Monster Tajima to Tackle Pikes Peak With Electric Racer

Published May 23, 2012

By Huw Evans

He’s at it again. Having set the record for the fastest time to ascend the infamous mountain, Nobuhiro “Monster” Tajima has set another challenge: conquer Pikes Peak in record time with pure electric power.

This past weekend, his new steed, dubbed the Monster Sport E-Runner was revealed at Toyota’s Mega Web (essentially an automotive theme park) in Japan.

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Little information has yet been released on the car, though it does sport carbon fiber bodywork and a streamlined bubble canopy. Tajima is aiming to best his record 9 minute, 51.278-second run made last year and in order to do that; some serious battery power will likely be required.

However in view of some of the other EV entries being submitted this year, it looks like the Monster Sport E-Runner, which will be campaigned by team APEV (Association for the Promotion of Electric Vehicles), probably stands a better chance than most, though it might face a challenge from Mitsubishi’s i-MiEV Evolution.

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If Tajima does succeed in breaking his previous record, then what ‘s next? Will his victory establish electric vehicles as serious competitors at Pikes Peak? Could it lead to a proliferation of them in other motorsport arenas?

We’re interested to hear your thoughts on this one.

Team APEV via Autoblog Green

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