A Little Bit Sideways - March 2022 by A Little Bit Sideways

NEW ZEALAND’S ONLY DEDICATED RALLY MAGAZINE

Issue 21, March 2022

NZRC Season Preview

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WRC Monte Carlo WRC Sweden

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Editor’s NOTES Hi, As you’re all well aware, things have been far from normal over the last 12 months. I will be doing my best to stick to the usually routine for magazines (March, June, September and December), but please bear with me if this moves slightly in the year, which will all be dependant on events going ahead as planned, which we all know has been difficult to do. EDITORIAL

Editor: Jason Byrne Jase@alittlebitsideways.co.nz 021 02306894

Photo contributors:

Becky Ladbrook / Fast Exposure Craig McIntosh Geoff Ridder Graeme Fraser Jason Byrne Matt Smith Steve and Tracy Russell

Other Important Contributors: Blair Bartels Brett Maddren Conor Edwards Craig McIntosh John Carter Kate Gordon-Smith Rob Scott The Southern Correspondant

Advertisers:

Please support these companies wherever possible as they are supporting this publication At Work Safety Auckland Denture Clinic Cambridge Tyre & Alignment GT Oils Letts Construction LJ Hooker Manurewa, Karaka, Pukekohe Mount Bikes Palmside Semog Racing Products, New Zealand The Engine Room Automotive Winmax Brakes / Paddon Rallysport

We always acknowledge organisers / volunteers in our sport but I think they need a special mention given the extra work the current pandemic has added to planning and running events etc. It hasn’t been easy but its great to see clubs’ determination to try and get events running as normal as possible for everyone to enoy. So a huge thank you to all organisers / volunteers around New Zealand who are making it possible for rallying to continue as normal as possible within current pandemic rules. The 2022 NZRC is shaping up to be epic with new cars, and great events lined up - check out this years preview on page 10 from Blair Bartels. Some crews are planning to compete in an epic event in 2023 (it was meant to be this year but covid has delayed it) Check out Jayson Stringer’s article on page 26 for an awesome look into the preparation going into the Peking to Paris an event that Brent Taylor and Chris Ramsay (along with other kiwi crews) are going to take on. Hopefully the Central Region Sprint Series (CRSS), Northern Rally Sprint Series (NRSS), Mainland Rally Series and even the Top Half Rally series will all be running this year. I would love to hear from you if you’re keen to help out with these events with reports. As you will see I’ve now also included a WRC component to the magazine, with the build up towards Rally New Zealand. I know I’ve mentioned this before, but I really cant thank the people and businesses listed at the side of this page enough. Without them, this magazine just wouldn’t be possible. If you would like to be part of this team, I would love to hear from you. I really do need all the help I can get. Here’s to a great year of Motorsport. Cheers Jase

Copyright: A Little Bit Sideways is copyright and may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the written permission of the publisher. Neither editorial opinions expressed, nor facts stated in advertisements, are necessarily agreed to by the editor or the publisher of A Little Bit Sideways. And whilst all efforts are made to ensure accuracy, no responsibility will be taken by the publishers for inaccurate information, or for any consequences of reliance on this information.

ISSN 2537-7345 Printed By: Kale Print Front Cover Image: Matt Jensen at Jack’s Ridge Hillclimb - Photo by Geoff Ridder

NEWS

RALLY

CONTENTS

FEATURES 06 | Lloyd Owen Tribute 08 | Hayden Paddon enters WRC2 06

10 | NZRC Preview 14 | WRC Rallye Monte-Carlo 20 | WRC Rally Sweden 26 | Peking to Paris

30 | Ben Nevis Golden 1200 36 | Top of the South Rally Sprint Series 40 | The other Side - Lawrence Rally 42 | The other Side - Rankleburn Rally

44 | Jack’s Ridge Hillclimb Photo Gallery 46 | Top of The South 1300cc Challenge 48 | South Road Bent Sprint 52 | Pukekohe Car Club Speed Weekend

56 | Road Open

Subscriptions

To subscribe please visit the website: www.alittlebitsideways.co.nz/shop or call Jase on 021 02306894.

• • • • AW Safety has the experience to help with your •health and safety needs across a range of industries. • •

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Lloyd William Owen 2 October 1938 – 5 January 2022

TRIBUTE BY THE SOUTHERN CORRESPONDENT

any hundreds of amazing heartfelt tributes have already been placed about Lloyd since his passing on the 5th January, and some incredible stories of his hilarious antics over an 84year lifetime with his brother Hugh. Some I feel sure will become etched into motorsport folklore. I knew Lloyd, but not as well as others. People who make a positive impact and inspire others will touch your heart, your soul, or your mind. The service today touched me. I came away from the service enlightened by the fact that this individual has brought not only joy and laughter to this world, but also many positives. It is these positives that Lloyd left us as his legacy that I wish to focus on here, which have come from his colourful past. Lloyd’s father immigrated from Wales to New Zealand prior to 1936, met a mainland lass, and together they started the family on a dairy farm just outside Murchison. Our motor racing / rallying bonds with Murchison just became ever so stronger. Many of the Owen brother stories, often started with, “My father used to say to us….” to which the general rule was to sit back and wait for the punch line. Lloyd would generally start a story, and Hugh would finish it. Sadly now though Hugh, you have been left with the role of carrying on the speaking tradition with the well-known Owen brothers charismatic drawl. So the one on the right has passed the speaking baton on to the one on the left…….

PHOTOS BY GEOFF RIDDER

Lloyd taught us to live life to the fullest, get the most from each hour and each age of your life. It was overall a lesson in how to have a successful life. For some it has been a road map to their own path. Lloyd’s philosophy - that if you love what you do, you will never work a day in your life. How true. Lloyd was a positive mentor. He would interact with all, and pass on his knowledge freely. Or he would listen, and listening today has really become a lost art. Lloyd was generous, he wanted the best for everyone, and was prepared to dig deep to help anyone. Lloyd inspired many into the sport, he was a true motorsport grass root’s ambassador. To many of his motorsport prodigy, Lloyd was a huge part of their lives. I can recall first hand some positive encouragements coming from Lloyd to those eager ears, “looked good” - “you were going well “, etc, encouragement that boosted their confidence to the point they went out and did better. Or they tried even harder, even if it was only within sight of where Lloyd or the Owen brothers crew were camped. Lloyd took a genuine interest in others, and because of that he was a master at establishing and maintaining relationships. Married for over 60 years to Marie and the love they so clearly shared is testament to that, a record few will equal.

The closeness in competition between Lloyd and Hugh from early 1971 with the Marlborough Car Club is legendary. Where else can you find two brothers who would consistently equal each others times? It came to the point where the club had to review and renew it’s timing systems to break the times down to thousands of a second just to separate the Owen brothers!! A fitting tribute by the Marlborough Car Club was to announce today that from 2022 the Redwood Pass Hillclimb will be renamed “The Owen Bothers Redwood Pass Hillclimb” and that tribute should not be lost on anyone. Lloyd’s farewell and celebration of his life was attended by at least 350 people, spread between 3 rooms at the funeral home, plus those who choose to stay outside under the covered veranda, and was viewed by countless others world-wide by video link. One of the tributes about Lloyd placed by Gus McMillan on the Blenheim Historical web site has been viewed over 12,000 times. With a typical maximum sun drenched Marlborough day, it was hot and touched on 38 degrees when returning to Christchurch. The beautiful weather helped promote; “bright and cheerful” - “life is great“, Lloyd would have been proud. He may have even had a hand in it….with a skilful articulation debating the pro’s and con’s with the powers that be perhaps. I would like to think so.

The Evo, one of Lloyd’s greatest pride and joys, was started and erupted into a high pitched melodious burble as the hearse left the premises taking Lloyd on his last journey. One of Lloyd’s nephews Liam O’Donnell made the comment during the service by video link, “ If you look at life, and as a barometer of success it looks like you are leaving the world in a better place, then we can all agree Lloyd’s life was completely fulfilled ”. Amen to that. Always look on the bright side of life, and when faced with the last curtain, you can take a bow Lloyd William Owen, and we will look on the bright side of death. Lloyd, your legacy has left the world a better place, now it is up to us to ensure we don’t lose the message and continue the momentum. RIP Lloyd, it has been a pleasure and honour knowing you. Southern Correspondent: 12 January 2022

A line up of the Owen brothers race / rally cars were on show outside the venue, including one of the brother’s first enduro bikes.

RALLY

NEWS

Hyundai New Zealand enters WRC with Hayden Paddon

A 100 per cent New Zealand rally team returns to world rallying with confirmation that Hyundai New Zealand is backing Kiwi rally star Hayden Paddon with an exciting new, international partnership. Under the Hyundai New Zealand Rally banner, Paddon and longtime co-driver John Kennard will compete in a Hyundai i20N Rally2 car in selected events of the WRC2 category of the 2022 FIA World Rally Championship and undertake a full seven-event campaign the following year with the aim of winning the 2023 WRC2 Championship. The car will be run by Hyundai New Zealand Rally, with Paddon’s established team of engineers, technicians and team management joining Paddon and Kennard, from Cromwell and Blenheim respectively, at the international events. “We are delighted to work with Hyundai New Zealand as we embark on a two-year WRC2 campaign with the new Hyundai i20N Rally2 car,” says Paddon who is a brand ambassador for Hyundai New Zealand. “This year we have planned a campaign which allows us to get up to speed with the awesome i20N Rally2 car, the car’s development and team development, before undertaking a full seven-round campaign in 2023 with the sole goal of winning that championship title.” Paddon doesn’t underestimate the challenges ahead, not least with logistics and travel. “But we’re so proud to be taking a Kiwi team to these offshore events, along with some support in Europe and backed by an incredible line-up of New Zealand companies including Hyundai New Zealand to make this unique campaign possible.” The team’s WRC2 schedule gets underway at Rally Estonia which runs 14-17 July, followed by Rally Finland 4-7 August.

