Young guns Jack Stokes and Jack Hawkeswood will square off in unfamiliar territory at round four of the New Zealand Rally Championship in Hawke’s Bay this weekend.
Just seven points separate the pair heading into the second half of the season, but neither driver has a lot of experience or success on the technical Hawke’s Bay roads near Wairoa.
Championship leader Stokes (Stokes Motorsport Skoda Fabia Rally 2) has never contested Rally Hawke’s Bay before, while Hawkeswood’s (Vertu Equipment Toyota Yaris Rally 2) only time on these roads didn’t end well, with brake issues curtailing his 2021 attempt – the last time on the roads being used in 2026.
Robbie Stokes (Stokes Motorsport Skoda Fabia Rally 2) is the one major contender this weekend that has enjoyed some success in the Hawke’s Bay before – his second to Hayden Paddon in 2021 was a break-through maiden NZRC podium, and he impressed with his speed and control.
While the season hasn’t gone well for the older Stokes to date this season, he could well be the fly in the ointment for the title protagonists, and who knows if team orders could factor in?
Quentin Palmer (Skoda Fabia Rally 2) has the chance to get himself into the title picture on roads he has some experience on.
The Taumarunui local impressed in the non-championship North Island Rally Series round on his home roads in the lead-up to Hawke’s Bay and will be much more of a factor in the second half of the season.
Dakar Rally star Toby Price returns in the Toyota GR Yaris Rally Cup car, which will provide William Menzies a yardstick as he debuts his GR Yaris Rally Cup car.
Vanuatuan Nelson Law (Force Motorsport Toyota GR Yaris AP4) should have too much power for the GR Yaris Rally Cup cars but will be a target for them.
Jackson Clendon (Ford Fiesta Rally 4) makes a welcome return to the championship and is the sole entrant in NZRC 2WD.
Veteran driver Dave Strong (Honda Jazz) will look to bank some points in the Open 2WD class while his title rivals skip this round.
Phil Macquarie returns to headline the Historic 2WD class in his Ford Escort while Pat Norris (Toyota Corolla) and Mike Cameron (Mitsubishi EX Lancer) will keep the pressure on him and will battle each other hard for the podium spots.
Class leader Deane Buist will be the man to beat in the Classics in his Ford Escort, but Hawke’s Bay local Ben Harding (Mazda RX7) will be out to give him a run for his money on his home event.
Roger McKay (Ford Escort) will look to pick up any points they leave on the table.
Hawke’s Bay local Grant Blackberry will be an overwhelming favourite in the Rally Challenge 4WD class in his Mitsubishi EVO 10 as some of the other contenders skip the round.
Josh Keighley (Subaru Impreza) will be his nearest rival and will also look to pick up crucial Group A Challenge points as well.
Josh Silcock (Ford Fiesta) is the only Rally Challenge 2WD driver competing and will be hoping a maximum haul will help him close the gap to Rory Lawn with two rounds to go.
The rally begins with a ceremonial opening at the Sound Shell in downtown Napier on Friday night before six stages near Wairoa on Saturday.
Header Image: Geoff Ridder
