The recent Winmax Brakes Rally of Otago was the opening round of the 2022 Brian Green Property Group New Zealand Rally Championship and also incorporates the ever popular ENEOS International Classic Otago Rally.
With the pandemic hopefully somewhat behind us it was going to be interesting to see what rally enthusiasts have been doing in garages around the country during the unscheduled down time.
At the ceremonial start in Dunedin’s Octagon, NZRC fans were not disappointed with the number of new European R5 spec cars present to take on a strong field of locally developed AP4 spec cars.
Reigning Champion Haydon Paddon lead the field away in his Hyundai i20 AP4 and despite some day one issues won the event convincing ahead of Ben Hunt in his new Skoda Fabia Rally 2 Evo followed by Raana Horan in his Skoda Fabia R5.
With renewed interest in the NZ Rally Championship, it was great to see local manufacturers backing their brands like Toyota Gazoo Racing New Zealand whom is supporting Jack Hawkeswood’s Toyota Yaris AP4 campaign.
The International Classic Otago Rally field was packed with all types of classic machinery from the trusty BDA Escorts to a couple of crowd favourite Group B entries.
After an event long battle with Jeff Judd, Dean Buist in his Group B Toyota Celica claimed the Classic event for the third time after Judd’s Ford Escort RS2000 retired 3 stages from the finish. 2nd went to John Silcock in his Group B RX7 followed but Shane Murland in his Ford Escort RS1800.
One of the noteworthy drives within the Classic field resulted in a 7th place finish for first time rally competitor Fanga Dan Woolhouse in a borrowed Ford Escort RS1800. Stepping away from his long and successful career in Drifting, this new challenge had him buzzing all weekend long.
Unfortunately for driver Graeme Coey and James Cowles, a fiery crash in stage 13 on Day two ended in the loss of his Mitsubishi EX Turbo Lancer. With the help of his fellow competitors the crew made it out safely and the well organised officials quickly had the situation contained.
Winmax Brakes Rally of Otago
1.Haydon Paddon / John Kennard, Hyundai i20 AP4 , 2h04m56.8s
2. Ben Hunt / Tony Rawstorn, Skoda Fabia Rally 2 Evo, +5m27.1s
3. Raana Horan / Michael Connor, Skoda Fabia R5, +1m29.2s
ENEOS International Otago Classic Rally
1. Deane Buist / Karl Celeste, Toyota Celica Group B, 2h24m47.9s
2. John Silcock / Donna Elder, Mazda RX7 Group B, +1m12.2s
3. Shane Murland / Kane Seymour, Ford Escort RS1800, +2m24.1s
