Todd Bawden/Dave Neil (Ford Fiesta R5 MkII) were the first North Island Rally Series car home in second overall at the Ventia Rally of Dargaville Tunatahi over the weekend.
The event attracted some of the top competitors from the NZ Rally Championship, which saw Ben Hunt/Tony Rawstorn (Skoda Fabia Rally 2 Evo) take the overall win from Bawden/Neill. Jack Hawkeswood/Jason Farmer (Toyota GR Yaris AP4) completed the top three.
“The best roads in NZ are up here,” commented Bawden. “The stages were mint, hard and fast with plenty of grip. The local support for a club rally has been fantastic. It’s been quite unbelievable the crowds watching even right from early in the morning.
“We didn’t have any issues or problems all day, so I’m pleased with our speed and with finishing second overall to Ben (Hunt).”
The third round of the 2024 Generator Rental Services North Island Rally Series (NIRS) saw competition over six Special Stages starting and finishing in Dargaville using several roads last used in the 1998 Rally New Zealand, a round of the World Rally Championship (WRC).
The event attracted huge crowds of local spectators who welcomed rallying back to the Kaipara District after an absence of many years with a number of fans reminiscing about the WRC days.
“The support from the Dargaville community has been outstanding,” said Event Chairman and NIRS coordinator Marty Roestenburg.
“It was the biggest event in Dargaville for a long time, and it’s great to give local businesses a boost as the whole area, Council, Iwi, residents, event partners, and the Dargaville community have been right behind the event.”
Quentin Palmer/Noel Moloney (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 5) was fourth overall, the second NIRS car to finish. Palmer took over the series lead from Phil Campbell, who was not entered in the round.
Hayden McKenzie/Shane Reynolds (Toyota Yaris AP4) finished fifth overall, ahead of Daniel Haines/Matt Priest (Ford Escort Mk2), the first two-wheel-drive car.
“That was a great battle with McCrae (Soper),” said Haines. “There was lots of grip out there today, which gives you a lot of confidence, which makes it a bit easier to be committed. The roads were magic with a bit of everything.”
McCrae Sloper/Dave Christie (BMW328i) finished just 12.3 seconds behind Haines, fifth in the NIRS and seventh overall.
Hunt won all six Special Stages ahead of Hawkeswood and Bawden. While Dylan Turner/Brianna Little (Audi S1 AP4) initially held second overall, a ‘soft’ rollover in SS2 saw the pairing withdraw from the rally. Bawden was able to come home second overall after taking more time out of Hawkeswood on the final stage, finishing 9.4 seconds ahead of the Toyota driver.
Palmer was another to do well on SS6, moving up a place to fourth overall after taking time out of Hayden McKenzie.
Palmer moves into the lead of the 2024 Generator Rental Services North Island Rally Series, 15 points ahead of Phil Campbell, with Bawden in third.
The fourth round of the NIRS, the Hoddle Rd Rallysprint, takes place on 18 August 2024 in Otorohanga.
