2003 King of the Mountain Japan’s Monster Tajima remained unchallenged on the first day of competition at the Silverstone Race to the Sky today, winning both the practice run and the first qualifying run ahead of ex-pat Kiwi Rod Millen.
Tajima’s times in his fast Suzuki Escudo, of 8.35 in practice and 8.26 in the qualifying round, were slower than his record breaking run last year of 8.10.02. But he has given notice that he will aim to go under the 8-minute mark during the Race to the Sky tomorrow afternoon.
Millen recorded 8.56 in practice and 8.40 in the qualifying round and says there is more performance to come from the Toyota Hi-Lux yet.
Andrew Hawkeswood in his Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 8, purpose built for the race, did not feature in the practice run but turned in a time of 8.54 in the qualifying run to finish third. He and Ian Ffitch on his BRM 1000 quad bike are the most likely contenders after today’s racing for the inaugural Possum Bourne Memorial Trophy for the fastest resident Kiwi. In the practice run Ffitch was third in 8.56 and clocked 8.57 in the qualifying round, dropping into fourth place.
The trophy is a miniature of the statue of Possum Bourne, which was unveiled yesterday on the Snow Farm Road and is hotly sought after.
Kenneth Eriksson driving Possum’s WRC Subaru did not have an auspicious start to his Race to the Sky debut. He was running on only three cylinders in his practice run to stop the clock at 9.07 and in the qualifying run he struck overheating problems and did not finish.
Australian Brett Hayward in his Suzuki Special completed his qualifying run in 9.01.
Dunedin’s Mike Turfus was fourth fastest in the practice run in 9.06 but blew an engine while testing before the qualifying round. He had to miss the qualifier but plans to be in the line-up tomorrow for the second qualifying round.
Marty Roestenburg who has returned from injury recorded times of 9.10 and 9.05
In his Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 3 and Mike Shackleton on Quadzilla was seventh overall in the qualifying round in 9.12.
One of the drawcard competitors Greg Murphy entertained the crowd in his Holden Commodore Ute. Murphy’s site has the favourite in the pits and he says he’s delighted to finally get a chance to have some fun and compete at the Race to the Sky.
The second qualifying round will be held tomorrow morning with the top 15 qualifiers competing in a rallysprint shootout to decide start places for the Silverstone Race to the Sky tomorrow afternoon.
