Cascade – This year’s Pikes Peak International Hill Climb has just one unlimited division driver. So all Nobuhiro Tajima has to do to collect a trophy and cash a check is to make it to the 14,110-foot finish line.
But Tajima, who is competing in the “Race to the Clouds” for the first time since 2000, has a chance at breaking the event’s 12-year overall course record in his hybrid Suzuki Grand Vitara.
The Japanese off-road racer has brought a 1,000 horsepower machine to the 84th Hill Climb, which begins at 9 a.m. Saturday. In April, Tajima drove to an overall record at New Zealand’s Race to the Sky.
The more challenging Pikes Peak course, which features 156 turns over 12.4 miles, rarely has been covered in less than 11 minutes since 1994, when Rod Millen took advantage of prime road conditions to set the overall mark of 10 minutes, 4.06 seconds.
Millen made his record run with big-budget backing from Toyota, before corporate support and purse amounts began to dwindle for America’s second-oldest race, which trails only the Indianapolis 500 in longevity.
Tajima is president of Suzuki Sport Co., which builds high-performance equipment for Suzuki vehicles, and he was easily the fastest among 42 car and truck competitors in Thursday’s first practice session. The 1995 unlimited winner, who is this year’s only competitor in what usually is the event’s quickest class, went from Cove Creek to the summit in 5:15.41. The next fastest time was 5:51.71, by Wally Dallenbach of Basalt.
Tajima, while happy with his best time in four half runs, said this year’s condensed two-day practice schedule has made it difficult to prepare for the race. Slower vehicles and caution flags cut Thursday’s planned five runs by one.
“We would like to make more runs but can’t under the circumstances,” he said. “The car is fine right now, but actually everything depends on the weather conditions and how they will affect the road from top to bottom.”
Other division favorites include past multiple champions from Southern Colorado: Clint Vahsholtz (super stock car), David Donner (open wheel), and Leonard Vahsholtz (Pikes Peak open).
Woodland Park’s Clint Vahsholtz, who is Leonard Vahsholtz’s son, is looking for his 10th consecutive stock car title.
Leonard Vahsholtz, who also lives in Woodland Park, has captured 15 titles in several divisions.
And Donner, from Colorado Springs, produced last year’s quickest time of 11:15.68, his third overall crown in 18 starts.
Donner, despite being third quickest in practice among open-wheel entries, said his experience and his 2006 Donner Special provides him with his best opportunity to reach the summit in 10 minutes or less.
“So much has been learned over the past few years in aerodynamics, engine management and suspension, it’s just such a thrill to turn it into a reality,” Donner said. “Obviously our goal is to win the open wheel class, but my true desire is to break the overall record.”
Two notable drivers had trouble in Thursday’s practice.
Danny Sullivan, the 1985 Indianapolis 500 winner who is competing in his first Hill Climb in the exhibition division, reportedly slid off the road near the ski area while driving down the mountain to return to the practice start line.
And open wheeler Paul Dallenbach of Basalt, the 2004 overall winner, blew an engine on his fourth run.
Both are expected to participate in today’s qualifying, which only affects the single-file starting order in each division.
Pikes Peak Hill Climb
What: 84th “Race to the Clouds”
When: 9 a.m. Saturday
Course: 12.4 miles, 156 turns
Overall record: Rod Millen, 10 minutes, 4.06 seconds, 1994
Defending overall winner: David Donner, 11:15.68
Tickets: $35 through today, $40 Saturday, available at Tickets West locations and the Pikes Peak Highway toll gate
Information: 719-685-4400 or www.ppihc.com
Mike Chambers can be reached at 303-820-5453 or mchambers@denverpost.com.
