Video: 'Monster' shatters Pikes Peak 10-min barrier

It seems fitting that the 10-minute barrier at the Pikes Peak hillclimb was finally broken by race veteran Nobuhiro 'Monster' Tajima, who has been competing at the Colorado event almost every year since 1988.

The record was already his before he set off up the 12-mile course, but the real target was to be the first under the legendary 600 second limit. Monster, already something of a legend himself, managed it in 9:51.278 at the wheel of his 900bhp Suzuki SX4 Hill Climb Special.

His achievement was made all the more special by the fact that this could be the last year where the event features an extensive gravel section. According to monster himself, it could well be all tarmac by next year. That will be a shame, but we'll still have this video to remember the good times by.

Click below to watch.