“I’m really looking forward to rallying in Europe again!” says Paddon, having not competed outside New Zealand for more than two years with several possibilities interrupted by Covid. “We have been trying so hard over the past two years to get back to the WRC. It’s been tough with everything going on in the world. So together with Hyundai New Zealand we decided to take matters into our own hands, and launch a Kiwi team to take on the WRC2. “I am really excited about doing this campaign with our own team. Of course it’s going to be challenging but we have a clear target for this two-year programme and we will be putting our best foot forward to try and achieve that.” Chris Blair, General Manager of Hyundai New Zealand, is delighted to see Paddon make his long-awaited return to world rallying and praised Paddon’s never-give-up attitude. “Hayden is the epitome of what Hyundai New Zealand stands for,” says Blair. “He’s ambitious, innovative, committed and passionate about being Kiwi. We have never stopped believing in his potential and that of the team. Despite adversity in 2019, he bounced back more driven than ever. As a result, we’ve developed the world’s first electric rally car, and here we are again prepared to take on the world with an all-Kiwi rally team in WRC2.” After the two European events, the Rally2 car comes home to contest Rally New Zealand from 29 September to 2 October. “I can’t wait to compete on the awesome roads of Rally New Zealand again and show what the Rally2 car is capable of.” Other events may be added to the competition schedule as the season progresses to assist the team with their development, management and running of the car.

NEWS The announcement of Hyundai New Zealand and Paddon’s WRC2 campaign comes at the same time as Hyundai New Zealand announced its support of the 2022 running of Rally New Zealand when the iconic Kiwi rally will again be part of the World Rally Championship. Paddon adds: “Without the support of Hyundai New Zealand, both our WRC2 campaign and the general health of rallying in New Zealand would not be where it is today, so I am hugely humbled for their faith in us to attempt to bring home a world title. And, of course, the return of WRC Rally New Zealand will be exciting for everyone, being a key ‘must do’ sporting event in New Zealand this year.” Looking ahead to Rally New Zealand at the end of September, Chris Blair is looking forward to a stronger Hyundai presence at this iconic, world-class event. “This will be the first Rally New Zealand that Hyundai will compete in with not one, but two Hyundai teams – Hyundai Motorsport in WRC1 and Hyundai New Zealand Rally in WRC2 and AP4,” says Blair. “It’s set to be a really exciting year for Hyundai New Zealand with our announcement that we’re competing in a two-year WRC2 campaign with Hayden, John and the team, as well as sponsoring Rally New Zealand, an event we are so excited to see return to our shores.” Hyundai New Zealand has been committed to rallying in New Zealand for many years and Rally New Zealand organisers are thrilled to have their support, along with Paddon acting as an ambassador for the event and competing on his home turf. “The team at Hyundai New Zealand have been right behind us every step of the way as we’ve lobbied to bring the WRC back to New Zealand and we’re hugely grateful for their persistence and ongoing support through some challenging times,” says Michael Goldstein, CEO Rally New Zealand. “We are all hugely supportive and full of admiration for their ambition to create a kiwi team that will take on the world of rallying. We wish Hyundai New Zealand Rally Team and Hayden the very best of luck

RALLY

and hope they come into Rally New Zealand, Auckland with some great results under their belt.” The Hyundai New Zealand Rally WRC2 programme and New Zealand competition programmes are currently being finalised for the Hyundai AP4 and Kona EV cars are supported by Hyundai NZ, Mitre 10 Trade, Pirelli and Winmax Brake Pads. The team’s New Zealand programmes also benefit from the support Meridian Energy, ETCO, Gen Less, Bar’s Bugs, Z Energy, Bartercard, Mike Greer Homes, Repco, Provident Insurance, Ben Nevis Station, TransDiesel, Highlands, Accessman, YHI Energy, Sign It Signs, OMP/Racer Products, Carter’s Tyres, Gravity Internet, Open Country, Makita and Pak’nSave. Keep up with news on Hayden Paddon, Paddon Rallysport and the Hyundai New Zealand Rally team by subscribing to Paddon’s Pack at www.paddonspack.co.nz ■ About the WRC2 Championship Every round of the WRC season features WRC2, but drivers and co-drivers can only nominate seven scoring rounds. Their best six results count. To be eligible for the Rally2 category, manufacturers must have made at least 2500 examples of the road-going version of their nominated vehicle model in the previous 12 months. Rally2 cars run 1.6-litre, fuel-injected, turbocharged 4-cylinder engines with a power output of around 285bhp (212kW). They run permanent 4WD and a 5-speed sequential gearbox. Minimum weight is 1230kg, or 1390kg with driver and co-driver. More info: https://www.wrc.com/en/championship/wrc-2/about/ Hyundai New Zealand Rally 2022 competition calendar

(With Hyundai EV rally car dates to be added) 5-6 March – Ben Nevis Station Golden 1200 Hillclimb (Hyundai AP4) 8-10 April – Rally of Otago (NZRC, Hyundai AP4) 13-15 May – International Rally of Whangarei (NZRC, Hyundai AP4) 18 June – South Canterbury Rally (NZRC, Hyundai AP4) 14-17 July – Rally Estonia (WRC, Hyundai i20N Rally2) 30 July – Rally Hawke’s Bay (NZRC, Hyundai AP4) 4-7 August – Rally Finland (WRC, Hyundai i20N Rally2) 29 September-2 October – Rally New Zealand (WRC, Hyundai i20N Rally2)

RALLY

NZRC

NZRC - Season Preview

Hayden Paddon / John Kennard

ARTICLE BY BLAIR BARTELS The 2022 Brian Green Property Group New Zealand Rally Championship is shaping up to be one of the most competitive in recent times and promises to be a standout season amongst a golden period for the sport with six rounds covering a wide variety of the country, finishing with the return of the World Rally Championship to New Zealand for the first time in 10 years. Starting with the traditional two day rounds in Otago and Whangarei, the series then heads into four dingle day rounds, starting with South Canterbury, then onto Hawkes Bay, before the final two single day rounds on the opening two days of Rally NZ. Fronting up to defend his record equalling fifth national title is Hayden Paddon, who again teams up with John Kennard in the Hyundai i20 AP4. While on pace, Paddon is likely to head off all comers, rumours surrounding just how many rounds he will compete in an NZRC spec car meaning the defending champion should not be written off, but potentially opens the door to the chasing pack. Theoretically, the strongest chaser should be two time champion Ben Hunt, last year’s runner up. There are just as many rumours surrounding Hunt and his plans for 2022, which are yet to be formally announced. What we do know is his 2019 championship winning car is sold and will be a tarmac car moving forward and we know Hunt and Tony Rawstorn will make an announcement will be made this side of Otago. As well as Hunt, several teams that battled for podium finishes across the 2021 season become likely contenders for the outright championship. Raana Horan returns with his trusty Skoda Fabia R5, having been unable to secure a brand new car due to massive wait times, while Michael Connor returns on the notes, the pair consistently fighting for podiums across last season and are also the most recent round winners outside of Paddon. After a start to the season full of speed and heartbreak, Robbie and Amy Stokes finally stuck a result on the board that sent a solid message to their competitors. After showing good pace early before having their respective seasons finished early, Josh Marston and Dylan Turner will also be red hot contenders across the season, the former 12

PHOTOS BY JASON BYRNE continuing with Andrew Graves while the latter will team up with 2017 champion Jeff Cress. Add to that list Emma Gilmour, if the Suzuki can prove reliable after plenty more off-season work and while juggling Extreme E commitments, may see a round or two logistically challenging, although ever loosening quarantine restrictions may aid Gilmour and Mal Peden’s cause. A test session post Hawkes Bay saw Matt Summerfield make some big gains with the Mitsubishi Mirage AP4 after what he could only describe as a frustrating season in 2021, so he and co-driving sister Nicole will look to convert that into results this year. Another who will be looking to put a miserable 2021 behind him will be Phil Campbell, who for 2022 teams up with Brianna Little. Also in that boat are Jack Hawkeswood and Sarah Brennan. Horan leads a group of R5 cars that expands for the 2022 season. Todd Bawden’s Ford Fiesta R5 will finally make its championship debut at Otago with Paul Burborough on the notes, having been due to debut at the season finale last year before it was cancelled. Kingsley and Waverley Jones also return with their Skoda, while Andy Martin steps up from the Rally Challenge class into Category 1 with Matt Hayward in a Volkswagen Polo R5. The car is touch and go in terms of arriving prior to Otago, but worst case will join the series from Whangarei onwards. At this stage, details of where we may see Regan Ross’ R5 Fiesta throughout the season are unknown as he focusses on a Silver Fern campaign in 2022. Other AP4 runners include Haydn Mackenzie/Michael Goudie in the championship debut of the ex-Shannon Chambers Toyota Yaris, although the impending birth of his first child may delay the start to his season, series sponsor Brian Green, who is due to complete a full season alongside Fleur Pedersen after health issues curtailed his 2021 season after round 2, while a trio of Mazda 2’s will be the vehicle of choice for Matt Jensen/Tyson Jemmett, Duncan McCrostie/Samantha Gray and Glenn Inkster/Spencer Winn. 2022 also sees Ari Pettigrew team up with Jason Farmer in the ex-Greg Murphy Holden Barina.

