MONSTER TAJIMA TAKES SIXTH RACE TO THE SKY TITLE
The Silverstone Race to the Sky King of the Mountain title, has been won by Japan’s Monster Nobuhiro Tajima for the sixth time, when he almost equalled his own 8.10secs record, set in 2003.
Swedish rally ace Kenneth Eriksson, who had served notice since the first practice round on Saturday, that he would be taking Tajima head-on in the former Possum Bourne WRC Subaru, finished second in 8.22.53.
When Eriksson crossed the finish line with the fastest time on the leader board, the crowd waited in anticipation for Tajima’s final run. But the race again belonged to Tajima whose time of 8.10.84 paralleled the 8.10.02 he clocked two years ago.
Tajima had hoped to go under eight minutes but says the conditions on the challenging Waiorau Snow Farm road did not favour it. In some parts the road was not dry enough and some corners were slippery.
Third place went to Andrew Hawkeswood in his Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 8 who put in a powerful performance to finish in 8.31.55. It was his first podium finish at the Race to the Sky,and also earned him the Possum Bourne Memorial Trophy, for the fastest New Zealand competitor. His time also broke the Open 4WD class record of 8.37 held by Possum Bourne.
Ex pat Kiwi Rod Millen who has been a consistent placegetter was edged into fourth place in 8.32.99. Popular competitor Marty Roestenburg who entered a Subaru Impreza WRX this year finished fifth in 8.40.17.
The start line up was just what Tajima had dreaded. His arch rival Millen managed again to achieve the fastest time in the rally shoot out of 1.14.72 giving him the ultimate choice of start position.
Tajima’s Suzuki Escudo was quick but not quick enough. Recording the second fastest time of 1.15.00 he had to take the last place on the grid. He had earlier claimed that Millen’s Toyota Hi Lux threw out huge rocks which were unavoidable and he wanted to be in front.
The shoot out was the traditional crowd pleaser with Millen receiving a standing ovation for his incredible feats over the jump on the Silverstone straight in his Toyota Hi Lux.
Dunedin’s Emma Gilmour made an impressive first appearance finishing ninth overall in 8.51.85. It is the first top 10 finish by a woman competitor at the Race to the Sky. Her performance rewarded the all night effort by her race crew, to prepare her car after major mechanical problems in practice.
Peggy Bourne was a popular competitor entering the race as a tribute to Possum. She was delighted with the performance of her Subaru Impreza WRX. Accompanied by professional co-driver Mark Stacey she recorded 10.32.87 in the main race which was significantly faster than her qualifying rounds.
The quad bike title went to Ian Ffitch who was sixth overall in 8.41.36 and the motorcycle title was won by Nathan McAlwee who finished 19th in 9.19.13 toppling long time title holder Craig Hyde who was close behind in 20th place in 9.19.67.
