Campbell looks to step up pace for 2015
Photo: Euan Cameron
Tauranga’s Phil Campbell heads to the opening round of the Brian Green Property Group New Zealand Rally Championship, Rally Whangarei, this weekend looking to step up his impressive 2014 pace.
The second half of the season in 2014 saw some impressive results, including a maiden championship round win, despite running The Roofing Store Mitsubishi in complete Group N trim including a smaller turbo restrictor.
Series regulations for 2015 mean most competitors must run a smaller turbo restrictor than last year, consequently giving a reduction in power. However last year, The Roofing Store Mitsubishi Evo 9 ran with a smaller restrictor and will be able to increase that size for 2015, offering more power. The engine has also been modified to give more power, while the car has also been lightened over the off-season.
Campbell, who will once again team up with co-driver Venita Fabbro, is looking forward to returning to the Whangarei event where last year, on his rally debut in a four-wheel drive car, the 28-year old was sitting comfortably inside the top three, only to suffer a drive train failure.
With a couple of club events under his belt since making the improvements to the car, Campbell is confident he can challenge for podium positions but is also mindful that getting to the finish and scoring points is crucial for a strong championship campaign.
“The car feels really, really good and strong in the couple of events we have done so far this year so I’m confident that we can deliver a strong result for The Roofing Store,” says Campbell. “We will be driving to ensure we get to the finish though, it’s a long season and it is hard to come back from a DNF early in the season.”
Rally Whangarei gets underway with two super special stages on Friday April 17. The serious action begins the following day with eight high-speed special stages north of the host town, while Sunday sees a further six special stages before the finish at the Whangarei town basin.
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