NZRC

RALLY

Details of exactly how many rounds Mike Young will compete in are still to be determined, but he has entered Otago with Amy Hudson calling notes, again in the SAS Subaru Impreza where he will look to build on last year. It is expected a few more drivers may join an already stacked Category 1 field as the season progresses. The FIA 2WD field continues the momentum from the 2021 season. Defending champion Dylan Thomson moves on, while young guns from last year Jordan Grant (with Glenn Goldring) in his Suzuki Swift, Bryn Jones/Jared Hudson (Ford Fiesta) and Jackson Clendon/Andrew Brooks – who have a Rally 4 spec Ford Fiesta out of last years JWRC on the water to replace last year’s car. Another young gun joining the series is Lukas Ramsay, co-driven by Sean Thompson in the ex-Phil Campbell, Max Bayley Ford Fiesta R2 campaigned by Brendon Wadsworth last season. JP Van der Mays and Troy Twomey join the class in a Ford Fiesta, while the experienced head of Charlie Evans will keep the young guns honest in his Honda Civic, co-driven by Dayna Kiekebosch.

Jordan Grant / Glenn Goldring

Open 2WD again offers a diverse field and with defending champion Ari Pettigrew moving into the four-wheel drive car, long time front runner Marcus van Klink yet to commit to a full campaign and Wayne Pittams also likely to be watching pending sponsorship, a first time winner is on the cards. Two front runners likely to set the pace will be Brent Taylor/Chris Ramsay (Toyota FT86) and Bruce Herbert/Bevan Parker (Mitsubishi Lancer EX Turbo), while defending Rally Challenge 2WD champions Daniel Haines/Matt Priest in their Ford Escort also move up to the Open 2WD championship. Dave Strong returns with the wild mid engined Honda Jazz, this year with Carol Liston calling the notes after long time co-driver Bruce McKenzie retired. Chris Alexander also joins the class along with Yvonne Fullerton in a DX Corolla. Again, this is a class we expect to see more cars join as the season progresses.

Jonty Brenssell / Daph O’Rourke

To date, series podium finisher from last year David Sievers likely starts as a favourite in the four wheel drives, again teaming up with Matty Sayers, although Jeff Ward/Murray O’Neil in the ex-Mason Subaru Impreza and defending Group A Challenge winner Sean Haggarty, again with daughter Bella co-driving, is likely to run him hard, while Dave Ollis with daughter Gemma co-driving are another Subaru contender. Other group A competitors include Jay Sharp/ Johnny Andrews, Chris & Sean Lockyear and Simon Bell/Warwick Martin, while a trio of H6 Impreza’s will create a good battle between Paul Cross/Janey Blair, Steve Cox/Laurie Brenssell and the only all female crew in registered to date, Amy Keighley/Nikita Gibson. The Rally Challenge 2WD also shapes up to be a fascinating battle, Jonty Brenssell/Daph O’Rourke showed their pace at Timaru last year and is likely to set the pace, however last season Sam Byrne/ Leanne Williams showed consistency was the key and come armed with a turbo added to their Mitsubishi Lancer. They will also have to keep an eye of fellow Whakatane driver Jono Shapley, who along with Crunch Bennett arrive with a Toyota Yaris Turbo. David Taylor returns to the series in his Honda Civic, this year co-driven by Grandson Arthur Broughan, while a question mark hangs over the entry of Paul Taylor/Richard Leggett after severely damaging the BMW 535I competing in the NZ Hillclimb championships. With the deadline for publication for this issue falling just inside close of entries for the season opener, expect a few surprises to add to this list, which will add up to another epic season in the Brian Green Property Group New Zealand Rally Championship. ■

The Historic battle, such a highlight in 2021, should again be spectacular. Defending champions Anthony and Zoe Jones will return to Otago to defend their title, but are unsure just how many rounds they will contest this season with an eye on the Silver Fern, which also sees multiple round winner Jeff Judd miss the championship in 2022. However both Shane Murland/Kayne Seymour and John Silcock/Donna Elder are also chasing the title, while a dark horse could be the ex-Deane Buist VW Golf GTi of Troy Smith/Noel Moloney. The Rally Challenge sees a different format in 2022, with the best two of the first four rounds combining with rounds five and six, which are day one and two of Rally New Zealand, to determine a champion. That means people could start a campaign as late as Timaru. 13

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CIRCUIT

ROAD

CLUB RALLY Paddon Rallysport is proud to be the distributor of Winmax by Paddon Racing Group Brakes in New Zealand for street, club, rally and circuit applications. A world class brake pad, Winmax is used by many WRC, WEC, GT and TCR teams around the world. Hayden Paddon first started working with Winmax in 2013 during his World Rally Championship campaigns and since has been involved in the development of different compounds for different uses. Braking is one of the most important factors for driver confidence, which is why Paddon uses Winmax in all his cars around the world. Find the right race car brakes, performance car brakes, and rally car brakes at paddonrallysport.co.nz If you have any troubles don’t hesitate to contact our team: info@paddonrallysport.co.nz

Winmax Announce 2022 Junior Drivers Winmax Brake Pads and Paddon Racing Group have joined forces again in 2022 to offer the future stars of motorsport a chance to be part of the Winmax Junior Driver scholarship. In 2022, Jordan Grant, Jackson Clendon and Bryn Jones will be given tutorship from Hayden Paddon to advance their driving careers along with free brake pads for the season. All three are rising stars of the sport, campaigning in Category 2 of the New Zealand Rally Championship. For Paddon, these candidates were hard to pick from the range of applications. But believes in the future of all three drivers. “It’s really exciting to see the youth of New Zealand rallying coming through. Maybe the strongest it’s ever been. We know from our experiences that any help and support you can get from people around you helps to fast track the learning process. That’s exactly what we will try and help Bryn, Jordan, and Jackson with. Three talented drivers who we look forward to seeing how they perform.” All three drivers will run on Winmax Brake Pads while Hayden will offer his time and advice to the candidates. For the youngest of the line-up, Bryn Jones, he sees it as an opportunity to develop early into his career.

Jordan Grant - Photo credit Jason Byrne

“To be able to work with Hayden Paddon who has WRC experience and has been someone I have looked up to from a young age. Giving me a great opportunity to advance my learning and become a better driver in the future” Comments Jones. Jordan Grant, who showed strong pace consistently in 2021, will use this experience to attack for a National Title this year. “This is an awesome way to start the season and will be a massive opportunity for me to gain knowledge from Hayden. It’s cool for Hayden to be actively involved in developing us younger guys and giving us access to such high specification Winmax brake pads. I’m looking forward to learning as much as I can from Hayden.” Jackson Clendon though, still looking to be competitive, will draw from Haydens experience in left hand drive as he campaigns the popular M-Sport R2t recently used in the Junior World Rally Championship. All three drivers will begin their New Zealand Rally Championship campaign at Otago Rally in April and intend to line up at the returning WRC Rally New Zealand in September.

Bryn Jones - Photo credit Jason Byrne

Jackson Clendon - Photo credit Jason Byrne

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WRC

Rallye Mo A Tale of Two Sebs

WRC

RALLY

onte-Carlo

RALLY

WRC

ARTICLE BY CONOR EDWARDS

his year sees the 50th anniversary of the WRC Championship and the latest reincarnation of the World Rally Championship arrived in Monte Carlo for the opening round of the 2022 World Championship. This year sees a new era of rally cars with new regulations, hybrid technology and sustainable fuel. The Rally1 manufacturer entries have 1.6 litre turbocharged engines with an additional 100kw (134bhp) electric motor which is ‘fuelled’ by regenerated energy from the cars’ braking system. Once the drivers have regenerated enough energy on each stage they are able to use a three second boost of electric energy, which combined with the car’s internal combustion engine will generate a total of 500 bhp. It might have been a new era of rallying but it was the old faces that generated as much excitement as the new top tier Rally1 cars in Monte Carlo. Nine times World Champion Sebastien Loeb had returned to Monte Carlo to drive for the M-Sport Ford World Rally Team along with fellow Frenchman Sebastien Ogier, who although retired from full time rallying at the end of 2021 was taking part in the Monte event for Toyota Gazoo Racing. All eyes were on the two most successful WRC drivers and Monte masters to see who would come out on top. Ogier arrived at the start ramp in Monaco with eight Monte Carlo rally victories, one more than Loeb. Both Loeb and Ogier were driving new cars and both working with new co-drivers. The M-Sport Ford team entered four cars in the event with Craig Breen & Paul Nagle, Adrien Fourmaux & Alexandre Coria and Gus Greensmith & Jonas Andersson joining Sebastien Loeb & Isabelle Galmiche all driving the Ford Puma Rally1 car. The line-up for reigning Manufacturer Champions Toyota remained unchanged with Elfyn Evans & Scott Martin, Kalle Rovanpera & Jonne Halttunen joining Sebatien Ogier & Benjamin Veillas. Whilst Takamoto Katsuta & Aaron Johnston competed for the Toyota Gazoo Racing second team entry. Hyundai Motorsport team regulars Ott Tanak & Martin Jarveoja, 18

Thierry Neuville & Martijan Wydaeghe were joined by new full-time team members Oliver Solberg & Elliot Edmondson for Monte Carlo. Shakedown for Monte Carlo on the Thursday morning provided more than the usual interest with fans eager to see which of the French World Champions would come out on top. In this case it was first blood to Ogier who was fastest with a time of 1:50.4 over the 2.29km shakedown stage beating Loeb into second place with a time of 1:50.9. Thursday night saw the rally start with two stages over damp, twisty and icy mountain roads in the dark. Again, it was Ogier who came out on top, leading Loeb by 6.7 seconds after the two stages. This was Loeb’s first WRC event since Turkey in 2020, not only that but he had only just completed the fourteen day Dakar Rally, finishing in second place six days earlier. This was impressive, Loeb was in a new car, using the new hybrid technology and with a new co-driver.

