Tajima, driving a 2009 Suzuki SX4, completed the 12.42-mile run in 10 minutes, 15.368 seconds, falling short of his goal of breaking the 10-minute barrier. It was also shy of his race record of 10:01.408, set in 2007.
Weather was a formidable opponent for drivers seeking to lower the race time record, with a 20-minute delay in the staggered runs because of rain and lightning. Crash victims included four-time Swedish rally champion Andreas Eriksson.
Two-time World Rally Championship titlist Marcus Grönholm of Finland finished 2nd in the unlimited class and posted the fifth-fastest time overall in his first attempt in the classic race. He drove a Ford Fiesta, a European model scheduled for introduction in the U.S. next year.
Rhys Millen, son of five-time champion Rod Millen of New Zealand, set a class record with a 12:09.397 run in a Hyundai Genesis coupe in the Time Attack two-wheel-drive division.
Winners of note included Paul Dallenbach, a three-time overall winner, who took his sixth Open Wheel class victory at 10:52.097 in a Chevy-powered machine.
A field of 163 in 17 classes of cars, trucks, motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles took part in the 87th edition of the famous race, first held in 1916. The course includes 156 corners on its paved and gravel surface and rises 4,721 feet in elevation from its starting point to the top of the 14,110-foot tall mountain.
Inside Line says: The famous Race to the Clouds continues to thrive despite its non-mainstream format, relative lack of media coverage and challenges from environmental groups, whose efforts have resulted in a court mandate to pave the course in sections in the coming years. — David Green, Correspondent
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