'Monster' Tajima shatters Hill Climb 10-minute barrier at 9:51.276
Comments 2
June 26, 2011 2:30 PM
JOE PAISLEY
THE GAZETTE
The "Monster" tamed the mountain.
Japan's Nobuhiro "Monster" Tajima set a new overall record Sunday in winning the Unlimited championship in the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb in 9 minutes, 51.276 seconds, smashing the vaunted 10-minute barrier.
"I am so happy," he said, "I am champion."
It was Tajima's sixth Unlimited title.
Tajima sped up the 12.42-mile course that ends at the 14,115-foot summit. His effort eclipsed his old mark of 10:01.4 set in 2007 in the Unlimited Division.
Tajima drove his 910hp Monster Sport SX4 Hill Climb Special to become the first competitor to best 10 minutes since the race began in 1916. He averaged almost 76 mph.
Rhys Millen (Hyundai Genesis) came in second at 10:09.30 after suffering brake problems. Rookie Jean-Philippe Dayraut of France clocked 10:17.707 in the Unlimited division in his first appearance.
Sixty-year-old Rod Millen came back to the race for the first time since 1999 to win the Time Attack 2WD division in 11:04.912. The New Zealander was a five-time champion on Pikes Peak during his career and won eight class championships.
Brianne Corn of San Marcos, Texas, one of a record five female drivers to enter the race, surprised the field in the Time Attack 4WD division, winning the class in 11:56.422.
Weather along the course was perfect for the 191 drivers and racers entered, hot, dry and moderate wind speeds in the early divisions.
Read more:
http://www.gazette.com/articles/minute-120439-monster-nobuhiro.html#ixzz1QQ4AvAKb
