The Silverstone Race to the Sky’s most high profile competitor, Japan’s ‘Monster’ Nobuhiro Tajima, will be flying the flag again at this year’s Easter event, with a focus on breaking his existing record on the notorious Waiorau Snow Farm hill.
Tajima is a crowd favourite and last year won the King of the Mountain title for the sixth time in his Suzuki Escudo equalling his 2003 record of 8m 10.84. He was threatened during the practice round by Swedish rally ace Kenneth Eriksson in the former Possum Bourne WRC Subaru, but in the final run was too good crossing the line in first place to take the title.
Monster Sport Australia Team Manager Paul Wilding says few changes have been made to the distinctive red Suzuki since last year.
“Its been pulled apart and put back together, we’ve gone over it from top to bottom but there are no major changes.”
However the car will race on different tyres this year and Wilding expects they will make a difference.
The aim is to break the 8 minute barrier but he says it will be weather dependent.
“Conditions certainly weren’t ideal last year but it is highly possible if they are right this year Tajima will topple his existing record and go under the eight minutes.”
Last year Tajima found the corners in particular quite slippery and he was forced to dodge large rocks in places on the course.
Eriksson is again expected to be the biggest threat to Tajima and has already signalled that he is coming back with the intention of wrestling the title from him. The WRC Subaru has a new engine and Eriksson is confident he has the power to take on Tajima.
“The battle will obviously be the highlight for the spectators and it is great to have Monster back again this year,” says Event Promoter Grant Aitken. “The Race to the Sky crowds love watching Monster perform and this year will be no exception.”
He says with the provision this year of mountain spectator carparks people will get a chance to watch the race unfold much more closely.
“To watch Monster and Eriksson as well as the other top drivers from such great vantage points will add a whole new dimension to the race.”
Eriksson has started putting his Subaru through its paces at Waiorau Snow Farm to test its performance prior to the event. Monster Tajima will arrive in Queenstown on April 10 to begin his build up for the 2006 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.
