Rally Challenge 4WD class building future talent
The Rally Challenge 4WD class has quickly become the most competitive class within the Brian Green Property Group New Zealand Rally Championship.
But while the class is super competitive and wide open, a camaraderie among the drivers makes for an enjoyable battle as well.
Carter Strang holds a one-point lead over Caleb Macdonald at the midway point of the season.
With the three best results from the opening five rounds and the final round at Whangarei counting towards the championship – there are at least 10 drivers still very much in the running to be crowned champion.
“Dougie [Andrew Graves], Carter, Mark McMillan, when [Dave] Sievers was down for South Canterbury – it is just such a fun class,” said Macdonald.
“These cars go so well, and we are all so close.
“Everyone is really good mates, and we have a good yarn about it and give each other some stick and egg each other on so it is definitely a fun class to be in.”
The Rally Challenge 4WD class has been a great stepping stone for drivers to get a platform from to mount an attack in Open 4WD.
The likes of Graham Featherstone, Darren Galbraith, Kingsley Jones and Zeal Jones have enjoyed success in the feeder class before making a full-blown attempt on the championship.
With such a strong class of 2024, there are plenty of reasons to be optimistic many of the current 5A drivers will progress in the coming seasons.
“To be honest I haven’t thought that far ahead yet. I think it would be pretty fun to have a go in one of them though,” Macdonald said.
“They are the next level again.
“I am just concentrating on learning this car and getting the best out of it I can and be the best I can be.
“If it was in the future, I would love to have a crack at it.”
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