WRC The Friday leg consisted of six stages, a loop of three stages in the morning which were repeated after lunchtime but with only a tyre change available to crews before the second loop of stages. It was Sebastien Loeb who dominated on Friday morning taking three stage wins to lead the rally by 10.6 seconds from Elfyn Evans who had moved ahead of his Toyota teammate Ogier. M-Sport’s Adrien Fourmaux had started the first stage of Friday morning in fourth place but misjudged his approach into a fast left-hand bend clipping the exposed mountain rock face which pitched the car off the road down into a ravine. After a series of violent rolls the car came to a rest heavily damaged but thankfully with Adrien and Alexandre uninjured which was a testimony to the FIA designed safety cells for the Rally1 hybrid cars. On the first stage of the second loop (SS6), Loeb was again quicker than Ogier, beating him by 2.9 seconds. Stage 7 saw a stage win by Gus Greensmith who was very quickly growing in confidence in the new M-Sport hybrid Puma. It was a career milestone achieved by the 25-year-old Greensmith who had a very limited testing programme with the new Ford Puma in the run up to his fifth attempt at the Monte Carlo rally. Ogier was second quickest on Stage 7, 1.4 seconds slower than Greensmith and followed this with a win on Stage 8 reducing Loeb’s lead to 9.9 seconds. Elfyn Evans finished the day in third, 12.1 seconds behind Ogier. Meanwhile, Hyundai were having a difficult day. Thierry Neuville lacked confidence in the new hybrid i20 commenting that he had “never been so scared while driving”. Despite Neuville’s concerns with the car and suffering from intermittent hybrid power issues as well as a spin, he managed to move up to fourth overall by the end of the Friday stages. Hyundai teammate Ott Tanak also struggled with hybrid power issues in his hybrid i20 over the morning loop but climbed from seventh overall to fifth place by the end of leg 2. In the third Hyundai car, Oliver Solberg was trying to cope with smoke and fumes inside the car which were making his eyes water and leading to lapses of concentration. On top of this the young Norwegian was also dealing with intermittent gear-

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shift problems. Solberg finished the Friday leg 10th overall. Elfyn Evans was fastest on the first stage of Saturday morning in a Toyota 1 2 3 on SS9 beating teammate Kalle Rovanpera by 0.7 seconds with Ogier a further 3.2 seconds behind. SS10 saw another Toyota 1 2 3, though this time it was Ogier fastest by 1.1 seconds from Evans with Rovanpera a further 4.1 seconds behind. Loeb’s advantage was gone with both Loeb and Ogier on the same overall time after 10 stages. Stage 10 also saw young Solberg slide off the road as the problem of fumes seeping inside the Hyundai hybrid i20 remained unresolved. Stage 11 saw further drama as Elfyn Evans slid off the road and became stuck on the grassy mountain side and risked slipping down and back onto the stage which continued below. As a result of the precarious position of Evans’ Toyota the stage was red flagged. With the help of spectators Evans and Scott Martin managed to extricate their Yaris and continue to the end of the stage but the time lost knocked them out of points contention and they completed the rally 21st overall. By the end of Saturday Ogier had stretched his lead to 21.1 seconds over Loeb. The afternoon stages were a combination of largely dry tarmac with intermittent snow and ice on parts of the mountain stages. Tyre choice, bravery and luck determined the outcome with Ogier coming out on top. Waiting to start the last stage of the day, Ogier had seen Loeb’s tyre set up and quickly changed his own to match Loeb’s tyre choice before starting the stage. M-Sports Craig Breen had been driving a careful rally as he settled into the new Puma. Throughout the day Breen had been making adjustments to the car and as his confidence grew he moved up the leaderboard to third overall going into the final day. Saturday proved to be another awful day for Hyundai. Solberg managed to get the car going again after his off on SS10 but was finding the going hard with the fumes inside the car causing him dizziness. Eventually the team would withdraw Solberg’s car from the event. Neuville was also struggling for confidence in the car and a

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further mechanical issue resulted in him checking in late and incurring a time penalty. Ott Tanak had a rear left puncture on SS9 losing over a minute and on SS12 he was caught out on an icy patch sliding into a bank at slow speed. The impact resulted in damage to a hydraulic hose which sprayed his windscreen with fluid and suffered from a puncture further in the stage which resulted in retirement as Tanak has already used his one and only spare tyre.

he was in launch mode. Loeb was fourth quickest on the final stage but it was enough to finish ahead of Ogier on the leaderboard by 10.5 seconds.

Neuville had been experiencing problems with the front right damper on his Hyundai through the morning’s stages but on SS12 the suspension broke forcing the damper up through the bonnet. Neuville and Martijn managed to make a repair to their Hyundai’s suspension between stages but 3km from the end of SS13 the temporary repair gave way and the Belgium crew limped to the end of the final stage of the day and back to service for a proper repair.

A fantastic start to a new season for M-Sport who lead Toyota by three points in the Manufacturers Championship. For Hyundai it was a poor performance with only Thierry Neuville finishing the event for the Korean manufacturer in sixth place. It appears that Hyundai Motorsport have a lot of work to do while they also have the distraction of looking for a new team manager. ■

The final leg on Sunday consisted of 67km over four stages. While Loeb was not giving up on a Monte win it certainly looked like there was not enough stage mileage on the final leg to outpace Ogier. Loeb went quickest on the first of the Sunday stages, beating Ogier but only by 1.1 seconds. The next stage saw Loeb not take any risks in the slippery condition and as a result lost time to Ogier who extended his lead to 24.6 seconds with two stages left to run. Stage 16 saw Ogier pick up a puncture in the Toyota Yaris hybrid allowing Loeb to retake the lead with a 9.5 second advantage in the M-Sport Ford hybrid Puma. With one stage remaining it could go either way between the two French world champions but on the start line of the final stage a lapse of concentration by Ogier saw him release the Yaris early and incur a 10 second penalty for a jump start. Ogier put it down to an unusual noise from the engine in the Yaris that distracted him when

Craig Breen & Paul Nagle came home in a secure third place for M-Sport giving the semi-privateer Cumbrian team two crews on the Monte Carlo podium.

Monte Carlo results 1 Sebastien Loeb – Isabelle Galmiche 2 Sebastien Ogier – Benjamin Veillas 3 Craig Breen – Paul Nagle 4 Kalle Rovanpera – Jonne Halttunen 5 Gus Greensmith – Jonas Andersson 6 Thierry Neuville – Martijn Wydaeghe 7 Andreas Mikkelsen – Torstein Eriksen 8 Takamoto Katsuta _ Aaron Johnston 9 Erik Cais – Petr Tesinsky 10 Nikolay Gryazin – Konstantin Aleksandrov

3:00:32.8 +10.5 +1:39.8 +2:16.2 +6:33.4 +7:42.6 +11:33.8 +12:24.7 +13:41.3 +14:42.5

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SWEDEN

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ARTICLE BY CONOR EDWARDS

he second round of the World Rally Championship took place in Sweden, running from the 24th to 27th of February. Based in the town of Umea, which is close to the Arctic Circle, the event ran as a snow rally with all the stages covered with a thick blanket of snow. However, due to the heavy snowfalls in the region, herds of reindeer had moved south forcing two of the stages to be cancelled, reducing the competitive stage mileage to 264.81km over 19 stages. The opening day on Friday was the longest of the event, consisting of two loops of three stages with a service taking place between the loops; this was followed by a short 1.5km arena spectator stage in Umea. WRC Championship leader, 21-year-old Kalle Rovanperä driving the Toyota Yaris Rally1 car was first on the road. Kalle had been fastest in shakedown on the previous day when he beat Hyundai’s Ott Tänak by three-tenths of a second. Despite running with studded snow tyres, the leading rally crews all complained about a lack of grip on the thick layer of snow covering stage one. Hyundai’s Ott Tänak was fastest on the first stage followed by Toyota’s Rovanperä who despite being first on the road was only 0.4 seconds slower than Tänak. Tänak’s team-mate Oliver Solberg was also quick over the opening stage coming in third fastest driving a Hyundai i20 Rally1 car. Only one second covered the top three crews. It was a promising start for Hyundai with Thierry Neuville finishing the stage fourth fastest. Hyundai, who had such a torrid time on the first round of the WRC Championship in Monte Carlo, needed to have a strong Swedish event to secure a haul of manufacturers’ points. Toyota’s Esapekka Lappi moved into the lead after stage two. Lappi, who had been in fifth place after stage one, had not driven a WRC/Rally1 car competitively since last October, but he was settling in quickly to the hybrid Yaris, despite having to adjust to the lack of centre differentials, a heavier car and the three-second bursts of 130+ hybrid horsepower. Lappi was 1 second ahead of Kalle Rovanperä with Hyundai’s Oliver Solberg holding on to third place a 24

further 2.4 seconds behind. Tänak was struggling with the balance of his Hyundai i20 and was in fourth place. M-Sport’s Craig Breen had been seventh overall after stage one but on stage two he spun after clipping a snowbank and had to three-point-turn on a tight section of the stage and lost over 20 seconds. As a result of the impact into the snowbank, the M-Sport Puma’s windscreen washer jets turned on. A continuous flow of washer fluid was squirting onto Breen’s windscreen and distracting him as he continued down the stage. A few kilometres later a mistake by Breen left the Puma beached on top of a snowbank, forcing the M-Sport crews’ retirement for the day. Rovanperä reclaimed the rally lead on stage three only to lose it on the next stage to Toyota team-mate Elfyn Evans. Oliver Solberg was now up to second overall after stage four in the Hyundai, Lappi was in third place having stalled the Toyota on the start line and Rovanperä dropped to fourth. On stage four there was also drama for Takamoto Katsuta who had become stuck on a snowbank but luckily there were spectators nearby who managed to push the Yaris free. On stage five, Ott Tänak lost the use of his hybrid unit with 10km of the stage left to complete. The Hyundai driver made it to the end of the stage but was forced to stop on the road section on the way to stage six. The issue with the Hyundai’s hybrid unit produced a red warning light on the car and as per regulations, Tänak was forced to retire the car as a safety precaution. Day one ended with another new leader in the shape of Hyundai’s Thierry Neuville, who had managed to preserve his tyres over the earlier stages. Rovanperä had moved up to second place in the Yaris with team-mate Elfyn Evans 3.1 second behind in third place. Lappi was continuing to put in strong performances and was in fourth place in Toyota team Yaris. By the end of the day, Oliver Solberg’s tyres were gone, and he struggled for grip dropping him to fifth overall.

