Campbell aims for another top result at Gisborne
Photo: Megan Walker
Tauranga’s Phil Campbell is looking for another top results to keep him amongst the top runners of the Brian Green Property Group New Zealand Rally Championship at the fourth round, Fuchs Rally Gisborne, which runs this weekend.
In just his second season in a four-wheel drive car, Campbell has proved himself as a leading contender and currently sits in second place in the championship standings after the opening three rounds, including being the top four-wheel drive car at Rally Otago.
The previous round, Rally Canterbury, offered up a mixed bag for Campbell, breaking his habit of starting slowly with a pair of stage wins to start off the morning, before a gearbox selection problem cost him time. He however fought back with a string of top three stage times with only second and fourth gear across the afternoon.
Campbell heads to Gisborne looking for another result near the top of the standings in The Roofing Store Mitsubishi Evo 9. Campbell though is quite aware that aiming for the finish will be the secret to success on what are some of the most technical and challenging rally roads in the world, particularly with the length of the stages that will heavily punish any mistakes.
The most challenging and demanding stage of them all will be the Motu, a challenge that Campbell has heard plenty about but is yet to experience. Despite its legendary reputation as an arduous car breaker, Campbell is looking forward to the challenge.
“We’ve certainly heard plenty of stories about the Motu and so far this year, we’ve gone really well on the tight and twisty stuff, so I really can’t wait to get in there,” says Campbell. “But with basically four long stages making up the rally, we really can’t afford to have a problem. This rally is really going to be a great balancing act.”
The Fuchs Rally Gisborne runs on June 27, taking in 146 kilometres of demanding special stages north of Gisborne before returning to the host town for the finish at Reads Quay from 5.35 that afternoon.
For further information on the FUCHS Rally Gisborne visit the event page here
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