ACHTUNG - JAWOL AND ALL
author: Leon Botha
Thinking back to the days when we were in the army, like it or not, you had to jerk yourself into a position of "Attention" the moment any officer walked past or came into a room.
Sorry - I need to explain - "Army" was a place where young men were forced to get fit, learn discipline, respect, how to defend yourself and your country and in general fool around between friends for nine to 18 months depending on the luck of their draw.
This has been replaced by visiting a shopping mall, hanging around in Hatfield Square, using lipstick and mascara, going to Nathaniel shows and in some cases driving rally-cars! The closest to attention the current generation gets is when they need to figure out which credit card to use to pay for what they bought.
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Monster - still full of hope before the event
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After a week-long visit to Pikes Peak old Nobuhiro “Monster” Tajima managed to win the event the fifth time in succession, but alas - he failed to break that magic 10minute barrier once again and this time missed it by 11.490 seconds!
The much published possible upset coming from Rhys Millen as how he was going to slay the monster and tame the mountain - also came to naught! The monster trampled on him and the mountain still demands a salaam and a jerk to attention!
Monster was apparently quite shocked when informed that he did not break the record after he thought that he did a stellar run!
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Rhys Millen doing his best
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When asked what he thought it would take to break the 10 minute barrier up the mountain he replied, "Another 12 months of preparation!"
Millen did not enjoy a good week and probably due to the fact that the car was completed shortly before the event, he suffered several problems with his brand-new RMR Hyundai-powered PM580 racer, finishing third in the Unlimited class with a time of 11:06.208.
The other Unlimited class runner, Paul Dallenbach, put up a fantastic time of 10:39.534 to take second overall.
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The Yokohama EV Sport Concept HER-02
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It was interesting to see the Yokohama EV Sport Concept HER-02 posted a record breaking time of 13m17.575 seconds up the killer mountain.
So, if BP spills all the oil into the sea and the oil driven sheiks decide to up the price of petrol again when they have to replace their current fleet of Bugattis and convertable camels, there is hope.
Quieter, smoother, cleaner and still exciting. All you need to do is keep your foot flat on the power pedal, turn 156 times and Watt's your uncle!
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