WRC Saturday morning’s opening loop of stages saw Kalle Rovanperä once again claim the rally lead. It was a Toyota 1-2-3 with teammate Elfyn Evans in the Yaris in second place followed by Esapekka Lappi who was only 12 seconds off the lead. Thierry Neuville, who had been the overnight leader, was struggling with grip in the Hyundai and also had an overshoot costing him 11 seconds and dropping him to fourth overall. The afternoon loop of three stages saw Rovanperä extend his lead over Evans. On the last stage of the day, Evans went over the top of a snowbank at the flying finish, he completed the stage but not via the designated route and as a result, incurred a ten-second penalty. Thierry Neuville had moved his Hyundai i20 up to third overall ahead of Lappi in fourth. Neuville

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was “baffled” by the speed of Rovanperä in the Yaris over the tricky stages. Craig Breen who had re-started the rally in the M-Sport Puma was forced to retire again when an electrical issue on the Puma’s ‘Kill Switch’ cut power to the engine. Using ‘FaceTime’ on his phone, Breen was able to consult with the M-Sport engineers to eventually work out a bypass to the electrical issue and re-start the car and return to service. Adrien Fourmaux in the second M-Sport Puma also had an engine issue that cost him over five minutes and dropped him from Rally1 points contention. The third M-Sport Puma driven by Gus Greensmith climbed the leader board to sixth overall, sandwiched between Toyota’s Takamoto Katsuta in fifth and Hyundai’s Oliver Solberg who was seventh at the end of day two.

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Sunday consisted of two stages run twice covering just under 57km of competitive distance. Averaging speeds of 140 kph, Rovanperä was quickest on the first stage of the day. Team-mate Elfyn Evans was caught out by a compression in the stage which pitched the car into a snowbank and caused heavy frontal damage to the Yaris. Evans was able to continue but with none of the hybrid’s function lights active on the Yaris, he was forced to retire from the event under the new hybrid safety regulations. Evans’s retirement allowed Thierry Neuville to move his Hyundai i20 up the leader board into second overall, followed by Lappi in the Toyota Yaris. Rovanperä’s Toyota was plagued with hybrid issues all morning and he was running without the extra boost that the hybrid unit provides. Despite this issue, he managed to maintain his lead and the twentyone-year-old Finn claimed another WRC rally victory and extended his lead in the WRC Driver’s Championship. It was 21 years since his father, Harri Rovanperä won the Swedish Rally driving a Peugeot 206 WRC. The battle for second place was between Hyundai’s Thierry Neuville and Toyota’s part-time driver Esapekka Lappi. Neuville kept Lappi at bay and held onto second place with Lappi finishing in third place, in front of Takamoto Katsuta in another Toyota Yaris. This was a strong performance from the Japanese driver who had lost time on the first day when he got stuck in a snowbank. M-Sport’s Gus Greensmith also had a great drive bringing home the M-Sport Puma in fifth overall. This was a solid and mature drive by Greensmith on a surface that he has limited experience of driving on. ■

The next round of the WRC takes place in Croatia in April. Going into the Croatian round the Drivers’ Championship standings are: 1 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.

Kalle Rovanperä Thierry Neuville Sebastien Loeb Gus Greensmith Sebastien Ogier Takamoto Katsuta Craig Breen Esapekka Lappi Andreas Mikkelsen Oliver Solberg

46 points 32 points 27 points 20 points 19 points 18 points 16 Points 15 Points 12 points 8 points

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INTERNATIONAL

Peking

Paris ?

Sure, why not!

WORDS AND PHOTOS BY JAYSON STRINGER

Part One: How & Why Kiwis, with our never-say-die attitudes combined with good old “#8 wire” mentality, certainly don’t lack for either ambition or ingenuity. In a world full of doubt and uncertainty, there’s a small group of Kiwi rally teams that are about to break the mould and push some spectacularly large boundaries. The Peking to Paris Rally is a challenge like no other. More than 14,000km long (no that’s not a typo), spanning 10 countries, and contested over 36 days, this event is the very definition of marathon rallying. It’s a rally designed specifically to test the very limits of both the cars and their crews. It is an event well-deserved of the fearsome reputation it has built since its inception. For the 2023 running, there were over 800 expressions of interest received from eager competitors from around the globe just 24 hours after the official event launch in Paris! Just think about that for a moment. From this list, 110 lucky crews were selected to compete. Just being able to make the start of this incredible event should be seen as a victory in itself. Of the 110 teams on the start list, 46 will be competing in the vintage category for cars built up to the end of World War 2, 12 of which were manufactured before 1930!

The event boasts an incredible array of marques including Porsche, Bentley, Chevrolet (there are 20 taking the start line), Volvo (winner of the event for the past two editions), and of course those everpresent Fords. All competing vehicles in this marathon event slot into one of four categories, have been in production between 1920 through to 1975, and must be presented “period correct” in order to take the start line. For the 2023 edition, 5 Kiwi crews have made the incredible commitment to tackle this beast with a trio of Escorts, a Mercedes, and even a Bristol. ALBS are fortunate enough to be given a peek at what it takes to compete in the biggest and baddest of them all… the Peking to Paris Marathon Rally. The planning, preparation, cost, and sheer magnitude of what it takes to even attempt this behemoth would unsurprisingly be enough to deter most people. For the Waikato duo of Brent Taylor and Chris Ramsay, the opportunity to do this event was simply too good to pass up. “I got a phone call from Brent one night, pretty much out of the blue. He’s always been a big fan of marathon rallies and he just sort of threw it out there and asked if I’d be keen to do it” explains Ramsay. “I didn’t even really hesitate… I mean how many times in your life do you get this opportunity? I was definitely in… In hindsight, there was never really any doubt at all.”

INTERNATIONAL Once agreeing to do this epic rally together, the discussion then moved on to what they would use as a vehicle. They considered a number of options but ultimately this turned out to be a relatively easy choice and they went about purchasing a MK1 Escort that had been used previously on Targa events here in NZ. As soon as they took possession of the car, they immediately began the task of stripping it back to nothing more than a bare shell to start the arduous task of a complete ground-up rebuild to ensure that the car would have what it takes to be able to make both the start and finish lines. The Escort has been aesthetically and meticulously prepared to be period correct (as required) including the external roll cage running from the top of the windscreen forward to the strut towers a-la Safari spec. Each two-man team in the event are required to undertake their own servicing throughout the entire rally which logistically creates its own set of challenges.

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On top of his Engineering business and the Escort build, Ramsay also has son Lukas competing in the 2022 NZ Rally Championship in his new Fiesta R2 to assist. Add to that his own events both inside and outside the NZRC with Brent Taylor in their Toyota GT86, and then there’s also his own rally car which is being rebuilt to allow Chris to get back in the drivers seat. That there’s a story in itself as it’ll be one of the hottest Corolla’s in the country when complete! In Part two of our Peking to Paris special, we’ll be catching up with the team as the cars are completed and ready to send overseas. A massive thank you goes out to Rambo and Brent for allowing us this special insight. ■

With Ramsay taking on the responsibility of car preparation, the word “shortcut” simply doesn’t exist. There is literally zero room for vulnerabilities as the vehicles will be tested both mechanically and electrically to level that most of us will struggle to ever comprehend. Joining Taylor and Ramsay in another MK1 Escort are the pairing of Shane Murland and Co-driver John Benton. The four have come together with a plan that each car carry different spares throughout the event whilst anything that can’t be taken inside the cars will be put onto the event’s spares truck that follows competitors for the duration. “It actually works out quite good as we each have different strengths. Shane and I are both good mechanically where Brent and John are really strong with logistics, so we’re definitely hoping that will help us as a team” explains Ramsay. Whilst the budget is nothing short of eye-watering, there is something undeniably special about the Peking to Paris Rally as an event. For Taylor and Ramsay it was a challenge that was simply too tempting to ignore. Ramsay’s rally career extends back nearly 40 years and by his own admission, this is one seriously huge undertaking. With parts for the Escort arriving in from England and around the world on a seemingly never-ending basis, Ramsay looks to have his work cut out, even at this early stage. Bear in mind that he balances preparation for the Peking to Paris Rally with running his own busy Engineering business! When most of us are putting down our tools and getting ready to sign off for the day, Ramsay puts on his “other” hat, takes a deep breath, and goes to work for the night on the Escort. “Covid has really changed things with regards to the event being pushed back to June 2023. In all honesty, for all the delays with shipping internationally and the effect that’s had on getting parts into NZ, I can’t see how we would’ve been able to do this without the extra time that the delayed start date has provided. We’re trying to do this as best we can, be as prepared as we possibly can be, and people need to remember that this isn’t a fulltime job for us. It’s taken the better part of six months to get some of the parts we need in from overseas and there have been more than a few times that it’s created a pretty decent headache” says Ramsay. For Ramsay, the biggest challenge to date has unquestionably been finding the time and availability to keep things moving forward. Despite the countless delays and frustrations, at the time of writing the Taylor/Ramsay Escort was little more than two weeks off being fired up for the first time, something everyone involved will no doubt be celebrating! 29

