New car news

20 April 2010 - 12:00

Millen out for Monster

Roll on June 27.

That's the date of this year's Pikes Peak hillclimb, the day we'll see the legendary Nobuhiro ‘Monster' Tajima and his 671kW Suzuki SX4 go head-to-head with Rhys Millen, who'll be driving... this.

This is the RMR Hyundai Genesis RM580, a 503kW Le Mans-style racer designed to be driven by Millen in the Unlimited class at Pikes, the fastest category with no restrictions on power, weight or, er... anything.

The RM580 is powered by a turbocharged Hyundai 4.1-litre V6, feeding all four wheels through active differentials that can apportion between 10 and 100 per cent of torque to the front wheels depending on road conditions. The racer also has a kerbweight of around 850kg - less than a Lotus Elise - and an active rear wing. That's quite a package.

Monster Tajima has dominated the Unlimited class - and Pikes Peak overall - for the past few years, setting the overall course record of 10m01.41s in 2007, beating Rod Millen's existing record of 10m04.06s.

Rod Millen is Rhys's father.

Rhys, remember, is the slightly mad gent who nearly backflipped a truck in 2008 and last year set a new two-wheel-drive record at Pikes in a Hyundai Genesis Coupe.

This should be a truly epic scrap. Will the young pretender avenge his father? Will either man break the 10-minute barrier? Will TopGear think of one more Important Question to end this news story?

We'll find out on June 27. 

Sam Philip