Suzuki Sport Grand Vitara Hill Climb Special

[90ft]

Suzuki Grand Vitara & Monster Tajima
becomes Pikes Peak International Hill Climb Overall Winner!


On July 1st, 2006, Colorado Springs, CO U.S.A., 84th Pikes Peak International Hill Climb was held and "Monster" Tajima who drives Suzuki Grand Vitara Hill Climb Special has achieved overall win in this 90h anniversary event!

From the test, the car was performing very well. He has marked top time on both practice days on top section and bottom section.

Final day has started. But then a big threat has occurred. After the motorcycle division, the clouds came out, became black, and people wondered what happened. The start line was very fine weather. Suddenly, the snow started to fall on top section. Then after a while, popcorn size hail started to fall. The race was discontinued several times due to the danger of the condition. And finally it came to a conclusion that the race distance will be shortened 2/3, up to the 16 miles post.

It was pity that the course was shortened, but Tajima started off with full attack. The split time was faster than what record holder Rod Millen has. When Tajima crossed the finish line, there was a shout from the announcing. Tajima crossed the Devil's Playground's finish line in top time. He was 44 seconds faster than 2nd place W. Dallenbach, which was 7 min. 38 sec. Tajima became overall winner in the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb 90th anniversary event.



2006 Suzuki Sport Grand Vitara Hill Climb Special
Specification

Body
Base model Suzuki Grand Vitara
Frame Steel space frame
Cowl Carbon and Kevlar composite
Front wing & Rear wing Carbon and Kevlar composite
Aerodynamics
Front: Under wing
Rear: Diffuser + 3 wings
Engine
Model H27A
Type Liquid cooled V6 4 valves DOHC + 2 turbo, dry sump
Bore x stroke 88.0×75.0mm
Capacity 2736cc
Maximum horsepower（Net） 940ps/8400r.p.m（Sea level）
Maximum torque 91.0kg‐m/6280r.p.m（Sea level）
Power train
Gearbox Sequential 6-speed
Differential Front/Rear: Hydraulic Controlled ,Center: Mechanical multi plate
Clutch Triple plate direct release
Suspension
Type Front/Rear: Double wishbone
Brake
Disc Front: φ370mm ventilated / Rear: φ350mm ventilated
Caliper Front: 8 pot / Rear: 4 pot
Tire&Wheel
Tire Front/Rear: 285/60R18 FALKEN S/TZ04
Wheel Front/Rear: 18 x 11J
Dimensions *without front and rear wing
Length 5300mm
Width 1960mm
Height 1500mm
Wheelbase 2818mm
Tread Front: 1620mm / Rear: 1610mm
Weight
Race weight（without driver, fuel） 1030kg
Start weight 1,125kg
Weight distribution（with driver） Front: 53 / Rear: 47

[90ft]

2006 Suzuki Sport Grand Vitara Hill Climb Special
#2

[bobobobo]

yesssssssssssssssssssss!!!!!!!!!!!!

[derekthetree]

a great automobile. does anyone know how much it actually shares with a standard vitara?

also, when is the pikes peak track going to be fully tarmacced or has that been called off?

[Rockefella]

Originally Posted by derekthetree

does anyone know how much it actually shares with a standard vitara?

I'm gonna go out on a limb and say the badge and headlights.

[ag84]

repost
Suzuki Grand Vitara Hill Climb

[Ferrer]

Originally Posted by Rockefella

I'm gonna go out on a limb and say the badge and headlights.

The headlights on this car are a a sticker...

[hec16]

this car makes me remember the good days of grand turismo 2 when this car came out really powerful!

[fisetdavid26]

Originally Posted by hec16

this car makes me remember the good days of grand turismo 2 when this car came out really powerful!

It was called the Escudo back then and was a total and complete monster. No wonder it's one of the sponsor!

[Gtek-i]

Wow...another "ultimate" car for GT5...just another Escudo

[90ft]

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (July 24, 2007) – Nobuhiro “Monster” Tajima, driving his modified Suzuki Sport XL7 Hill Climb Special, broke the long-standing overall time record at the 85th Pikes Peak International Hill Climb near Colorado Springs, Colo., on July 21. Tajima crossed the Devil's Playground finish line posting a time of 10 minutes, 1.408 seconds, breaking the 1994 record of New Zealand’s Rod Millen by nearly three seconds.

“I’m excited about the victory and etching Suzuki’s name in the Pikes Peak record books,” said Tajima. “I look forward to challenging Pikes Peak next year with the goal of breaking the 10-minute barrier.”

Suzuki and Monster Tajima first challenged Pikes Peak in 1988. He first won the Unlimited Division in 1993 driving a Twin Engine Suzuki Cultus. Again in 1995, he drove a Twin Engine Suzuki Escudo to the overall win. Tajima was named overall winner in the 2006 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, and this year, from the time the carbon fiber clad, twin-turbocharged, 1,000-horsepower XL7 racecar rolled off the trailer, he was the driver to beat.

The Pikes Peak International Hill Climb is called the “Race to the Clouds” and its proud history goes back to 1916. The race starts at an altitude of 9,390 feet above sea level (2,862 meters), and finishes at 14,110 feet above sea level (4,300 meters). The altitude change is 4,593 feet or 1,400 meters. In just 12.5 miles (20 kilometers) the course winds through a total of 156 corners.

The race is simple; whoever finishes with the fastest time wins. The course is made up of three sections; the high-speed, paved section on the bottom, the technical section in the middle and the barren, gravel road at the top section - located above the tree line. There are no guardrails so there can be no mistakes by the drivers. Just one mistake puts drivers and vehicles off the course and down the cliff.

The combination of high altitude and low oxygen makes the course tough on both normally aspirated racecars and their normally aspirated drivers. To conquer Pikes Peak, the race vehicles need large wings, good aerodynamic balance and nearly 1,000 horsepower.