Former APRC driver Nobuhiro ‘Monster’ Tajima,has pledged his company’s future to green motorsport  – although he also plans to return to the legendary Pikes Peak hillclimb in 2011 with his 1000-horsepower Suzuki Vitara-based machine, in a bid to break the elusive 10-minute barrier.

Tajima’s Monster Sport firm has taken over the running of the factory Suzuki Swift Super 1600 campaign, which this year won the Junior World Rally Championship with Aaron Burkart. Next season, following the demise of the JWRC, the car is likely to be seen on a variety of international and national championships.

However, Tajima believes the long-term future for Monster Sport lies in green technology and electric cars.

“We are expanding our business to renewable energy, including the design and manufacturing of electric vehicles and producing power using solar and wind generators,” said Tajima, the winner of Pikes Peak for the last five years running. “Our ultimate goal is to create a truly renewable system where we can produce our own clean energy; recycle and greatly help in the fight against global warming.”

Electric rally cars have been seen before, notably in the Monte Carlo Alternative Energy Rally – won by an electric Tesla Roadster this year – but they have yet to break into the mainstream.