Robbie Stokes has won the opening round of the 2024 Mainland Rally Championship held on the first day of the 2024 Otago Rally. Stokes (Ford Fiesta AP4), along with co-driver Sarah Brennan, won all eight Special Stages, finishing ahead of Andrew Graves/Hayden Graves (Mitsubishi Lance Evo 3).
Caleb Macdonald/Larisa Biggar (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 8) were third, and last season’s MRC title holder Dylan Thomson (Ford Fiesta Rally4) fourth.
“It’s been an awesome day,” commented Stokes. “The roads are in beautiful condition, and you couldn’t ask for better. It’s been great fun and crazy fast. It’s required some big commitment which has been pretty rewarding.”
Graves was consistent all day, finishing second fastest to Stokes on six of the stages in a battle with Thomson, Macdonald and Mark McMillen/Tim Driscoll (Subaru Impreza).
“It went relatively well,” said Stokes. “We had a few brake issues to deal with, unfortunately, after the first service when the pedal got ‘spongy’. We think we have it fixed for Sunday.”
The Mainland Rally Championship took place on the first of two days of competition around the township of Lawrence, south of Dunedin.
There are seven separate Class titles for both driver and co-drivers to be decided on the best five results from the six rounds making up the MRC.
Mike Matheson/Gordon Legge (Toyota Vitz) made a strong start to their defence of the Class A (2WD 0-1300cc) title, finishing ahead of Luke Smeets/Jake Day (Toyota Starlet) and Jak Elliott/Blair Brosnan (Toyota Echo).
Jack Stokes/Sarah Faulkner (Ford Fiesta R2) made an impressive start to the season, finishing sixth overall and winning Class B (2WD 1301-1600cc) ahead of Thomas Paul/Bridget Airey (Honda Civic) and James Worker/Mags Marshall (Ford Fiesta R2).
Dylan Thomson (Ford Fiesta Rally4) also started the defence of his Class C (2WD >1601cc) title, finishing ahead of Gareth O’Hara/Skyla Tohill (Toyota Corolla) and Stephen Gill/Grant Molloy (Ford Escort Mk2).
Stokes (Ford Fiesta AP4) was first home in Class D (4WD), with Macdonald (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo6) second and McMillan third.
Graves’ second overall saw him win Class E (Pre 1996 Classic 4WD), with 2023 title winner Hayden Shakespeare (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 3) in second and Nigel Ede/Mark Grimmer (Subaru Legacy RS) third.
2023 Historic Class F winner Ally Mackay/Mikko Johnston (Ford Escort Mk1) returned to the event in style, finishing seventh overall and in Class, beating home Tim McIver/Tim McDonald (Ford Escort Mk2 BDA) with Shane McKenzie/Sean Sands (Mitsubishi VR4) in third.
In the popular Subaru H6 Class, Macdonald came home ahead of Paul Cross/Janey Blair (Subaru Impreza H6) and Amy Keighley/Grant Marra (Subaru Impreza H6).
The next round takes place at the South Canterbury Rally which has moved to an early time, 11 May 2024.
RDL Performance, Brita Safety Ltd, Palmside NZ Ltd, Christchurch Building and Decorating Ltd, Thomson Rust and Repair Services Ltd, and Rally Drive NZ support the 2024 Mainland Rally Championship.
