Silverstone Race to the Sky defending champion ‘Monster’ Nobuhiro Tajima arrived in Queenstown today upbeat about his chances of taking the King of the Mountain title for the sixth time.

Tajima’s Suzuki Escudo holds the current record of 8.10.02 and today he predicted that if everything stacks the right way, he will clock a 7.59 result on the Snow Farm road on Sunday (March 27).

But he claimed the key to his success would be the starting order.

“If Rod Millen is in front of me his truck throws up big rocks. I have to keep dodging them and it does my head in.”

The start order is decided by a rally sprint shootout involving the top ten competitors overall during qualifying, plus any wildcard entries as decided by the Clerk of the Course. Tajima says if he can get in front of Millen on the grid he will be very happy. He is also trialling new tyres which he expects a good performance from.

The bright red Suzuki is a crowd pleaser and last year he had a clear win over Millen recording 8.17.84 to Millen’s 8.36.84. This was despite the ex-pat Kiwi having the fastest run in practice.

Tajima says Millen and Swedish rally ace Kenneth Eriksson will be his main opposition. Millen’s Toyota Hi-Lux is always a threat and Eriksson will make a strong challenge in the ex Possum Bourne WRC Subaru. But he is confident he can hold them off to retain the crown.

Tajima flew into Queenstown Airport this afternoon and headed for Wanaka to indulge in his other favourite passion – helicopter flying.

He planned to spend the afternoon with an instructor flying a Robinson around the area.

The Silverstone Race to the Sky has attracted a record 125 entries and will be held this Saturday and Sunday in the Cardrona Valley.