Jack Stokes claimed a breakthrough victory in the New Zealand Rally Championship, emerging on top after a dramatic two-day battle at the Otago Rally.
Stokes (Stokes Motorsport Skoda Fabia Rally 2) headed into the final day with a lead of just under two minutes following a challenging and incident-filled opening leg.
The rally had seen multiple lead changes across Saturday, with Stokes ultimately inheriting the top spot after Jack Hawkeswood (Force Motorsport Toyota Yaris Rally 2) checked into service early and was handed a two-minute penalty.
Robbie Stokes (Stokes Motorsport Skoda Fabia Rally 2) had ended the first day in third, just 4.6 seconds further back, despite also being handed a time penalty during the day. All three drivers had spent time leading the rally during a fiercely contested opening leg.
Sunday, however, belonged to Jack Stokes.
Delivering a composed and commanding performance, he controlled the second day to secure his maiden NZRC win, finishing one minute and 34 seconds clear of Hawkeswood.
“It means everything – it has been months and months, so many hours you do,” Stokes said.
“Such an awesome job and so grateful to be in a position like this.
“I certainly made a few mistakes – we definitely got lucky a couple of times. The car has been faultless; the team has been faultless.”
Robbie Stokes had remained firmly in contention before a suspension failure on a touring section forced him into a temporary retirement. He later rejoined the rally and salvaged maximum power stage points with victory on the iconic Kuri Bush stage.
Quentin Palmer (Skoda Fabia Rally 2) ultimately completed the podium in third overall.
The rally’s biggest casualty came on Saturday, when Dylan Thomson rolled his Skoda Fabia Rally 2 on the fifth stage, ending his challenge.
In the NZRC 2WD class, Japan’s Fuyukiha Takahashi (Ford Fiesta) secured victory ahead of Spaniard Edgar Lopez (Suzuki Swift), having built a commanding advantage across the weekend.
Ari Pettigrew enjoyed a standout event, making a successful start in the Open 2WD class. Driving his Porsche 911, he not only claimed the class win but also finished as the leading two-wheel-drive competitor and an impressive third overall.
He led home Tim Mackersy (Ford Fiesta) and defending class champion Dave Strong (Honda Jazz).
Phil Macquarie (Ford Escort) produced a consistent performance to take victory in the Historic 2WD class, finishing ahead of Mike Cameron (Mitsubishi Lancer), while Mark Parsons (Triumph TR7) had been in contention earlier in the rally.
Deane Buist (Ford Escort) capped off a strong weekend by claiming the inaugural Classics class win, continuing the form he showed on Saturday, where he established a commanding lead. He finished ahead of Derek Ayson (Opel Manta) and Ben Harding (Mazda RX7).
In the one-day Rally Challenge 4WD class, defending champion Caleb Macdonald (Mitsubishi EVO 8) took victory on Saturday, beating Grant Blackberry (Mitsubishi EVO 10) and Thomas Paul (Subaru Impreza).
Paul also secured the Group A Challenge honours, finishing ahead of Josh Keighley and James Macdonald, both driving Subaru Imprezas.
Sean McAloon was the top performer in the Rally Challenge 2WD category, taking the win in his Ford Escort ahead of Rory Lawn (Toyota Starlet) and Tony McConachy (Toyota Starlet).
The New Zealand Rally Championship now heads to Canterbury for the next round on King’s Birthday Weekend.
Header Image: Geoff Ridder
