'Monster' Tajima breaks his own record at Pikes Peak International Hill Climb

Nobuhiro "Monster" Tajima used the extra pavement to his advantage and smashed his old Pikes Peak International Hill Climb record by more than 10 seconds on June 26, with a finishing time of 9 minutes, 51.278 seconds.

Tajima's old record of 10 minutes, 1.408 seconds was set in 2007. Hyundai driver Rhys Millen came in second in the Unlimited class with a time of 10 minutes, 9.24 seconds.

Tajima attacked the hill in a highly modified all-wheel-drive Suzuki SX4 featuring a twin-turbocharged V6 that makes 900 hp. The aerodynamics were reworked for more downforce at speed and less drag.

Other records also were broken this year:

-- Keith Davidson took the Vintage class with a time of 12 minutes, 44.126 seconds in a 1963 Ford Falcon.

-- Rod Millen, father of Rhys Millen, set a new class record for the Time Attack 2WD class in a Hyundai Genesis coupe.

-- Clint Vahsholtz broke the Super Stock record in a 2006 Ford Mustang.

The 12.42-mile course in Colorado Springs, Colo., has more than 150 turns, winding from 9,390 feet to an altitude of 14,111 feet. It's a mixture of gravel and tarmac, the latter taking over more of the course for 2011.

The peak was first conquered (in an automobile) by two Denver men in a Locomobile Steamer, with the trip taking more than nine hours. In 1916, Stephen Penrose, one of the benefactors of the city of Colorado Springs, thought the hill climb would make a great tourist attraction, and the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb was born.

The 89th running of the event saw 194 drivers from 10 countries including France, Italy, Japan, Spain and New Zealand.

By Jake Lingeman