Rocket RON KIRKMAN AIMING FOR TOP 20 IN SILVERSTONE RACE TO THE SKY

'Rocket' Ron Kirkman will be the oldest man on the track at the 2006 Silverstone Race to the Sky in the Cardrona Valley at Easter but has given notice he won't be the slowest.

Kirkman turns 70 in June this year and his name is legendary in Race to the Sky circles.

He is planning to make a big comeback this year on his distinctive Rocket quad bike after 'a terrible year last year.'

"Last year I get so cheesed off with my bike," says the 2001 Quad Bike Championship winner. " It was too light in the front, missed on the corners and had no power at the top of the hill."

But this year he has made lots of improvements, with the assistance of Peter Davidson of Rallyart New Zealand which he claims will make all the difference.

"He suggested I put the fuel injectors back on which is a big help. We actually made 186 changes in the computer and the bike is certainly handling much better."

Kirkman's goal at this year's race to the Sky is to finish in the top 20 which he says will be a tough challenge in the competitive field.

"I also want to get my time closer to 9 minutes. I've always been around the 9.5 min mark but want to go below it this year."

Kirkman has been invited back to Pike's Peak in Colorado this year. He last competed there in 2001 and still holds the record in the exhibition class. "After five years I still have the record and am really excited about going back. I want to chop at least half a minute off that time."

Kirkman's fame has spread and TV1's Sunday programme is producing a documentary on his racing career , which started with go karts, many years ago in Northland. The cameras will follow him at the Race to the Sky and there will also be footage from Pike's Peak.

For Ron Kirkman turning 70 is no deterrent to competing.  "I've just passed my fitness test with flying colours. I'm as fit as I was four years ago and I will be more aggressive than ever this year. Okay it can be scary going up the hill at 200kmh but I don't have any trouble with it."