Monster smashes record to win the Race to the Sky
The King of the Mountain ‘Monster’ Nobuhiro Tajima of Japan exceeded all expectations at the Silverstone Race to the Sky today, when he smashed his own record set in 2003 by nine seconds, to win the title for the seventh time clocking 8. 01.17
Tajima blitzed the field in his powerful Suzuki Escudo and while he was expected to come under strong pressure from Swedish rally ace Kenneth Eriksson, in the former Possum Bourne WRC Subaru, Eriksson was dogged again by bad luck and had to withdraw after engine problems prevented him getting to the top of the hill.
Eriksson won the qualifying round this morning in 8.26.02 while Tajima finished second in 8.27.60 and there was an air of anticipation in the final as Eriksson followed Tajima up the hill following the shootout.
The shoot out on the flats at the bottom of the course proved to be a crowd pleaser and Eriksson in particular provided spectacular action with some incredible air over the jump. Eriksson was fastest around the course in 1.16.09 which was almost two seconds faster than Tajima.
Following the shoot out drivers were able to choose their start positions for the Race to the Sky with Eriksson opting to run last in the event behind Tajima.
Tajima was delighted with his record breaking run which clearly knocked out his previous record of 8.10.02. He says it was a big step up.
“It was fantastic I am very happy.”
While it was all disappointment for Eriksson, for top Kiwi driver Andrew Hawkeswood it was a well earned runner up position. In his Mitsubishi Evo 9 he crossed the finish in 8.28.71 and has signalled he will be returning next year with a purpose built car to take on Tajima.
“Tajima has extended a big gap there now but I am keen to give it my best shot next year.”
Hawkeswood also retained the much sought after Possum Bourne Memorial trophy for the fastest New Zealander.
Third place went to the ‘world’s fastest Maori’ Marty Roestenberg, who got to the top in his H6 Subaru Impreza WRX in 8.39.45 to put him on the podium ahead of Super Quad rider Ian Ffitch, who was fourth in 8.40.80 and overall winner of the Quad Bike title.
Roestenberg says it was good to be back on the podium, the first time since 1999.
The only woman driver in the field, Emma Gilmour, had a big crowd following in her very quick ex factory Subaru Impreza Sti. She finished sixth overall in 8.48.12 an improvement on her ninth placing in her inaugural Race to the Sky last year.
The motorcycle title was won by Nathan McAlwee of Auckland who was defending his 2005 title. He proved too strong for the rest of the field finishing in 9.14.08.
