The 2024 Mainland Rally Championship (MRC) gets underway this weekend at the Otago Rally and will see Dylan Thomson returning to defend his title. The six-round 2024 series spans across the whole calendar year, including two new rounds for the season.
Consistency was the key to Thomson’s 2023 victory in a 2WD car, finishing on the podium at four of the six rounds.
Otago is a favourite event among drivers, co-drivers, and teams and also doubles as the opening round of the NZ Rally Championship.
The rally has attracted a large number of entries, with the MRC taking place on the first of two competitive days based around the township of Lawrence. This will include eight Special Stages, from the 2.15km Tarmac Super Stage in Dunedin to the 42km Mitchells Flat/Waipori marathon stage late in the day.
There are seven separate Class titles for both driver and co-drivers to be decided from the best five results across the six rounds making up the MRC.
Mike Matheson (Toyota Vitz) returns to defend his Class A (2WD 0-1300cc) title against rival Pat Norris (Toyota Yaris). With Mainland entries still to be confirmed, the Class B (2WD 1301-1600cc) is wide open, with several competitors not returning this season and a number of new ones joining the Class.
Dylan Thomson (Ford Fiesta Rally4) will also defend his Class C (2WD >1601cc) title, while Robbie Stokes (Ford Fiesta AP4) starts favourite for Class D (4WD) along with Caleb Macdonald (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo6).
Hayden Shakespeare (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 3) defends his Class E (Pre 1996 Classic 4WD) title with rivals Mike Barltrop (Subaru Impreza) and Nigel Ede (Subaru Legacy RS) also making a return. 2023 Historic Class F winner Ally Mackay (Ford Escort Mk1) returns, as does Tom Milliken (Subaru H6), who secured the 2023 Class H (Subaru H6) title.
The second round takes place at the South Canterbury Rally which has moved to an early time, 11 May 2024, followed by the Canterbury Rally at its usual day on King’s Birthday weekend, 2 June 2024.
The Wyndham Rally is a new addition to the season, organised by the Eastern Southland Car Club in Southland on 10 August 2024. The final two rounds run on consecutive days as part of the 2024 NZ Silver Fern Rally. Saturday, 23 November, sees the fifth round competing on North Canterbury roads before heading across the Main Divide for Sunday, 24 November, and the Westland Clubmans Rally.
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.
Live timing for Rally Otago can be found at www.chrissport.co.nz.