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to ick u in q

NEW ZEALAND

SEMOG CROSSCARS Hayden Paddon has built a strong partnership with the Semog factory in Portugal to be able to work together to create a platform to now import these into New Zealand. Semog Racing Products NZ, Jeff and Ollie Ward are the sole importer of Semog Crosscars and parts into NZ. Support to this Crosscar, customers and the future is: ■ Extensive stock and supply of spare parts and technicians available for support or maintenance ■ Part of National Hill Climb Championship ■ Schedule A Compliance for local club events ■ Driver appearances and when required, technical assistance from Hayden and Paddon Rallysport We have spec’d two versions of the Semog Crosscar to meet the NZ market – the Lite and Elite model. The Lite model is a great starter platform and ideal for young ones starting in motorsport. All features of the Elite model can be purchased/added separately at a later date. The Elite model is a fully kitted and more powerful kart suitable for all forms of motorsport – hillclimbs, speedway demonstrations, club events etc. The Elite model is also 50mm higher in the cockpit height and is available with a plus size seat. There is also an XL chassis which is +100mm.

Crosscars are an exciting and

very affordable motorsport platform that has been present in Europe for several years. These full roll cage, space framed, high revving pocket rockets are the essence of motorsport in its rawest form. These short wheel base, 14500rpm, space frame karts powered by Suzuki GSX-R750cc engines, are huge fun to drive but also cheap to maintain. The karts are 6 speed sequential, rear wheel drive on a live axle with two front hydraulic brakes and full pedal box. Excellent performance on tarmac and gravel with the one class tyre. There are plenty of videos on the internet for viewing.

EVENTS We have been working with Motorsport NZ to ensure that the Semog Crosscars will be accepted in club events such as hillclimbs and autocrosses. We are also exploring options to work with Speedway NZ and Offroad NZ which will be continued to be developed. You will be able to use your Crosscar in such events as: ■ MSNZ Car club events – hillclimbs, autocrosses ■ Speedway demonstration events ■ General paddock/private road use (at your own discretion) ■ Clubsport organised Hill Climb Championship summer of 2021/2022 (likely to be 3-4 events) ■ Future FIA Driver Programmes

SEMOG CROSSCAR SPECS SEMOG Lite This is the entry level Crosscar and doesn’t include any of the extras on the Elite model. Good for shorter events, autocrosses or speedway. All parts can be updated to Elite version at a later date if chosen.

Overview of specs Engine:

GSXR 600cc (rebuilt, older model)

Transmission: 6 speed sequential, Hydraulic clutch, but no reverse gear. Suspension:

Basic 1 way Suspension (no adjustment)

Brakes:

Small hydraulic front brakes

Interior:

Carbon dash, small gear number, Racetech seat, belts and steering wheel, fire extinguisher

Fuel:

Standard fuel tank and system

Tyres:

Goldspeed tyres

Other:

Lithium battery

PRICE:

$30,000 + GST (Subject to cost increases and specs requested)

SEMOG Elite and SEMOG Elite +100mm height This model we have spec’d highly to be able to compete in most forms of NZ motorsport, particularly around hillclimbs and longer events. Slightly bigger chassis and more powerful.

Overview of specs: Engine:

GSXR 750cc (rebuilt and newer model), bigger radiator and fan

Transmission: 6 speed sequential, Hydraulic clutch, electric reverse gear. Suspension:

EXT 2 way adjustable dampers – top spec.

Brakes:

Uprated front hydraulic brakes, brake bias valve, hydraulic handbrake

Interior:

Carbon dash, large gear number, Racetech seat, belts and steering wheel, fire extinguisher

Fuel:

Larger fuel tank with ATL fuel fittings and braided hoses

Tyres:

Medium compound Goldspeed tyres, beadlocks

Other:

50mm higher chassis or +100mm (more cockpit space), mudguard kit, Lithium battery

PRICE:

$39,000 + GST (Subject to cost increases and specs requested)

All Crosscars will be supplied in base white colour, and standard colour seat/belts. There is an option on a standard or plus size seat. Payment plan - To be agreed upon.

Semog Racing Products NZ

NEW ZEALAND

Omahi St, Waikanae 5036 Mobile: 021738000 Email: jeff@nzrd.co.nz

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BEN NEVIS GOLDEN 1200

Paddon fastest to Golden 1200 Hillclimb title for second time ARTICLE BY KATE GORDON-SMITH

In the spectacular Central Otago high country above Bannockburn this weekend, Kiwi rally star Hayden Paddon raced to his second Ben Nevis Station Golden 1200 Hillclimb title. Driving the Paddon Rallysport-run Hyundai i20 AP4 car, Paddon delivered a superb final run of 2m 6.1s, taking four seconds off his best time over the same stretch of road at the inaugural Golden 1200 in 2020. When added yesterday’s final run time, Paddon’s combined time of 4m 14.3s earned him the hillclimb victory. Taking the other two top podium positions for the weekend were two competitors driving nimble, high-powered Semog Crosscars – Christchurch’s Matt Penrose and Cromwell’s Ari Pettigrew. Paddon said: “I had six clean runs across the two days and was able to take quite a bit of time off our best time from two years ago. I was pleased to put together a nice, clean run on the last one. I’m really happy for the team and big thanks to them for a car that ran faultlessly all weekend.” Paddon and his Paddon Rallysport staff play a big role in running and promoting the event which was able to run in MotorSport New Zealand’s back in motion guidelines during these covid-impacted times with competitors required to stay in groups of limited numbers and no spectators. Paddon paid credit to Roger Laird and other members of the Eastern Southland Car Club for the on-the-ground event organisation which attracted more than 70 competitors to line up for the unique hillclimb.

PHOTO BY GEOFF RIDDER

“The event went well,” he added, “and I think everyone enjoyed the weekend. Conditions got a little bit rough as the gravel got swept off the road, exposing some bedrock in the latter runs. It was both trickier and interesting to get a clean run as the car was reacting differently each run, so I had to adapt. “Many people helped put the event together and it’s been cool to see everyone work together to make a motorsport event happen when it is easy to cancel or postpone events in this climate. Everyone was motivated to see the event happen and competitors got behind us too. This year’s event certainly gives us a good platform to make the Golden 1200 a much bigger spectator event in 2024. The livestream was great and gives us more to build on for the next event in 2024.” Second placed Penrose was happy to get a combined time to finish ahead of Pettigrew and win the Crosscar class. “I just wanted to get a good solid run in for the last one. Ari’s been very fast all weekend. Overall it’s been an awesome weekend and it’s an awesome event.” Third placed Pettigrew, who put in a blistering final run with a time of 2m 16s, says the road is fun and challenging in a Crosscar. “It was great to get a good run in the last one. Every time you run the road’s different and it’s been great to get in the Crosscar between rally seasons. I’m looking forward to Rally Otago now.”

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The two days of great hillclimb action have been enjoyed by thousands of motorsport fans around New Zealand and the world thanks to livestreaming from the event. This year, the hillclimb course has been shortened to 3.6km, rather than the original 6km course first run in 2020. The shortened course starts at the same place on Ben Nevis Station and includes 22 challenging corners as the road rises from the Nevis Valley towards Bannockburn. The decision to shorten the course this year means competitors have less time to wait between the six runs scheduled across two days. The schedule for Sunday saw 68 competitors line up for the fourth run of six timed runs over the weekend. Sadly Superquad star Ian Ffitch wouldn’t return to the competition due to a blown engine.

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Run five took place late Sunday morning with Paddon and Penrose topping the charts with times of 2m 8.4s and 2m 17.19s respectively. One of yesterday’s frontrunners, Christchurch’s Michael Tall jumped back into contention for a podium placing with a time of 2m 20.5s in his Class 1 Mitsubishi Mirage. Ashburton’s David Quantock was fourth fastest on this run with a time of 2m 21.0s in his Class 1 Skoda AP4, ahead of Mike Wellington with a 2m 21.5s. With Paddon and Pettigrew topping the timecharts for the sixth and final run, Penrose was third quickest that time with a 2m 17s, Quantock was again fourth with his best time of 2m 18.9s and Wellington took the fifth quickest time with 2m 19s. ■

Conditions were fine, but very windy in the Nevis valley. Not many competitors set faster times than their third run on Saturday, presumably saving their best efforts for the all-important sixth and final run later in the afternoon. The top five timed runs came from Cromwell’s Hayden Paddon in the Hyundai i20 AP4 with a 2m 9.1s, Christchurch’s Matt Penrose in a Semog Crosscar with a 2m 19.9s, Cromwell’s Ari Pettigrew in another Semog Crosscar with 2m 22.8s, with Dunedin’s Mike Wellington in his Class 1 Mitsubishi Lancer and motorcycle class leader Andrew Rudd on a Gas Gas MC450 setting the same time of 2m 24.0s.

