Image credits: © Suzuki.

2007 Suzuki Grand Vitara Pikes Peak Special news, pictures, and information

Suzuki Grand Vitara & Monster Tajima becomes Pikes Peak International Hill Climb Overall Winner!

On July 1st, 2006, Colorado Springs, CO U.S.A., 84th Pikes Peak International Hill Climb was held and 'Monster' Tajima who drives Suzuki Grand Vitara Hill Climb Special has achieved overall win in this 90h anniversary event!

From the test, the car was performing very well. He has marked top time on both practice days on top section and bottom section.

Final day has started. But then a big threat has occurred. After the motorcycle division, the clouds came out, became black, and people wondered what happened. The start line was very fine weather. Suddenly, the snow started to fall on top section. Then after a while, popcorn size hail started to fall. The race was discontinued several times due to the danger of the condition. And finally it came to a conclusion that the race distance will be shortened 2/3, up to the 16 miles post.

It was pity that the course was shortened, but Tajima started off with full attack. The split time was faster than what record holder Rod Millen has. When Tajima crossed the finish line, there was a shout from the announcing. Tajima crossed the Devil's Playground's finish line in top time. He was 44 seconds faster than 2nd place W. Dallenbach, which was 7 min. 38 sec. Tajima became overall winner in the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb 90th anniversary event.

'Race to the clouds' This is what is called Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. History goes back to 1916. This year, it was the 84th time the race was held.

Race start line altitude 2,862m, and finishes at 4,300m. The difference is 1,400m.
Distance of 20km, consists of 156 corners. The race is simple. Whomever finishes with fastest time, wins! The course is made up of 3 sections High speed section on bottom, complicated in middle, and no wood can not survive deserted area after 3,660m, where it is called a top section.

The competitor have to drive all the way through these 3 different sections.The surface is mixed, some part hard gravel and other tarmac. No guard rails, which means that no mistake will eventually run off the course and down the cliff.

Also the high altitude will suffer from low oxygen which is very tough for the drivers. Machine also needs big wings, good aerodynamic balance, and most of all 1000ps to conquer the course.

Suzuki and Monster Tajima started the challenge in 1989. In 1993, Twin Engine Cultus has won the Unlimited Division. And on 1995, Twin Engine Escudo has achieved overall win. 1995 was same situation as this year as the course was shortened due to the bad weather.

Source - Suzuki Sport

The Suzuki Sidekick, as it was known in North America, was produced under various names from 1989 through 2003. The Sidekick was known by many names; in Europe it was the Vitara as well as North America after 1999, and the Suzuki Escudo, which was produced from 1989 through 2004. The project was a joint venture between General Motors and Suzuki. GM's version were known as the Geo Tracker, after 1998 they were the Chevrolet Tracker. In Canada they were the Pontiac Sunrunner, in Spain it was the Santana 300 and 350. It even carried a Mazda badge in the Japanese market.

For the North American market, the Suzuki Sidekick was first introduced in 1989. It was offered in two bodystyles including a two-door convertible or hardtop. The JA version was fitted with a 1.3-liter engine. The JX and JLX trim levels had a 1.6-liter engine rated at 80 horsepower and given a four-wheel drive system. The JLX version was removed from the line-up in 1990. A four-door version of the Sidekick was introduced in 1991, sitting on a larger wheelbase, and greatly enhancing the versatility and appeal of the vehicle. A Sport version appeared in 1996, featuring a 1.8-liter engine that was good for 120 horsepower. The package included 16-inch alloy wheels, a two-tone paint scheme, and dual airbags for safety.

1996 was the same year Suzuki introduced their X-90, which was basically a Sidekick with two doors, seating for two, a trunk, removable T-bar roof, and a much rounder body. Mechanically, they were identical. The X-90 never sold well as the public did not agree with the design. Production lasted for a short time, ending in 1998.

In 1999, the Sidekick/Escudo/Vitara was redesigned. For North America, the name 'Sidekick' was dropped in favor of Vitara. The four-seater vehicle could be purchased with a 1.3L, 1.6L, or 1.8L four-cylinder engine with carburetion or electronic fuel injection. Diesel engines were made available in Europe. A four-speed manual was standard, with a five-speed manual and automatic being offered as optional equipment. The Vitara came in two- or four-door models or soft-top 2-door models.

The Vitara remained in production in North America until 2003. Its twin, the Chevrolet Tracker, follwed the same fortune the following year.

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