Thompson claims 2WD title in the wet 

Dylan Thomson has won both the NZRC Group N 2WD class and overall 2WD title of the Brian Green Property Group New Zealand Rally Championship after victory in Saturday’s leg of Repco Rally New Zealand.

The Christchurch-based driver rose to the occasion on the biggest stage to claim both titles and see off the challenge of the chasing pack.

He was second overall 2WD on Saturday and won the NZRC Group N class once again – beating out Antony Te Rito (Honda Civic) and Lukas Ramsay (Ford Fiesta).

Veteran driver Stumpy Holmes turned back the years to win the Open 2WD class on Saturday in his Ford Escort but second place for Dan Haines (Ford Escort) was enough to secure him the season title over Dave Strong (Honda Jazz), who was third Saturday.

Jeff Ward (Subaru WRX) won the Rally Challenge 4WD class and secured the title in the process while Jonty Brenssell completed a dominant season to win the Rally Challenge 2WD class and the title in his Toyota Starlet.

Zeal Jones (Subaru) would have to be one of the big improvers of the championship and showcased some real talent over a challenging weekend as he claimed second to Brenssell in Rally Challenge 2WD with Jono Shapley third (Toyota Vitz).

Ward led home Sean Haggerty (Subaru Impreza) and Friday winner Bryn Smith (Mitsubishi Lancer) in Rally Challenge 4WD on Saturday.

Hayden Paddon, who won his sixth national title on Friday, completed another stellar performance to win Saturday’s action in his Hyundai R5 by one minute 32 over Supercars star Shane van Gisbergen.

Van Gisbergen underlined his ability on gravel over the weekend, finishing second to Paddon on both days in his Super Cheap Auto Skoda Fabia R5. The margin was blown out on Saturday after the Bathurst winner lost over 30 seconds due to a puncture on the penultimate stage.

Raana Horan (Generator Rental Services Skoda Fabia R5) put the disappointment of a blown turbo on Friday behind him to claim third overall on Saturday.

John Silcock, who captured the Historic 2WD title on Friday, claimed day honours in the class in his Mazda RX7.

• These are provisional results. Full results to be confirmed Sunday.