When Nobuhiro Tajima begins his annual assault on the Peak on July 8, he will be trying for a seventh straight crown, but this time not in the Unlimited Division that he has dominated. Last year, the Monster set the Peak record of 9:51.278 in becoming the first driver to crack the elusive ten-minute mark.
This summer, the Japanese legend will be going for a new record in historic fashion, behind the wheel of a brand-new entry in the Electric Division.
His switch this week leaves the high-profile Unlimited Division wide open, with a sensational lineup that includes Jean-Philippe Dayraut of France, Hungary’s Kris Antal, British drivers Liam Doran and Mark Rennison, and American stars and Pikes Peak aces Paul Dallenbach, David Donner and David Carapetyan.
At a big media event in Tokyo earlier this month, Tajima did not release details, but did mention that the power train will be a twin motor system with regenerative brakes. Some of the partners in this project are Team APEV, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, GoPro, NTN and Falken Tires.
Tajima’s goal this year is to participate and win a world-famous auto race in an electric vehicle, with Team APEV with Monster Sports. His other mission includes participation in activities such as aiding the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake disaster areas, environmental education project for children and projects to promote active participation from the senior citizens of Japan.Â
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