E-Runner Pikes Peak Special
Nobuhiro "Monster" Tajima committed to competing in the 2014 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, which will be held on June 29 in Colorado Springs.
The race is a 12.42-mile, 156-turn course that ends at 14,110 feet.
The Japanese driver, after 9 wins in ICE racers including six straight from 2006-2011 and the first-ever result below the 10-minute mark (9:51.278) in 2011, now for the third time will start in the E-Runner Pikes Peak Special electric car in the electric division.
Year 2012 wasn't a lucky one for Tajima at Pikes Peak because of motor failure. Year 2013 wasn't as it should be because of rain and E-Runner went out on wet tires. Regardless, last year Nobuhiro "Monster" Tajima won the EV class with a time 09:46.530, which was the seventh time in the history of Pikes Peak Hill Climb and gave him fifth place in overall standings.
Now, we are looking forward to the third attempt and hoping for a podium finish for an EV for the very first time in America’s second-oldest motor sports race behind the Indy 500.
Technically, the E-Runner PIkes Peak Special is probably similar to the one that was field in 2013. We still see two motors (GKN EVO eDrive systems), SIM-Drive controller and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries MLiX cells.
Here is a brief description of Nobuhiro "Monster" Tajima:
"Nicknamed “Monster” by fans and foes alike, the 63-year old driver shows no sign of retiring from the PPIHC any time soon, and that’s great news for fans who will be on the course again this year to watch the famed auto-motorcycle classic."
"He made his racing debut in 1968 in the All-Japan Dirt Trial Championship where he won his first race. In 1983, he established Monster Sports International, a motorsport preparation shop. In 1986 he established Suzuki Sport and returned to the World Rally scene where he competed driving a Suzuki Cultus in the Olympus Rally."
"In all, he has taken nine All Japan Dirt Trial Championship titles, four WRC Championship class wins, two class wins in the Asia-Pacific Rally Championships, and his ten Pikes Peak crowns."
So, if anyone has a shot at getting an EV on the podium, our money would be on "Monster" Tajima.
