Monster Tajima's sub-10 minute run at Pikes Peak

[Bimmerman325i]

Also was there and saw it in person. Insanity.

Should probably mention that 10 of the 12 miles were raced with an overheating engine, which basically failed a couple corners from the end.

[Emre]

Very impressive time. Keep in mind the practically the entire course was asphalt (except for the last 3 miles) this time around. Naturally, you'd expect times to come down significantly.

That's why it's even more impressive that Rod Millen got within 4 seconds of breaking the 10 min barrier ... back when the course was still 100% gravel!

[blefevre]

Very true. Weather also plays a HUGE factor at pikes peak. It was a perfectly clear day with no rain so that helped a lot. Not as much as being mostly paved though. The last couple years I've been it's either been too dry the past month or there is rain/wind/hot/cold/hail/lightning at the top, which messes with times :)

[Bimmerman325i]

^^this.

Last year it went from being a nice balmy 60 degrees with clear skies to blizzarding in an hour. Mountains create their own weather.