Thank you for your encouragement! I set the new world record.

Looking back at the race, I realize the greatness of Pikes Peak Auto Hill Climb and the toughness of the goal to beat the record.
I started competing in this race in 1988. It is really fantastic for me to set the record at this memorable 85th competition and the 20th challenge for me and to let a Japanese name be part of this race history.

-Race Report

21st July
The weather was fine. There was no cloud in the sky in the morning. When all ceremonies finished, the Car No.1 started.

In the past, the 2 wheels divisions used to start first, and then, the 4 wheels divisions. But 4 wheels divisions were often hit by bad weather in the latter half of the race; therefore the order has changed this year. I was the last one to start in the 4 wheels divisions.

Though the beginning of the lower section is asphalt, it was slippery because of last night's rain and sand scattered everywhere on the road. I carefully chose the line and went to the Picnic Ground.

Then I went to the first gravel section after the picnic ground. It was so gravelly, so rough because of last night's rain that it prevented me to reach a higher speed. I was in a hurry but at seeing the gallery encouraging me at Glen Cove, I thought that the time was good. So, I relaxed and went to the tarmac section.

After passing the Double Cut in the middle section, the course became a sharp climb. The altitude was almost 4000m above sea level. It started to be difficult to breathe. The engine also seemed to have difficulties generating power. Then I saw a lot of fans waiting for me at the Devils Play Ground. Some of them were even waving Japanese flags. How supporting they were!

Finally I reached the upper section. It was the high-speed gravel road, the typical road of Pikes Peak. I had confidence on this road because I was the fastest to run during the practice days on this section. But the road conditions were worse than the gravel part of the lower section. I did my best but I didn't manage to increase the speed.
I had the feeling that I could stay on the course only thanks to the FALKEN tires especially made for this race.

Contrary to my "in hurry" state of my mind, it was getting more and more difficult to breathe. The engine and the turbochargers on the car were also gasping for air.

-Just this close to the goal...
I rushed in the finish line bearing the difficulty of breathing and taking care of the machine.

The clock indicated ...10-minute 1.408 seconds! Wow! I have broken the record! I have become the first Asian champion and the new record holder. Considering the ground conditions, it was a good time though I couldn't break the 10-minute barrier. I am satisfied with this year's result.

At the same time, many ideas to break the 10 minutes barrier have emerged in my mind! Just thinking about it makes me really excited.

Finally I would like to thank all the sponsors, supporters, fans and team staffs from the bottom of my heart.

Sincerely,
From Pikes Peak, Colorado Springs
SUZUKI SPORT Nobuhiro Tajima

-Race Day

Nobuhiro Tajima, the president of Susuki Sport has won the 85th Pikes Peak International Hill Climb in ten minutes and one seconds, breaking the record previously held by Rod Millen thirteen years ago.

The precise record set by "Monster" Tajima and SUZUKI SPORT XL7 Hill Climb Special is as below;

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 16mile point in 7'3"408, then the last section to the finish line in 10'1"408.
His feat will be written on the Guinness Book of Records.

Though he is delighted with his victory, he has already set a new goal and has begun to plan.

-"Break the ten-minute barrier"
Today is not the end of a goal but the start of a new challenge. Our challenge to return to the Pikes Peak in 2008 to rewrite his own record has already begun.

Today, we ran the bottom section.
The road was completely wet because of last night's rain! (actually, it looked much more like a storm).
Today was dedicated to the inspection of the road and I refrained from doing a time attack. I also tested the tires I will use for the race day. Finally, I achieved the best time on each section (Middle, Top and Bottom).

By the way, an event for fans was held in the center of Colorado Springs so all roads were closed until now. The mayor also attended the event and a lot of people had come. It was very exciting.
I participated to a TV live and was interviewed by 3 radio stations. It was a very busy day today! I am still surprised by Pikes Peak popularity.

Tomorrow will be dedicated to the car maintenance and to rest for all staff (wake up at 2:00 am, go to sleep after 10:00 pm: these days have been so tough!)

from Pikes Peak, Colorado Springs
SUZUKI SPORT Nobuhiro Tajima

- Practice Day3

We got up at 2:30 am, left the hotel and we arrived at the Upper Section at 4:00 am. I checked the course with an XL7 (a rental car for moving around) in the dark until dawn. The top of the peak is 4311m above the sea level and it was still the night so the temperature was low like in the winter.
We even put the heater on in the car while checking the course. As the road was more slippery than expected, I wanted to check it very carefully. The reason why is that after the groups ran this section yesterday the maintenance threw gravels on the road.
At 5:15 am, the practice started though it was still dark!
Rally cars equipped with headlights were the first to begin.
I checked my machine while waiting for sunrise because driving very fast in the dark is dangerous.

Today's practice occurred at the Upper Section (over 4300m high, completely covered with gravel), so we tested the following things:

Amongst everything, the choice of tires was the most difficult. The road is long until the Upper Section, so tires get abraded and deeply damaged. The last part of the Upper section is completely covered with gravel. How should I run it? I carefully checked tires during today's test. I found out that new FALKEN tires are wonderful. I could drive the car with a great security feeling.

In today's Upper Section, I set a new time record never done until here in the 85 Pikes Peak races history (highest speed too).
Local radio stations and TV crews are arguing that the race record might be broken depending on tomorrow's test on the bottom section. I will run the practice day 3 with the highest concentration tomorrow!
I'm looking forward your continued support!


from Pikes Peak, Colorado Springs
SUZUKI SPORT Nobuhiro Tajima

- Practice Day2

Today was the first practice day. We started from the Middle Section for the tarmac test. Tomorrow tests will be done in the Upper Section completely covered with gravel and, the day after tomorrow, in the Lower Section which begins with tarmac and ends with gravel.

This year, qualifications are held at the same time than practice days. By extending the bottom section to Glen Cove, the organizer decided to consider the time on this section as the qualifying time. As a result, there is one qualifying day less, a decision appreciated by many competitors.

Today, we ended the test with the best time by far. Tomorrow, we will test tires to check the grooving performance on the gravel road of the Upper Section.

from Pikes Peak, Colorado Springs
SUZUKI SPORT Nobuhiro Tajima

- Practice Day1

He is a representative of a company, but most of all he is a driver! Monster Tajima will be challenging Pikes Peak this year with new machine "Suzuki Sport XL7 Hill Climb Special" to break the record.

Last year, Monster came back to Pikes Peak having 5 year break in between and achieved overall win. But he could not beat the record because of bad weather having the course to be shortened. This year, he has got new weapon.

The machine has changed to XL7 which is Suzuki's new flag ship in U.S.A. V6 VVT(Variable Valve Timing) 3.6 liter engine has been up suited with twin turbo charger, which is now producing 1007ps and 102kg-m. To get a grip on the road, aerodynamics has been refined and now it has increased the downforce of more than 35% compare to 2006 model. Falken has once again made the tyres for this machine. Everything is ready for to break the record.