Pikes Peak winner, Royal Lexus and Formula 1 stars from Goodwood ...
This weekend the stunning Pikes Peak mountain in Colorado was once again the host of the annual hill-climb race. Steeped in tradition, the event is facing changes due to the surfacing of the 20 km road up the mountain. This year represented the final time that the event was run using partly unpaved sections and in addition to taking the outright win, the target was the magical 10-minute barrier. Both were achieved by the defending champion Nobuhiro 'Monster' Tajima with his Suzuki SX4 Monster Sport Pikes Peak Special. This very extreme machine features a 900 bhp engine mounted amidships in a bespoke steel spaceframe. Tajima's fastest time was a mind-boggling 9:51.278.
Specifically for the July 2nd wedding of Prince Albert II of Monaco and Charlene Wittstock, Lexus have created this LS 600h L Landaulet. The most striking feature is the glass dome that covers the rear section of the car and offers the occupants a perfect view out of the car and the spectators a similar view into the car.
The Goodwood Festival of Speed always attracts a host of Grand Prix racers, ranging from the earliest leviathans to the latest Formula 1 cars. While the newest cars are no longer gunning for the quickest times, the classic examples are still going for it. Last year Roger Wills set the fastest time of the weekend in his Williams FW05 Cosworth. This unique machine was the only example made during the 1976, joining two former Hesketh 308Cs in the Walter Wolf backed Williams stable. These two have been converted back to Hesketh trim, making this car the sole FW05 in existence today. Of a slightly newer vintage is the Alfa Romeo 182 F1 that also starred at Goodwood in 2010 as part of the centenary celebrations of the Italian manufacturer. It was one of the last naturally aspirated Formula 1 cars built before all teams switched to forced induction engines. By contrast this Benetton B188 Ford was one of the first of a new generation of naturally aspirated cars anticipating the 1989 ban of turbos. Faced with the all-conquering McLaren MP4/4, it was in close competition with the 1988 Ferrari for the best of the rest position.
Formula 1 cars will no doubt star again at Goodwood this coming weekend with a majority of the current teams and drivers committed to demonstrating their machinery. Tickets are only available ahead of the event on the Goodwood Website.
Enjoy the links:
1982 Alfa Romeo 182 F1 - Images, Specifications and Information
1988 Benetton B188 Ford - Images, Specifications and Information
2011 Lexus LS 600h L Landaulet - Images, Specifications and Information
2011 Suzuki SX4 Monster Sport Pikes Peak Special - Images, Specifications and Information
1976 Williams FW05 Cosworth - Images, Specifications and Information
If you should see a man walking down a crowded street talking aloud to himself, don't run in the opposite direction, but run towards him, because he's a poet. You have nothing to fear from the poet - but the truth.
(Ted Joans)
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