For those that remember the Pikes Peak beast

[EJ25RUN]

"Monster" Tajima Returning to Pikes Peak
Written by: News Wire
Brea, Calif. – 6/13/2006

Tajima's Pikes Peak Suzuki Grand Vitara is powered by a 1,000hp, twin-turbo V6.


Nobuhiro “Monster” Tajima is a busy man. As president of Suzuki Sport Co., Ltd., he runs a company that designs and builds high-performance equipment for Suzuki vehicles. As a record-setting race driver, the legendary Tajima competes in major hill climb racing events held around the world.

Following his winning and record-setting run in New Zealand’s “Race to the Sky” in April, Tajima is set to take on the toughest hill climb event in the United States, the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. At “Race to the Sky,” Tajima earned a new nickname, “King of the Mountain,” as he set a new course record of 8 minutes, one second.

On July 1, Tajima will attempt to set a new record in the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, known as the “Race to the Clouds.” The current record for the 12.4-mile climb to the 14,110-ft. summit is held by New Zealander Rod Millen at 10 minutes, 4 seconds, set in the 1994 running of the Pikes Peak classic.

Monster Tajima and his crew at Suzuki Sport Co. Ltd., based in Shizuoka, Japan have built a formidable race machine to challenge Pikes Peak and Millen’s record. It is a modified Suzuki Grand Vitara SUV fitted with a nearly 1,000 horsepower, twin-turbo V6 engine in a purpose-built space-frame chassis covered by a high-strength, lightweight carbon fiber body. Getting all that power to the ground is a set of huge 285/60R18 Falken S/TZ04 tires.

Tajima, his crew and the racing Grand Vitara are scheduled to arrive in Colorado Springs at the base of Pikes Peak on June 23 to begin final preparations for qualifications on June 29 and June 30. The official timed runs are scheduled to begin on July 1

[1439/2000]

Yeah thats old school. They outlawed that car like 3 times. And then allowed it. Then banned it again. Good to see they are back out with something else.

[SiR_Boost]

that car owns yo

[SampaGuy]

i have one in gran turismo 3 that goes 500mph lol

[HiPSI]

It is a modified Suzuki Grand Vitara SUV fitted with a nearly 1,000 horsepower, twin-turbo V6 engine in a purpose-built space-frame chassis covered by a high-strength, lightweight carbon fiber body.

haha, so it's a "modified" Grand Vitara.... using no original parts of the original vehicle they called it . why don't they just say "made to look like a grand vitara"?

[mfvmx]

Its runs in the open class, so I don't think its been banned. Just not much Pikes peak coverage on tv.

[Elbow]

that thing is hot

[JackBauer]

not as hot as my ferrari

[Five*Star*]

So how did it do?

Pikes Peak was July 4th weekend.