Jack Stokes has won the Barry Robinson Memorial Rally Southland to extend his lead in the New Zealand Rally Championship to seven points at the midway point of the year.
Stokes (Stokes Motorsport Skoda Fabia Rally 2) got better throughout the day and pulled clear of title rival Jack Hawkeswood in the afternoon stages to claim his second career win by 24.7 seconds.
Hawkeswood led early in his Toyota Yaris Rally 2 before a couple of scary moments when the rain came down around lunchtime. He settled down in the afternoon but lost time to Stokes.
Robbe Stokes (Stokes Motorsport Skoda Fabia Rally 2) struggled for confidence early in the day after a couple of crashes at the last event before getting into his work and securing a podium finish.
Quentin Palmer (Skoda Fabia Rally 2) was fourth to continue to bank a solid pile of points and maintain third in the standings at the midway point.
Ari Pettigrew (Porsche 911) was first 2WD car home and fifth overall in another impressive showing.
He led home Dave Strong (Honda Jazz) and Tim Mackersy (Ford Fiesta) in the Open 2WD class.
Deane Buist (Ford Escort) took a third straight win in the Classics class ahead of Ben Harding (Mazda RX7) and Southland local Paul Cross (Toyota Corolla).
Pat Norris safely brought home his Toyota Corolla to win the Historic class, surviving an early off-road excursion.
Thomas Paul (Subaru Impreza) held off Harri Silcock (Mitsubishi EVO6.5) in a thrilling battle that decided Rally Challenge 4WD by just 2.1 seconds.
James MvIver (Subaru Impreza) completed the podium.
Rory Lawn (Toyota Starlet) pipped Josh Silcock (Ford Fiesta) on the final stage of the rally for the second consecutive event to win Rally Challenge 2WD by 2.3 seconds.
Paul, McIver and Kevin Laird completed the Group A Challenge podium.
The series moves to the North Island next month with a return of the Hawke’s Bay Rally on August 22.
Header Image: Geoff Ridder
