Robbie Stokes is both the top seed and odds-on favourite to win heading to the second round of the 2024 Mainland Rally Championship (MRC) this Saturday, 11 May 2024. The South Canterbury Car Club host the one-day South Canterbury Rally, which also doubles as the second round of the NZ Rally Championship, which has attracted nearly 70 entries.
Stokes and co-driver Sarah Brennan (Ford Fiesta AP4) made an impressive start to the 2023 season, winning all eight Special Stages at the opening round in April at the Otago Rally, finishing ahead of Andrew Graves/Hayden Graves (Mitsubishi Lance Evo 3) with Caleb Macdonald/Larisa Biggar (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 8) in third and last season’s MRC title holder Dylan Thomson (Ford Fiesta Rally4) fourth.
After a ceremonial opening at the Mitre 10 Timaru carpark on Bank St, from 5.30 pm on Friday, the Rally South Canterbury gets underway on Saturday both starting and finishing at Levels Raceway (418 Falvey Road, Timaru).
With the first car getting away at 8 am on Saturday, the event features 153km over eight Special Stages of competitive action on the fast gravel roads around the Timaru and Mackenzie Districts, with approximately 183km of touring between stages.
This includes a Power Stage (SS6 Raincliff) and the Super Special Stage, consisting of four quick laps of the Timaru International Raceway at Levels. Getting underway at 3:25 pm, the spectacular stage is a must for fans, with cars starting at one-minute intervals with more than one car on the circuit at one time with tyres designed to be used on predominantly tarmac surfaces not permitted.
There are two service stops for competitors, both in the township of Fairlie.
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.
After the first round, Mike Matheson/Gordon Legge (Toyota Vitz) leads Class A (2WD 0-1300cc) while Jack Stokes/Sarah Faulkner (Ford Fiesta R2) leads the very competitive Class B (2WD 1301-1600cc) ahead of Thomas Paul/Bridget Airey (Honda Civic) and James Worker/Mags Marshall (Ford Fiesta R2).
Last season’s MRC overall title winner, Dylan Thomson (Ford Fiesta Rally4), is defending his Class C (2WD >1601cc) title and leads this category ahead of Gareth O’Hara/Skyla Tohill (Toyota Corolla) and Stephen Gill/Grant Molloy (Ford Escort Mk2).
Stokes (Ford Fiesta AP4) also leads Class D (4WD) with Caleb Macdonald (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo6) second and Mark McMillan third.
Graves’ second overall in Otago saw him lead Class E (Pre 1996 Classic 4WD). He will carry on his rivalry with 2023 Class winner Hayden Shakespeare (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 3) and Nigel Ede/Mark Grimmer (Subaru Legacy RS).
The popular Historic Class F action continues, with Deane Buist (Ford Escort) looking to build his lead. Second-placed Ally Mackay/Mikko Johnston (Ford Escort Mk1) and third-placed Tim McIver/Tim McDonald (Ford Escort Mk2 BDA) have not entered the event.
James Macdonald leads the Subaru H6 class and could be one to watch having finished ninth at Rally Otago. Ian Elliot joins the Class while Paul Cross will be looking to improve on his 12th overall and second in Class.
