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Rod Millen to face Monster Tajima in Electric Division of Pikes Peak Hill Climb

The 91st running of the Pike's Peak International Hill Climb is scheduled to begin on June 30. Like last year's event, the 12.42 mile course - fully paved these days - starts at 9,390 feet elevation and doesn't stop climbing until it reaches an impressive 14,110 feet (the air is so thin up there that the FAA requires pilots to use oxygen at that altitude).
There will be an assortment of internal combustion machines racing to the summit, entries from France, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Sweden, Brazil, Canada, Great Britain, Hungary, Czech Republic, Poland and Belgium, but all eyes will be on the electric showdown between Rod Millen and Nobuhiro "Monster" Tajima, from Japan. 61-year-old Millen is a familiar name to Toyota racing fans, and he will be driving the Toyota TMG EV P002 (it won the Electric title last year), while Tajima will be again piloting the Monster Sport E-Runner (which was forced out of the field last year after a fire broke out).
Other entrants include Rhys Millen driving a 2013 Hyundai PM58OT and Paul Dallenbach, who will be driving Millen's Hyundai Genesis Coupe (it set the all-time speed mark last year).

Toyota's $1.6B unintended acceleration settlement approved

Toyota is now one step closer to putting its unintended acceleration woes behind it as it has received approval from the US District Court for the Central District of California to settle loss-of-value claims to vehicles associated with the 2009-2010 recalls.
As we reported back in May, the Toyota settlement is worth $1.63 billion, which, according to Bloomberg, includes a payout of $757 million to affected owners, $227 million to attorneys and an additional $875 million for vehicle upgrades. (We did the math, too, and that totals $1.859 billion, but there is no justification for the discrepancy. Fuzzy math, eh?)
Based on the estimated 22.6 million vehicles said to be included in this suit, that would make the average payment about $33.49 per vehicle, but the article says that owners, lessees and even renters will receive varying amounts ranging from $9.74 up to as much as $10,000. This settlement does not affect suits filed for personal injury or wrongful death.

2014 Toyota 4Runner priced at $32,820*

Toyota has announced pricing on its facelifted 2014 4Runner. The rough-and-tumble SUV will be available in three grades: base SR5, upmarket Limited and off-road-ready Trail. Depending on the trim level, buyers will have the choice of rear-drive or one of two different four-wheel drive systems. The sole engine is Toyota's 4.0-liter, 270-horsepower V6.
Entry-level buyers can get an SR5 for $32,820. That includes 17-inch wheels, fabric seats and Toyota's Entune infotainment system. Adding four-wheel drive bumps the price by $2,920, while the Premium Package (SofTex faux leather seats, navigation, sunroof, auto-dimming mirrors and power passenger seat) adds $1,875. All model prices listed do not include $860 for destination and tax.
The Trail starts at $35,725, while the Trail Premium bumps the price to $38,645, adding the same suite of equipment found on the SR5. While it boasts the same standard equipment as the SR5, the Trail is better suited for going off road. A multi-terrain response system comes standard, as does hill-start assist and Toyota's Crawl Control. For an extra sum, buyers can opt for the Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System, which automatically disconnects the sway bars for better articulation and trail holding.