Gisborne hosts regional rally final

Rally New Zealand

Media statement

5 November 2013

Gisborne hosts regional rally final

This Saturday 9 November Gisborne hosts the North Island’s top rally drivers for their final round of both the Top Half and Geartech Central Region Rally Series – being contested over roads in the Tiniroto area.

Using 132.14km of challenging rural roads encapsulated by the region’s rugged terrain the Gisborne Vehicle Testing Station Waikane Beach Top 10 Holiday Park Rally Gisborne brings a cutting challenge for those with title aspirations.

Heading the line-up is Auckland’s Andrew Hawkeswood and co-driver Glenn Goldring – in a recently finished new generation Mazda 2 Maxi. A year in the making it has evolved from a production based car to now incorporate a kit of sturdier suspension, engine, transmission and running gear – giving it performance and reliability Hawkeswood intends to use against the likes of Hayden Paddon in the New Zealand Rally Championship.

Providing Hawkeswood with sharp competition will be Manurewa’s Dylan Turner and Malcolm Read – who’s Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 8 has been a pace-setter during the season’s regional events. The leading entrant in the Top Half Rally Series, his total of 107 points is seven ahead of closest rival Grant Liston and Rob Scott in the Honda Integra.

Also contesting the event – fresh from New Zealand Rally Championship competition will be Te Aroha’s Graham Featherstone and co-driver Chris Davison (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 7). Currently sixth in the Top Half standings he is 15 points adrift of Liston.
Other’s competition ready include Auckland’s Clint Cunningham with co-driver Dave Devonport (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 4), Auckland’s Dave Strong and former co-driver Bruce McKenzie (Honda Civic), Hastings bred Ron Davey and co-driver Ross Gordon (Ford Escort), Hamilton’s Miles McElwain and co-driver Gloria McElwain (Toyota Corolla AE86).
The field also includes former four-time consecutive New Zealand champion Bruce Herbert from Palmerston North – joined in a Toyota AE86 by Wayne Parker.

Starting mid-pack, New Plymouth’s Paul Black heads the Geartech Central Region Rally Series standings. Joined by Steven Walker in the Toyota Corolla RS their total of 103 points is seven clear of Phillip Glenny from Hastings. In a Toyota Starlet co-driven by Zach Glenny they are being chased as much as chasing a top finish. Behind them in third, a further four points back, is Taumarunui’s Campbell Wright and Mike Gibbs in a Holden Commodore.

Currently there are 31 teams intending to start – tackling a route last used in 2010 that uses roads well known by past World Rally Championship competitors.
Starting from Reads Quay in Gisborne 7:30am in the morning it’s a 33km journey to the first competitive test – the 25.33km Parikanapa Rd. Followed by the Ruakaka Rd (19.09km) teams then get a 20 minute service break at Brunton Road before contesting the 20.75km Pehiri Rd loop, that is followed by a second 20 minute service. Teams repeat the course in the afternoon – with the addition of the tarmac 1.8km Kaiti Hill Rd. To be classified a finisher teams then need to return to Gisborne – with the final stop back at Reads Quay. First car arrives from 4:40pm.

Spectator maps and information can be picked up from event sponsors Gisborne Vehicle Testing Station and Waikane Beach Top 10 Holiday Park.

The event is run by a conglomerate of groups including Rally New Zealand organisers Rally of New Zealand and the Gisborne Car Club.

ENDS

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