The Pikes Peak Nissan GT-R: Tatsuru Ichishima's Record Run

In 2013, Spoon Sports founder Tatsuru Ichishima drove a Nissan GT-R R35 to a Pikes Peak International Hill Climb victory in the unlimited class. Pikes Peak — the legendary Colorado hill climb that ascends 14,115 feet to the summit of Pikes Peak through 156 corners — has tested Japanese performance cars for decades. Ichishima's R35 victory represented the peak of Japanese GT-R achievement at one of the world's most challenging hill climbs.

The Spoon Sports Connection

Spoon Sports is famous for Honda tuning, but Tatsuru Ichishima's interest in Pikes Peak transcended brand loyalty. He had been competing at Pikes Peak for years with various cars and was known as one of Japan's most skilled hill climb drivers. The R35 GT-R provided the platform he needed to win.

The Build

The Pikes Peak R35 included extensive modifications for the demanding course:

• Engine: Modified VR38DETT producing 800+ hp
• Aerodynamics: Massive aero package optimized for the high-altitude air
• Brakes: Race-spec system designed for sustained heavy braking on the descent
• Tires: Special high-performance tires for the variable conditions
• Cooling: Extensive cooling for sustained high-RPM operation at altitude

The high altitude of Pikes Peak (the summit is at 14,115 feet) means engines lose power proportional to altitude. A car making 800 hp at sea level might only produce 600 hp at the summit. The build had to compensate for this through forced induction tuning and extensive cooling.

The Race

In 2013, Ichishima drove the R35 GT-R to victory in the Pikes Peak unlimited class with a time that beat all competitors. The win demonstrated:

• The R35 GT-R's potential as a hill climb platform
• Ichishima's elite-level driving skill
• Japanese tuning's competitiveness at international hill climbs
• The R35's adaptability beyond circuit racing

Cultural Significance

The Pikes Peak GT-R win brought Japanese performance cars into the conversation about Pikes Peak hill climb history, which had been dominated by European and American teams. The victory was covered by international motorsport press and cemented the R35's reputation as a versatile platform.

Legacy

The Pikes Peak Nissan GT-R is one of the most accomplished international race cars built on the R35 platform. It demonstrated that Japanese performance cars could compete at the highest level in international motorsport beyond circuit racing.

For R35 GT-R fans and hill climb enthusiasts, this car represents an important chapter in Japanese motorsport history.