Tuesday 24th July 2007

What’s that coming over the hill?

Monster rules at Pikes Peak

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The winning Suzuki XL7

Nobuhiro ‘Monster’ Tajima, President of Suzuki Sport, has won the 85th anniversary run of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb in 10 minutes and one second, breaking the record previously held by Australian Rod Millen driving a Toyota 13 years ago.

Nobuhiro Tajima ran the first section to 'Picnic Ground' in the elapsed time of 1'42"197, the second section to Glen Cove in 4'29"191, the third section to 16 mile point in 7'3"408, then the last section to the finish line in 10'1"408.

Now that's a rear wing...

His record will be included in the 2007 edition of the Guinness Book of Records.

Monster was driving an all-new car this year: the Suzuki Sport XL7 Hill Climb Special based (very loosely) on Suzuki's new flagship SUV for the North American market.

The VVT (Variable Valve Timing) 3.6 litre V6 motor knocks out 993bhp and 738lb ft of torque with the aid of twin turbo chargers.

993bhp = 'enough' acceleration

The new XL7-based car is said to produce up to 35% more downforce compared to the previous Pikes Peak car.

Apparently, Monster has already set a new objective of “breaking the ten-minute barrier” when he returns for the 2008 event.

[madmat]

Oh how that brings back fond memories of sellotaping the throttle to the max and leaving Granturismo to finish its own endurance races! What a car!

[Shakiras peaches]

Pah! I'd love to see him park that in a multi-storey

[tuffer]

If you were to give that thing rooty toot along a runway, how much downforce would it produce at say 100mph?

[ehasler]

I'd love to know exactly how much protection those hay bales are meant to give!

[flattotheboards]

this is the car that suzuki should sell over here instead of those vitaras.

[Goochie]

That spoiler will be coming to a McDonalds car park near you, very soon..........



On the back of a 1.2 Corsa LS

[edb49]

Any videos of the run?

[rgracin]

Hmmmmm. So how does it produce the downforce?

[FourWheelDrift]

edb49 said:

Any videos of the run?

Only spectator clips so far - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PTsXbuxYctY&v2

[oagent]

I think its fair to say that its based VERY loosly on an SUV. The lights and grill look like stickers, and the only similarity in the motive department is that they will probably both burn unleaded of some variety.

[Mannginger]

rgracin said:

Hmmmmm. So how does it produce the downforce?

What do you mean? Am I missing something obvious?

Phil

[Ed.]

Aren't the old times for run from when it was a dirt track, shirly the presence of tarmac makes new to old time comparisons a little unfair?

[zac510]

Mannginger said:

What do you mean? Am I missing something obvious?

yes - sarcasm

[Mannginger]

zac510 said:

Mannginger said:

What do you mean? Am I missing something obvious?

yes - sarcasm

Doh!

[danhay]

I wonder what sort of time that would set on the IOM TT course?

[AxelS]

Ed. said:

Aren't the old times for run from when it was a dirt track, shirly the presence of tarmac makes new to old time comparisons a little unfair?

Ah, the good old times of the gravel track - I always enjoy viewing the old 80s clip of Ari Vatanen tackling Pikes Peak in his mid-engined Peugot - Google has it here.

[Ahonen]

rgracin said:

Hmmmmm. So how does it produce the downforce?

Via a very subtle front splitter, with the tiniest of fences, and a now-you-see-it-now-you-don't suggestion of a rear wing.

[MK4 Slowride]

Goochie said:

That spoiler will be coming to a McDonalds car park near you, very soon..........



On the back of a 1.2 Corsa LS

That's one hell of a pedestrian catcher of a front spoiler!

[jcpgasoline]

Rod Millen's a New Zealander, not an Aussie...

[all black]

jcpgasoline said:

Rod Millen's a New Zealander, not an Aussie...

just beat me to it