Race Day (7/21)
From "Tajima's Talk"
http://www.suzukisport.com/motorsport/hillclimb/07/ppihc/en/index.html 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 wet and 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 and heavily wet 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 the 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 minutes 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 minutes 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
Driver Car No. Halfway Picnic Ground Glen Cove Sixteen Mile Finish Line
NobuhiroTajima 1 01:42.197 04:29.191 07:03.878 10:01.408
Nobuhiro Tajima, the president of Susuki Sport won the 85th Pikes Peak International Hill Climb in ten minutes and one seconds, breaking the record previously held by Rod Milen for thirteen years.
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 record will be written in the Guinness Book of Records.
Though he has been delighted at his victory, he has set new goal has started to plan.
-"Break the ten-minute barrier"
Today is not the end of a goal but the start of new challenge. Our challenge to return to the Pikes Peak in 2008 to rewrite his own record has already begun
