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Nobuhiro 'Monster’ Tajima is still king of the hill.
The Suzuki legend has taken his fourth consecutive Pikes Peak hillclimb title in his 873bhp SX4, fending off a challenge from Marcus Gronholm in an 800bhp Fiesta to complete the 12.42-mile run in 10 minutes 15.368 seconds.
That's seriously quick stuff, although not quick enough to beat Monster's course record of 10:01.408, set back in 2007. Weather didn't help his efforts to break the 10-minute barrier, with rain and lightning delaying the start out on the hill.
Gronholm crossed the line in 11:28.963, but looked set to go close to Monster's record after storming the first two sectors. However, his Fiesta's turbo went bang just a couple of miles from the top of the hill, the Ford crossing the line down on power... and on fire.
The second Fiesta, driven by rally champion Andreas Eriksson, crashed out on a tarmac section after heavy rain.
Rhys Millen - son of Pikes Peak legend Rod Millen and famous in his own right as the man who very nearly backflipped a truck - set a new class record in the two-wheel-drive class, clocking 12:09.397 in his Hyundai Genesis Coupe.
Millen promised to return in the ‘Unlimited' class next year to challenge the Monster. Can he defeat Tajima? Can anyone?
Open Car Bar
What do you think?
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Takk commented on this article
at 12:21 pm on 21 July 2009
I remember doing this in GranTurismo 2, really weird. Even in the game it was quite scary. I'd never dare do it for real... Well, alright: in a Skoda Roomster I'd dare. I wish they'd bring it back into the game though. Anyone else?
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Wotski commented on this article
at 12:25 pm on 21 July 2009
Legend, with balls of solid steel.
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Scout-V commented on this article
at 12:50 pm on 21 July 2009
Just Hope no one else breaks the 10 mins before him, that would suck to be the one to get so close but not quite.
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rustymx5 commented on this article
at 12:50 pm on 21 July 2009
How did the 1250 BHP Ford RS200 get on?
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dmw_86 commented on this article
at 01:07 pm on 21 July 2009
The RS200 only managed a 12:11:561 apparently, thats 15th overall. Times as follows: 87. PIKES PEAK INTERNATIONAL HILL CLIMB RESULTS 1. Nobuhiro Tajima (J) Monster Sport SX4 10.15,368 2. Paul Dallenbach (USA) Chevy 10.52,097 3. Jimmy Keeney (USA) Greenwood-Hull K-Tech 2 11.03,551 4. Spencer Steele (USA) Ford Wells Coyote 11.08,535 5. Marcus Grönholm/Timo Alanne (FIN) Ford Fiesta 11.28,963 6. Clint Vahsholtz (USA) Ford Mustang 11.39,662 7. Jack Guynn (USA) Wells Coyote 11.43,675 8. Davey Durelle (USA) Aprilia SXV 11.48,649 9. Gary Trachy (USA) KTM SMX 11.48,743 10. David Carapetyan/Adam Kneipp (USA) Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VII 11.52,837 11. Jeff Grace (USA) KTM 610 SMR 11.59,156 12. Layne Schranz (USA) Chevrolet Monte Carlo 12.02,672 13. Rhys Millen (USA) Hyundai Genesis Coupe 12.09,397 14. David Kern/Allison Kern (USA) Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VIII 12.10,335 15. Mark Rennison (GB) Ford RS200 12.11,561
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