Stokes leads from Hawkeswood overnight
Jack Stokes leads the Central Machine Hire Otago Rally by a little under two minutes after a challenging opening day of the Brian Green Property Group New Zealand Rally Championship.
Stokes (Stokes Motorsport Skoda Fabia Rally 2) inherited the lead in a back-and-forth day of lead changes when Jack Hawkeswood (Force Motorsport Toyota Yaris Rally 2) checked into service early and was handed a two-minute penalty.
Robbie Stokes (Stokes Motorsport Skoda Fabia Rally 2) holds third place – a further 4.6 seconds behind. Stokes was earlier handed a time penalty as well.
All three drivers lead the event at stages during the day.
The biggest casualty was Dylan Thomson, who rolled his Palmside Skoda Fabia Rally 2 on the fifth stage.
Japanese driver Fuyuhiku Takahashi (Ford Fiesta) led Spaniard Edgar Vigo Lopez (Suzuki) by three minutes.
Ari Pettigrew made a successful start to life in the Open 2WD class, ending the day in front in his Porsche 911.
Tim Mackersy (Ford Fiesta) was second with defending class champion Dave Strong in third.
Phil Macquarie (Ford Escort) leads the Historic 2WD class from Mark Parsons (Triumph TR7) with Mike Cameron (Mitsubishi Lancer) holding down third.
The impressive Deane Buist (Ford Escort) made a successful transition to the new Classic class and took a big lead over Derek Ayson (Opel Manta) overnight. Ben Harding (Mazda RX7) was third.
Defending champion Caleb Macdonald won the one-day Rally Challenge 4WD class in his Mitsubishi EVO 8, finishing ahead of Grant Blackberry (Mitsubishi EVO 10) and Thomas Paul (Subaru Impreza).
Paul took out the Group A Challenge for his efforts – beating home Josh Keighley and James Macdonald – both in Subaru Imprezas.
Sean McAloon was the best of the Rally Challenge 2WD competitors, taking the win in his Ford Escort. Rory Lawn (Toyota Starlet) was second with Tony McConachy (Toyota Starlet) in third.
The rally continues on Sunday with another day of gravel stages.
Tweet
