Encouraging run for Campbell at Otago

Encouraging run for Campbell at Otago

Tauranga’s Phil Campbell has moved into the lead of the Group N two-wheel drive championship after an encouraging run at round three of the Brian Green Property Group New Zealand Rally Championship, powered by Brother, Rally Otago, although an accident at the start of the second day forced him into retirement.

Campbell started the event confident after his maiden class win in the NZRC at the previous round, Rally Wairarapa, and set times that had him amongst the top two-wheel drive competitors on the three stages held in the dark on Friday night.

Saturday saw Campbell again competitive on the high speed stages, on three occasions piloting the Letts Buildings Ford Fiesta to an average speed of more than 100km/h whilst holding down a comfortable second in class across the day and staying within striking distance of the class lead. At the end of the opening leg, the bonus points meant Campbell and co-driver Venita Fabbro took the outright class lead for the championship.

Day two started well with Campbell taking the class lead and posting a time that was a remarkable seventh fastest amongst the more powerful four-wheel drive cars, however on the very next stage Campbell under-steered into a bank, causing the car to roll over and slide on its roof for more than 50 metres. With the help of some spectators, he was able to continue however a damaged hub caused a wheel to fall off later in the stage and end his rally.

“It was a really good weekend for us apart from Sunday,” said a philosophical Campbell. “Having watched the in-car footage, it seemed like something wasn’t right but I guess we will never know.”

The Campbell Rally Sport team now face a race against time to repair the car for Brother Rally New Zealand, round four of the NZRC, which will see the team compete against the best in the world, in just over two weeks time.

ENDS

© Scoop Media