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BEN NEVIS GOLDEN 1200 PHOTOS BY GEOFF RIDDER

Stu Weeber

Jeff Ward

Ian Newman

Sean Haggarty

David Quantock

Blair Bartels and Dale Budge 34

Winner Hayden Paddon

BEN NEVIS GOLDEN 1200

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John Spencer

Anthony TeTau

The following competitors earned class-winner honours. Their final time combines their times from the third and sixth runs. Class 1 Class 2 Class 3 Class 4 Class 5 Class 6 Class 7 Class 8 Class 9 Class 10 Class 11

Unlimited 4WD – Hayden Paddon, Cromwell, Hyundai i20 AP4 – 4m 14.3s, 1st overall Rally 4WD – John Spencer, Mitsubishi Lancer Evo7 – 4m 48.1s, 12th overall Club 4WD – Terrie Taylor, Subaru Impreza – 5m 25.8s, 45th overall Unlimited 2WD 2301cc and over – Chris Hey, Toyota MR2 – 5m 9.2s, 34th overall 2WD 1601-2300cc – no entries 2WD 0-1600cc – Ian Warren, Nissan Pulsar – 5m 13.9s, 37th overall Classic Rally 2WD pre-1986 – Jeff Judd, Christchurch, Ford Escort – 5m 12.5s, 36th overall Classic Rally 4WD pre-1996 – Stu Weeber, Subaru 555, Christchurch – 4m 58.2s, 27th overall Quads – Mark Willis, Honda TRX700 – 5m 20.0s Crosscars – Matt Penrose, Christchurch, Semog Crosscar – 4m 36.2s, 2nd overall Note: this was potentially the largest field of Crosscars at a New Zealand to date with 16 entries. Motorcycles – Andrew Rudd, Gas Gas MC450 – 4m 53.9s, 18th overall 35

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BEN NEVIS GOLDEN 1200 PHOTOS BY BECKY LADBROOK

Winner Hayden Paddon

Tracy Michelle and Steve Russell

Rhys Gould

Jeff Judd

BEN NEVIS GOLDEN 1200

Stunning course

David Quantock

Duncan McCrostie

Spectating spots

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Line up

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Top of the South Rally Sprint Series 2021

Winner Jason Clarke

ARTICLE BY THE SOUTHERN CORRESPONDENT One of the Mainland’s premier motorsport events has to be the Top of the South Rally Sprint series. Comprising of three absolutely exceptional “rally” roads, run in conjunction with the Nelson, Blenheim and Westland Car Clubs, the Top of the South Rally Sprint series may perhaps foreshadow a taste of “clubmans” type Rallying as we may come to know it in the future. And why not ?? In and out tests on the same road, or a series of roads linked in a loop with little or no touring between stages, have been used for some time, and even in the NZRC the format for Coromandel was several stages used more than once. But I digress…… With the first two rounds already decided, Nelson’s – Phil Fiddymont – Tyreworld Rally sprint over the Dovedale hill run in both directions, and the infamous Taylors Pass run by the Marlborough Car Club out of Blenheim, the show down was brought to the Hampden Hotel – Matakitaki Road, Murchison Rally sprint to be conducted this time by the Westland Car Club. And apart from the top guns, namely Jason and Tracey Clark in there formidable Evo 5, you could have thrown a blanket over the rest of the classes for final positions. An interesting situation was developing with the Ford Escort boys, Graham Ferguson, Matthew Linning, Neville Kidd, the points were so close that the final placings were far from certain. Ashton Wood in the iconic IF780 who was also very much part of the earlier proceedings was sadly a last minute withdrawal. The notoriety and appeal of the Top of the South Rally Sprint Series was not lost on many who travelled up from further afar (Christchurch) to participate in the series. No I’m not going to mention the bloody “ C “ word – nor the effect it was having on reducing the amount of events around New Zealand, suffice to say that us “Mainlanders” had enjoyed a majority of crème motorsport events for well over the past 100 days. Our fellow competitors locked down in Stalag Auckland were at the start a far too easy target to give a good ribbing, which as time went on, became rather boring and we actually started to feel sorry for them. Poor bastard’s. 38

PHOTOS BY CRAIG MCINTOSH One Canterbury farmer, dragged his Evo 10 up to all three events, and Wayne Muckle was immediately the cat that got in with the pigeons separating the leading cars for the first two rounds. His luck however was double sided with this third round, lucky in that he did complete a full timed run in and out, then came to a sudden halt on the first repeat because of a self-promoted “mechanical” failure, the truth being he just happened to have gone a bit wide and hit a rock which caused the bottom steering arm to break…….. !!!. Having parked his car out of harm’s way after the incident, he then vigorously proceeded to encourage the following competitors with generous displays of the rear of his lower anatomy – until sighted by a filming drone…….

Wayne Muckle

The Matakitaki Road is a mix of loose metal surfaces and technical challenges over approx. 8 km’s. It starts out slightly up hill with numerous open corners of 4’s and 5’s in tightness, then the surface changes to a white limestone base the region is famous for (cement), then into a tighter section of 3’s and 4’s, flowing out from that down into the valley following the river into the only cautioned area, along a tighter section of a track along a rock face, and then back out onto a hard packed standard river rock base out onto straights of between 180 – 450 meters separated only by a few 6’s and 7’s, the last section is therefore “fast”. The countryside is breathtakingly beautiful.

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Last year the weather was dry and hot. This year it was wet with temperatures in the early 20’s. Rain had been falling in the area for three days prior to the event, and Saturday saw more light showers – but mainly scattered patches of fine drizzle. The road surprisingly didn’t cut up too bad, and still retained a fair amount of grip in places. The limestone sections were a little “slippy”. The difficulty due to the colder temperatures and the rain, was getting tyres to proper operating temperatures where they would work. Tyre pressures was therefore it seemed the main topic of the day, apart from the standard three “ R “ s, rugby, racing (Bathurst) and – um - rhubarb.

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Trueno only managed to just pull out from close rival Adrian Leitch with a 9.46.38 in 17th, with the affable last minute Leitch coming in at 18th with 9.51.59. A great drive considering Adrian’s health issues which required him to sit on a round cushion throughout the event. Adrian’s car being the ex Amy Hudson’s Corolla she had a mishap with during Otago earlier this year. Repaired by those capable boys at AllTrax in Nelson using a tractor and a selection of hammers, it really is a credit to them it came out of the box in full song from the get go. 19th was Roy Large in his RX8 which is still showing great progress with a 9.55.49.

Jason and Tracey Clark started the ball rolling, and with the absence of Richard Bateman to also stir the pot, Team Clark had to leave their best run till the last timed run both ways with a 8.13.03 against an outstanding drive by Michael Tall of 8.15.52 in the flying diamond. Third was Garet Thomas also of Christchurch with a 8.17.19, 4th overall was the first of the two wheel drives, West coaster Graham Ferguson in his Escort with an incredible 8.36.31. David Gee was next with 8.47.64 in his Subaru, and then the Asburton farmer, Wayne Muckle in sixth spot with 8.49.58 in his Evo 10. Dave Ollis was next in his Subaru at 7th with 8.51.52. The fight of the event was predicted to be between Carl Celeste of Christchurch in his highly modified Corolla 1600 Levin rocket against this regions next pick of the crop, young gun Liam Gee from Blenheim. Before the event, Liam had been performing well above his pay grade, and was looking smooth and consistent with great results in the two earlier rounds, and particularly his earlier remarkable overall result at Taylors Pass. At this event however, Celeste was to be the victor finishing 8th overall with an 8.58.14 against Liam Gee of 9.13.98 in 9th place. Following the Corolla battle was Willy Hawes of Christchurch in his Corolla finishing 10th at 9.24.63.

Roy Large

20th was 0 – 1300cc class leader for this event being the rapid Suzuki powered four door Starlet of Peter Murch recording a 9.55.82. Chris Young in his Subaru Legacy was next at 21st with a time of 10.02.15. Hokitika pilot James Stewart in his Impreza was next at 22nd with 10.10.98. 23rd was the Nelson duo of Tyler Vincent and partner Ashleigh navigating in their distinctive poo coloured Honda CRX at 10.15.35. Peter and son Hugo Bowden was 24th in the immaculate “yellow” Mk2 Escort, with a time of 10.31.71. Driveshaft issues side lined them later in the day, but sources say plans and prep for a full assault on the Mainland Series by Peter is quite on the cards with this car next year. 25th was the 0 – 1300cc Mainland Series winning Vitz with a time of 10.45.00, not in the hands of the world’s fastest Maori – Marty Roestenburg (due to that C word and being locked down in Auckland), but the apprentice driver, car builder, owner, team boss, that Te Maori would normally chauffeur around.

