Hybrids show their mettle in EnergyWise Rally 2004

3 November 2004

Hybrids show their mettle in EnergyWise Rally 2004

The Toyota Prius Hybrid of Chris Amon and Sarah Burke is the overall leader of EnergyWise Rally 2004 after the first two days of intense competition over the backblocks of the North Island.

Using just 4.1L/100km of fuel (69.2mpg), the Prius led the field after the second day of the event, a highlight of which was the lunchtime stop at Whangamomona, which saw the community out in force, with school children exhibiting their horseriding and whipcracking skills.

Close behind for overall honours are Jacqui Madelin and Naomi Wiggins in a Daihatsu Charade followed by the second Prius of Brian Cowan and Rachael Tucker (Miss Earth NZ).

Madelin and Wiggens lead Class A (Small Cars), whilst Class B (Compact Cars) is headed by the Honda Civic Hybrid of Rob and Sue Maetzig. Best conventional petrol vehicle in this class after two days is the Honda Civic 4-door of John McMillan and Mike Stephens.

The Amon / Burke Prius leads Class C (Medium/Executive Cars), whilst the Honda Accord Euro of Shaun Sommerfield and Craig Allen heads the conventional petrol category in this class.

Class D (Large Luxury Cars) is headed by Allan Dick and Keri Ashton-Reid in the Mercedes-Benz S320 Cdi, closely followed by the best conventional petrol vehicle in this class, the Honda Accord V6 of Glenn and Helen Johnston.

Hyundai tops both Lifestyle / Leisure vehicle classes with Quentin Drain and Mike Harrison’s Tucson and the Richard Edwards / Helen Erickson Terracan Diesel leading Classes E and F respectively.

In Class G (Commercial Vans) it’s a close race between Peter West and Paul Freestone’s Volkswagen Transporter against the Mercedes-Benz Vito of John Addison and Sandy Myhre, with the Vito slightly ahead.

The award for the team which can beat the official fuel consumption for its vehicle by the greatest percentage is currently a race between the the Mazda6 of Gavin Shaw and Roger Russell, the Honda Integra S of Joe McAndrew and Bernie Morris,and the Honda Accord V6 of Glenn and Helen Johnston.

Full results can be found at www.energywiserally.org.nz.

ENDS

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