Monster Tajima's Pikes Peak Escudo: First Japanese Sub-10
Nobuhiro 'Monster' Tajima drove a Suzuki Escudo up Pikes Peak and became the first Japanese driver under 10 minutes. The insane Escudo build that made it possible.
Monster Tajima's Pikes Peak Escudo: First Japanese Sub-10
On June 26, 2011, Nobuhiro "Monster" Tajima became the first Japanese driver to break the 10-minute barrier at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. The car that made it possible was a purpose-built Suzuki Escudo with a twin-turbocharged V6 making 900+ horsepower, built specifically for one event: 12.42 miles of pavement and dirt climbing from 9,400 feet to 14,110 feet of elevation.
Tajima's 2011 time was 9:51.278, setting a record that he would break again himself and that paved the way for the modern era of Pikes Peak competition.
The Driver
Nobuhiro Tajima (born 1950) is a Japanese rally driver who became obsessed with Pikes Peak in the 1990s. Between 1988 and 2011, he attempted the hill climb 21 times. He finished on the podium multiple times but the sub-10 minute barrier eluded everyone until the road was fully paved in 2011.
Tajima's nickname "Monster" came from his driving style — aggressive, committed, and willing to push the car to the limit on every corner of the mountain. His cars were always referred to as "Monster Sport" entries.
The Escudo Chassis
The base vehicle was a Suzuki Escudo (sold as the Grand Vitara in some markets), a small SUV that seemed like an absurd choice for a Pikes Peak racer. But Tajima's Escudo shared almost nothing with the production car:
- Custom tube chassis underneath the body shell
- Body panels taken from a production Escudo for rule compliance
- AWD drivetrain with race-grade differentials
- 5-speed sequential gearbox
- Carbon fiber panels for weight reduction
- Rally-spec suspension with adjustable race dampers
- Race cage welded throughout the chassis
The "Escudo" was more accurately described as a purpose-built hill climb prototype with Escudo body panels bolted on for homologation.
The Engine
- Suzuki V6 (twin-turbocharged)
- Displacement: ~3.0L
- Output: ~900+ horsepower (estimated, Tajima never published exact figures)
- Turbo: custom Garrett setup
- Weight: significant weight reduction — the complete car was under 800 kg
The engine was built specifically for Pikes Peak's altitude profile. At 14,110 feet elevation, atmospheric pressure drops by roughly 40%, meaning naturally aspirated engines lose significant power. Turbocharging maintains sea-level power at altitude, which is why every modern Pikes Peak contender uses forced induction.
The Aero
Tajima's Escudo had a radical aero package that drew from time attack and rally engineering:
- Massive front splitter with canards
- Oversized rear wing positioned for maximum downforce
- Aero fenders housing 305-section racing slicks
- Underbody panels and diffuser
- Widened track by ~6 inches per side
The aero was critical — Pikes Peak's corners run at racing speed, and downforce directly translated to cornering limits.
The 2011 Run
June 26, 2011 was the first year Pikes Peak was run on completely paved roads (previously the upper sections had been dirt). The change dramatically reduced lap times and made the sub-10 minute barrier possible for the first time.
Tajima's run:
- 0:00: Start at the starting line at 9,400 feet
- Halfway (Devil's Playground): On pace for record time
- Final kilometer: Visible throttle lift before the finish (Tajima reported later that he eased off once the record was secured)
- Finish: 9 minutes, 51.278 seconds — the first sub-10 run by any driver in history
The Record Context
Tajima's 2011 run was the first in the sub-10 era of Pikes Peak. Subsequent drivers have gone faster:
- Rhys Millen, 2013: 9:02.192 (first sub-9)
- Romain Dumas, 2018: 7:57.148 (in the electric Volkswagen I.D. R)
- Current record continues to fall as technology evolves
Tajima's time would be eclipsed quickly, but he holds the historic distinction of being the first.
Tajima's Legacy
Monster Tajima retired from Pikes Peak competition in the mid-2010s but remains a respected figure in hill climb racing. His Suzuki Escudo is preserved as a historic race car and occasionally appears at Japanese motorsport events. The modern Pikes Peak scene — with its purpose-built prototypes and multi-million-dollar budgets — traces its heritage back to Tajima's pioneering work with the Escudo.
Why the Tajima Escudo Matters
The Tajima Escudo proved that Japanese engineering could dominate Pikes Peak. For decades, the hill climb had been dominated by American and European entries. Tajima's sub-10 run broke that pattern and opened the door for Japanese manufacturers (Acura, Honda, Subaru, Toyota) to enter serious Pikes Peak programs. It also demonstrated what a dedicated driver with a purpose-built car could accomplish in an era before electric powertrain dominance. The 2011 sub-10 is a historic milestone that will never be unaccomplished.