ERIKSSON AIMS TO TAKE OUT 2006 SILVERSTONE RACE TO THE SKY TITLE

Former high profile World Rally Championship rally driver Kenneth Eriksson of Sweden is making a third appearance at the Silverstone Race to the Sky determined to topple reigning champion Monster Tajima from his throne.

The Japanese ace has won the gruelling Cardrona Valley hillclimb six times, but last year was put under threat by Eriksson in the former Possum Bourne WRC Subaru, particularly during qualifying when Eriksson was the fastest on the hill.

However in the main event Tajima proved too tough crossing the finish line in 8m.10.84 secs which was close to his own record of 8.10 set in 2003. Eriksson was second in 8.22.53 but was dogged by engine trouble.

"We destroyed an engine in the last run three to four kilometres from the top," says the car's owner Craig Vincent of Vantage Aluminium. "We had already wrecked two engines before we got to the event and the third one was a bit of a bitsa."

Now Vincent and Eriksson are serving notice that this year's engine should achieve what they want.

"Obviously Kenneth wants the title and he is only interested in winning. He wants a real chance at winning in a car which is capable of finishing first and that's what we're working on."

Eriksson is a former racing colleague of Possum Bourne and has become a Race to the Sky crowd favourite. Vincent says to be competitive the car needs to be able to get close to the 8minute barrier.

"If you're going to win that’s the benchmark."

Vincent says while the car has a new engine and new suspension, as well as some changes to the transmission and minor aerodynamic modifications, it has been important to retain it as a WRC car.

"We are not trying to turn it into a hot rod. This does inhibit us a bit as to what we can do but above all it is a WRC car."

This means the car will run with less horsepower than Monster Tajima will have.

"But we are certainly looking for a better balanced package this year and probably have 50hp more which is a 10 per cent increase on last year. It will certainly be useful."

Eriksson will arrive in New Zealand at the beginning of March to test the car in the build up to his campaign to take the 2006 King of the Mountain title.

The 2006 Silverstone Race to the Sky is scheduled for Easter Weekend April 15 and 16 at  The Snow Farm in the Cardrona Valley, close to Queenstown and Wanaka.

Gates open from 7.30am on both days . Gate admission $35 per adult, school children $10 and under 5’s free. Gold Pass $125.