TEAM MONSTER SPORT RACE TO THE SKY CHALLENGE

Apr.19 Qualify & Finals

Sunday April 19. Cardrona Valley, New Zealand is the race finals of the world's roughest dirt course hill climb "Race to the Sky 2015".

Today started out with the second qualifying runs and then to the finals.
TEAM MONSTER SPORT used yesterday's three runs very wisely to test various setup of the Super86. Even last night the tire grooves were revised for the finals and everything looked fine. However we did not expect the incident during the second qualification.

The Super 86 was tuned perfectly and MONSTER Tajima spiritfully started out the second qualifying run. However the rear spoiler wing broke off at the first half of the course while traveling at speeds closing into 230km/h.

As the Super 86 is totally balanced focusing on the huge aerodynamic devices, the machine lost control.
Even with MONSTER Tajima's many race experiences he was unable to regain control and went off course. The Super 86 sustained terrible damage and was deemed unfit to run the finals.

In light of the sad news, MONSTER Tajima had no injuries whatsoever. When he returned to the paddock, Alister McRae, Tony Quinn and others felt relief that he was alright and gave words of encouragement to.

MONSTER Tajima regardless of retiring out of the race, he responded to the cheers by doing an autograph session. The line never went down and while exchanging words with fans he promised to return next year to New Zealand's magnificint hill climb race.

MONSTER Tajima comments:
"During the second qualifying, my rear wing broke off where I was going at peak speed and I lost control. The car sustained damaged, however I am alright and without injury. I feel grateful that many people welcomed me back and said kind words to me when I returned to the paddock. In answering to the kind people, I will be coming back next year. I thank everyone in New Zealand, Japan, Australia, Europe to America who have kindly cheered and rooted for our team.
We thank you very much."

Repco Race to the Sky final results, Sunday 19 April 2015

Position – Driver, hometown, vehicle, class, time
1 - Alister McRae, Perth/Australia, Vantage Subaru, Unlimited 8:17.616
2 - Brett Hayward, Victoria/Australia, RTTS Special, Unlimited 8:24.574
3 - Ian Ffitch, Amberley, Super Quad 8:35.273
4 - Sloan Cox, Rotorua, Mitsubishi Evo, Unlimited 8:49.604
5 - Michael Tall, Christchurch, Mitsubishi Evo 4, Rallycourse 8:51.573
6 - Keith Stewart, Palmerston North, Bali6 Yeti V8, Unlimited 8:56.613
7 - Kieran Hall, Geraldine, Subaru STI, Rallycourse 8:58.691
8 - Glen Frew, Mosgiel, Mitsubishi Evo, Open 4WD 8:59.798
9 - Steve Rile, Victoria, Australia, Holden VF Ute, Unlimited 9:02.098
10 - Andrew Graves, Gore, Mitsubishi Evo, Rallycourse 9:03.087
DNS - Monster Tajima, Japan, Super 86, Unlimited ---

 

【Race To The Sky Official Website】
http://www.racetothesky.co.nz/