Tajima finishes first, but doesn't break record at Hill Climb

First came jubilation, then disappointment and disbelief for Nobuhiro Tajima in his quest to break his Pikes Peak International Hill Climb record.

After the dust settled Sunday on America's mountain, no record had been set. And cash-strapped Hill Climb organizers were off the hook for a $25,000 payout.

Misled by an erroneous radio report, Tajima thought he might have broken the record he set last year before learning he missed it by 17 seconds on a 12.42-mile course that featured greasy asphalt and loose gravel.

When Tajima, 58, of Tokyo, stepped out of his 2008 Suzuki XL7, a KRDO 1240 AM reporter told the "Monster" he had finished in 10 minutes, 1 second - the same time he posted in his 2007 record run.

"Again!" Tajima exclaimed at the 14,115-foot summit.

Less than 10 minutes later, the reporter was told Tajima's official time was 10:18.250, and Hill Climb legend Leonard Vahsholtz, providing color commentary for KRDO, informed Tajima of the change.

"Really?" Tajima said. "That's different."

He hardly believed it, staring at a paper with his time.

"Big difference," said Tajima, the winner in the 177-competitor field.

If Tajima had become the first person to crack the 10-minute barrier, he would have collected $25,000 - a potentially big blow to the Hill Climb, on shaky financial ground because of a lack of sponsorships.

Tajima blazed to the Halfway Picnic Grounds, about 3 miles from the start line, in 1:44.897. He reached Glen Cove, about 6 miles from the start line, in 4:34.440, more than five seconds off last year's pace.

Unstable dirt the final 3-plus miles past Devil's Playground slowed Tajima, and he couldn't generate maximum production from a $1 million car with a new turbocharger and a new V6 engine that produces nearly 1,000 horsepower.

"The conditions were totally different," Tajima said. "This year was very tough and very hard for me just making it to the top. My car is better than last year, and I am also better than last year."

Woodland Park resident Paul Dallenbach, the biggest threat to Tajima, never discovered the groove he had during practice in his 2008 PVA 4.

Like Tajima, Dallenbach, 41, struggled to maintain control on 6½ miles of dirt with no moisture and finished second in 11:00.944.

"I was all over the place," Dallenbach said. "There was not a groove to be found. This last corner, I was spinning my tires. I felt like I was wasting time."

Asked what he can do to make up time on the upper section, Tajima said, "Good question. I have no idea."

Tajima already is pondering a return trip to Pikes Peak.

"The 10-minute barrier is still there," he said. "I want to break the 10-minute barrier."

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CONTACT THE WRITER: 636-0256 or brian.gomez@gazette.com