading VIDEO: Behind the scenes of the PSP vs Driver ad

VIDEO: Behind the scenes of the PSP vs Driver ad originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 01 Oct 2009 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gran turismogran turismo pspGranTurismoGranTurismoPspjeff zwartJeffZwartpsprhys millenRhysMillenrod millenRodMillentanner foustTannerFoustvideoThu, 01 Oct 2009 19:58:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19180243/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/10/01/video-behind-the-scenes-of-the-psp-vs-driver-ad/19180243/article-detail.xml 19180243 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/10/zr1-vs-psp_thumbnail.png http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/10/zr1-vs-psp.png <![CDATA[VIDEO: Unlikely Goodwood - Rod Millen's Toyota Tacoma charges up the hill]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/14/video-unlikely-goodwood-rod-millens-toyota-tacoma-charges-up/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/14/video-unlikely-goodwood-rod-millens-toyota-tacoma-charges-up/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/14/video-unlikely-goodwood-rod-millens-toyota-tacoma-charges-up/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


Rod Millen's Goodwood run in a Toyota Tacoma -- Click above to watch video

Last year, Rod Millen took his Toyota Tacoma Pike's Peak runner to the Goodwood Festival of Speed.

Looking, sounding, and handling nothing like a Tacoma, and powered by - according to the caption - a "2-little turbocharged 4-cylinder," Millen flings the thing up the hill, all the while the forced-induction drivetrain is chattering away like a pack of rabid chipmunks. He manages to avoid the hay bales, but then nearly collects what looks like a Bowler Nemesis at the end for his troubles. Follow the jump to watch the video.

[Source: Top Speed]

Continue reading VIDEO: Unlikely Goodwood - Rod Millen's Toyota Tacoma charges up the hill

VIDEO: Unlikely Goodwood - Rod Millen's Toyota Tacoma charges up the hill originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 14 Jul 2009 12:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>englandgoodwoodgoodwood festival of speedGoodwoodFestivalOfSpeedmotorsportspickuprod millenRodMillentacomatoyotatoyota tacomaToyotaTacomatruckukvideoTue, 14 Jul 2009 12:29:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19095640/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/07/14/video-unlikely-goodwood-rod-millens-toyota-tacoma-charges-up/19095640/article-detail.xml 19095640 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/07/millen_gdwd_08_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/07/millen_gdwd_08.jpg <![CDATA[Monster Tajima is Pikes Peak's new "King of the Mountain"]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/21/monster-tajima-is-pikes-peaks-new-king-of-the-mountain/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/21/monster-tajima-is-pikes-peaks-new-king-of-the-mountain/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/21/monster-tajima-is-pikes-peaks-new-king-of-the-mountain/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Monster Tajima breaks Rod Millen's Pikes Peak record
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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