FFITCH PLANS ASSAULT ON TOP KIWI RIDER TITLE
Super Quad exponent Ian Ffitch is keen for a podium finish at the Silverstone Race to the Sky this weekend but he is more focused on repeating his 2004 campaign and getting his name on the prestigious Possum Bourne Memorial trophy again for being the first Kiwi home.
“That’s what I am heading down there wanting to win. We are never going to topple Monster (Tajima) but being the first New Zealander in the event carries a lot of pride with it.”
Ffitch is competing in his eighth consecutive Race to the Sky on the Waiorau Snow Farm road in the Cardrona Valley. He missed the first because he was still riding professionally but his appearance year after year has created a big crowd interest.
In 2004 he finished third behind Tajima and ex pat Rod Millen and won the inaugural Possum Bourne trophy as fastest Kiwi. Winning the trophy was probably the highlight of his career and he wants it back this year.
Last year Ffitch finished sixth overall in the tough field but ironically was seven seconds faster at 8m 41s than the previous year when he took out third place.
“What’s happening is that competitors like Andrew Hawkeswood and Marty Roestenberg are driving specialised cars for the hill and the competition is getting tougher. It’s getting that much harder.”
Barring anything going badly wrong Ffitch still expects to win the Super Quad class by a good margin. His closest rivals are likely to be Graeme Giles, Mike, Shackleton, Tim George and Darcy Prendergast.
Giles was second to Ffitch last year but 26 seconds slower in 9m 07 while George placed third in 9m 13.
While Ffitch hasn’t made a lot of changes to his machine this year he has signalled that he will be doing things a little differently which will have everyone guessing.
“One of the things I’m doing is using a non conventional tyre which is much narrower. I’ve tested it and it works well but I haven’t been in conditions as aggressive as the Race to the Sky hill. It is a risk and it could be that on the day the tyre will heat up and go to cheese.”
But he reckons it is still worth the risk. “When I roll it out everyone might laugh and say what the hell is he thinking. But I’m giving it a go.”
This year is likely to be the last time the Amberly rider competes on his 2WD Super Quad. He has had a 4WD version in the planning for a while and hoped to have it completed by this year. But business interests have kept him too busy and the new machine has had to go on the backburner. However he hopes to make his debut on it next year.
Ffitch says the Race to the Sky is the highlight of his calendar. He has recently won a big memorial race in Australia which attracted the top three Aussie riders so is happy that he is in form for this weekend.
“I really would like to get back in that top three but whatever if the bike blows up I’m still going to have fun.”
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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.
TICKETS ARE NOW ON SALE.
Ph + 64 3 443 2700Fax + 64 3 443 2702Cell 027 414 2342
