Two-time European Rally Champion Hayden Paddon went fastest across all 10 of Saturday’s special stages to open a two minute and 38-second advantage over Ben Hunt at the International Rally of Whangarei.
Hunt, however, is in the box seat to clinch his third New Zealand Rally Championship, having entered the round 12 points ahead of Paddon. Should he remain in second after Sunday’s eight special stages, the title will be his.
While both Paddon and Hunt both enjoyed strong Saturday showings, the same couldn’t be said for several other contenders.
Talented teenager Zeal Jones slid off the road in the second stage of the day in his Skoda Fabia R5, while Robbie Stokes crashed his Ford Fiesta AP4 on stage three.
Jones, who will head to Finland next month as a part of Toyota World Rally Team’s WRC Challenge Program, began his rally strongly and was second on SS1 before his uncharacteristic incident.
Jack Hawkeswood (Toyota GR Yaris) had to replace an axel and was a temporary withdrawal, while Mike Young (Toyota Yaris AP4) suffered electrical failure late in the day while running third.
Emma Gilmour (Vantage NZ Citroen C3) edged Dylan Thomson, in an older model Subaru Impreza for third place ahead Haydn Mackenzie (Albany Toyota Yaris AP4).
Bryn Jones (Ford Fiesta) is the leading 2WD competitor, in front of father Anthony Jones (Ford Escort), who is the first of the Historic entrants.
Emma Gilmour (Vantage NZ Citroen C3) edged Dylan Thomson, in an older model Subaru Impreza for third place ahead Haydn Mackenzie (Albany Toyota Yaris AP4).
Andrew Graves was crowned champion in the Rally Challenge 4WD class and the Group A Challenge after another superb drive in his Mitsubishi EVO 6.
Graves came home in front of Jay Pittams (Subaru Impreza) and Carter Strang (Mitsubishi EVO 10) to claim the title in emphatic fashion.
Graves led home Pittams and James Macdonald (Subaru Impreza) in the Group A Challenge, meaning the Gore driver will do the title double.
Jared Parker successfully defended his Rally Challenge 2WD crown after winning the class on his first ever visit to Whangarei.
Parker (Toyota Corolla) beat Kyle Percival (Ford Escort) by over three minutes with Pat Norris (Toyota Yaris) finishing third and securing runner-up in the title battle.
Willy Hawes (Toyota 86) trails Dave Strong (Honda Jazz) by just over a minute in the Open 2WD battle. Hawes just needs to finish the event to collect enough points to secure the 2024 title, however.
Anthony Jones holds a dominant lead in the Historic 2WD class in his Ford Escort. He leads champion-in-waiting Paul Fraser (Ford Escort)
The rally continues on Sunday with eight more stages south and west of Whangarei.
