Jack Stokes claims maiden NZRC win
Jack Stokes secured a maiden win in the Brian Green Property Group New Zealand Rally Championship after finishing on top spot of the podium at the Central Machine Hire Otago Rally.
Stokes produced a masterclass performance on Sunday to dominate the second day after a ding-dong battle between brother Robbie Stokes and Jack Hawkeswood on the opening day.
Stokes (Stokes Motorsport Skoda Fabia Rally 2) finished one minute 34 ahead of Hawkeswood (Force Motorsport Toyota Yaris Rally 2). Hawkeswood had been penalised on Saturday by two minutes for checking in early at service.
“It means everything – it has been months and months, so many hours you do,” a delighted Stokes said.
“Such an awesome job and so grateful to be in a position like this.
“I certainly made a few mistakes – we definitely got lucky a couple of times. The car has been faultless; the team has been faultless.”
Robbie Stokes (Stokes Motorsport Skoda Fabia Rally 2) had been in the thick of the battle before a suspension failure on a touring section saw him temporarily withdraw.
He was able to rejoin and grabbed the maximum power stage points after winning the iconic Kuri Bush stage.
Quentin Palmer (Skoda Fabia Rally 2) completed the podium in third place.
Japan’s Fuyukiha Takahashi (Ford Fiesta) topped Spaniard Edgar Lopez (Suzuki Swift) in the NZRC 2WD class.
Ari Pettigrew secured a brilliant win in the Open 2WD class in his Porsche 911 and was the leading 2WD competitor and third overall.
He led home Tim Mackersy (Ford Fiesta) and Dave Strong (Honda Jazz).
Phil Macquarie completed a solid drive in his Ford Escort to take the win in the Historic 2WD class ahead of Mike Cameron (Mitsubishi Lancer).
Deane Buist (Ford Escort) completed another superb drive to take out the very first class win in the Classics class ahead of Derek Ayson (Opel Manta) and Ben Harding (Mazda RX7).
The next round is at Canterbury on King’s Birthday Weekend.
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