Karl Celeste

Returned compatriot Matthew Linning now firmly domiciled in Blenheim in his beautiful black Mk2 Escort supported by the Owen Brothers contingent (and fed and watered by Pam) led the charge with a 9.30.71 in 11th, with Nelson’s own Escort pilot Neville Kidd just being pipped at 9.31.77 in 12th, and Blenheim’s flying master chef Tane Malcolm in his Subaru clicking the clock at 9.33.28 at 13th. Jason McConnell of Christchurch was 14th in his Ford Fiesta at 9.37.62, with Richmond’s Tyreworld operator (and first round sponsor) Daryl Smith with his daughter navigating finished 15th with 9.38.26. Vahur Ots had an interesting day, with oil leak issues, and a small fire, only managed to record one timed run each way but still came in 16th at 9.42.80. Dean Schroder from Takaka in his Corolla

Pat Norris

26th was Alan Kermeen in his virtually standard Mitsubishi Mirage with a time of 10.48.25. 27th was Paul Roughan who had the mixed misfortunes of engine issues in his very rapid 0 – 1300cc Starlet, but still managed a 39

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recorded time both ways of 10.56.18. The engine threw a fan belt which in turn knocked out the crank sensor. Lucky for him to have timed runs both ways gave Paul the 0 – 1300cc series win overall. 2nd in the series over all was Pat Norris in the Vitz, and 3rd in the series was the historic Citroen of the Nelson European Specialists entry with David (DJ) Musk at the helm with brother Ben navigating, who recorded 29th overall for the day with a combined time of 11.05.88. The final standings overall as determined for the Top of the South Rally Sprint series 2021: Junior driver: Liam Gee. Junior co – driver : Becky Gee. 1st overall, Jason Clark, 2nd overall Wayne Muckle 3rd overall Dave Gee. Class A, Paul Roughan 1st, Pat Norris 2nd, David (DJ) Musk 3rd. Class B. Liam Gee 1st, Dean Schroder 2nd, Allan Kermeen 3rd. Class C, Matthew Linning 1st, Neville Kidd 2nd, Class D, Tane Malcolm 1st, Class E, Daryl Smith. People ask, how the hell do these events ever happen in these quiet little backwaters in the jewel of NZ, NZ’s rallying and motorsport’s oasis ??. The answer simply put is need versus demand. That means that these areas (places like Murchison and Reefton) attract competitors for a commercial advantage. They expect to generate income and gain favourable exposure into the future from the experience. Sadly, in some other areas in the past that has not occurred with the expected result that

Paul Roughan

our sport has lost out on that areas facilities previously on offer, including the hospitality and good will of not only commercial establishments, but also residents. Murchison is (and along with Reefton) a genuine jewel in NZ’s crown, with both places having re branded themselves over the past few years and those mainly self-promoted (and therefore self funded) efforts are certainly starting to pay off. These areas are unique in today’s commercial landscape in that they are actually out there doing something positive to ensure their longevity. These are genuine people that have hearts as big as Texas. They are establishments and communities that we as motorsport people must protect to ensure our own motorsport ambitions also have a future. The principle sponsor for this event was the Hampden Hotel. Situated in the main street of Murchison the pub and it’s accommodation are synonymous with the history of the area. The hospitality of the land lady is legendary. The after event functions are off the charts. It’s what happens when like-minded people who are comfortable with each other throw all inhibitions out the window and are just there to enjoy themselves and have good old fashioned “clean” fun. Typically the after event functions rarely end before three (am), and the experiences are ones that last a life time. Drinking from a red band gum boot to some ones slipper, to shot races licked off the table - it’s all been done before. One of the main attractions to the pub is the food. Murchison like Reefton has perhaps some of this country’s finest restaurants and eateries. And that’s not a hollow statement, lamb shanks in Murchison are shanks with a big S. That means two…. Mouth - watering, succulent, decadent, old style country fare, we now schedule a stop at the pub whenever travels take us through the area.

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Murchison has everything for the thrill seeker from white water rafting, through to fly fishing. St Arnaud is only about ½ an hour away, and there is a pristine natural fresh water lake filled with trout, plus the Rainbow sky field. Accommodation in Murchison has recently been given a huge boost with the opening of the new Grand Suites Motel, plus there is more accommodation available than one would think at first sight. One of the picks would have to be the Kiwi Park Motel and camping ground, this facility is world class, set in beautiful grounds the motel units are just about on the river. Beautiful is an understatement. So come on you motorsport people, if you want the ultimate experience, mark Murchison and Reefton on your “to visit and explore” list. You won’t be disappointed. Just don’t forget to pack your Dimp insect repellent, and that’s a tip from the wise. ■

James Steward

DJ Musk

Jason McConnell

Adrian Leitch

Garet Thomas

Cean Schroder

Peter Murch

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CLUB EVENTS

The other side - Lawrence Rally PHOTO BY BECKY LADBROOK

ARTICLE BY BRETT MADDREN So after two years out of the drivers seat and spending that time navigating for Tim Smith mostly but also Deb Kibble and David Ralph, I had gotten my own Starlet ready to rally. Lawrence Rally was first up, I had done this event as a driver in 2018 being my first ever blind rally that side of the car. The roads here are fast and cresty but quite wide as well so if you’re familiar you can really commit. Rally Otago was run here this year on parts of some of the stages but in different directions and as I was reading notes remembering nothing of the roads, in fact the only familiar parts were the touring. Ben Trevelyan was navigating for me today his first time to this event. SS1 Corkscrew was a get my eye In and learn to trust the brakes again, we did OK finishing with a time only .1 of a second off Deb and Heather and being competitive with Gavin Read in our class. But whilst that was what we achieved Ari Pettigrew and Steven Thompson had substantially gapped us already so we were fighting for 3rd in class today haha. SS2 Greenfield I just never got to grips with I found the road hard to read, I braked too early didn’t commit to much and drove safe……meaning we got spanked!! Andrew Sim in his bmw had overtaken us and we dropped to 5th in class. Off to service where all we did was check tyre pressures, gotta love Starlets! SS3 Cockleshell this is a road that I rate as in my top 3 roads I’ve ever competed on both here and Australia. It is a real drivers stage lots of corners some crests and quite readable an absolute blast to do. We did lots better Ben calling the right-handers perfectly and I committed to all the crests. Alas Gavin Read had put more time between us as we did to Andrew Sim so whilst back in 4th in class we were now 40 odd seconds behind Read with only 2 stages and 30kms to go. 42

SS4 Mitchells is fast and open in places me using 5th gear alot I remember thinking that the little green car was not exactly bolting along but just putting that down to me. We got to the end feeling quite comfortable and grins on our faces. We held onto 4th but only just, Sim now only 3.6 seconds behind us and holding 29th overall. Only one tank slapping moment on a quick downhill and getting a price check from Ben with a “gather it up mate” through the intercom as the road went right with us heading left and nowhere near anything like an apex. SS5 Waipori Road is another really enjoyable public road that rewards commitment, Tim Smith proving this with a 3rd outright time in his 1600 starlet …. Just WOW!! Sitting on the start line I joked to Ben that we only had to make up 3 minutes 30 to catch Ari for the win, now I apologise to Ari for putting the mockers on him as about 2/3rds of the way through we past him stuck on the edge of a very steep drop. Steven Thompson also had issues dropping alot of time almost 4 minutes. We had no issues enjoyed ourselves and Ben finishing his first attempt at Lawrence Rally both with big smiles from the day. Thompson had so much of a lead on us he still hung on to 2nd in class beating us by 16 seconds with us inheriting 3rd. Just shows you how quick both Thompson and Pettigrew are ,they had a great battle all day. Another great club rally done with no damage, same set of tyres and chewing not even 25 litres of fuel. Fantastic. I left there thinking that the little green car needs some more mods haha. Next event Rankleburn another awesome club rally that is so inexpensive to do. Cheers Bretto

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PHOTO BY GRAEME FRASER 43

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The other side - RANKLEBURN RALLY

ARTICLE BY BRETT MADDREN So two weeks later we were off to Rankleburn Rally just out of Gore run by the Eastern Southland Car Club members. This is the best bang for your buck rallying I’ve ever done, Roger Laird and crew are so helpful a real lovely bunch of people. They restore your faith in humanity in these times we’re living through right now, nothing is a problem to them.

“ PUT THIS EVENT ON YOUR TO DO LIST! ” In my pre-rally prep I found that the little green car had too much toe out on the front wheels 30mm’s too much to be exact!! Poor Starlet was a grader at Lawrence so that will teach me for using my memory instead of recording works done thinking I had already done an alignment haha. Tim Smith had agreed to hop in the silly seat and in fact Tim and I did this event together the two years prior. Nothing like trying to scare each other seeing who can call the braking point the latest some nervous giggles had added to the day. I respect Tim and what he does in a rally car and he dished out advice. He felt to go faster I needed more mid corner speed, a work in progress for me. At drivers briefing Roger being COC had made the decision because of the size of the field and no rain with very dry conditions to give everyone 2 minute start gaps, fantastic call on his part with all of the four stages roughly 20kgs long,MINT. SS1 Greyburn was a 200 meter tour from service and with rain forecast I had put a 175 narrow tyre on thinking it might be a bit damp. Man was I wrong! The car felt great Tim calling the righthanders we were on it from the start and with recent seat time I let the car slide more than I normally would. 44

PHOTOS BY STEVE RUSSELL / TRACY MICHELLE No real moments just grins at the finish line we were 3rd in our class and 12th overall but Thomo in his escort and Charlie Evans RX7 had already put a minute on us. What the hell do I have to do and how does anyone drive that fast? Nothing money and some talent won’t fix I’m sure. I felt that the front tyres didn’t work that well so bolted on the 185’s to try for more grip and left the pressures slightly higher so as not to get a puncture with patches of gnarly rocks. SS2 Lands End. The wider tyres felt better but in saying that I was slower so maybe that’s why comfortable was how I would describe the stage. Don’t get me wrong we hit 165kph a few times but Tim let me know when I didn’t commit, stop start was his description of my driving. Steve Thompson had a bent driveshaft in his escort so withdrew. I have been at the same events as Thomo over the last year and he needs some luck for Christmas, he’s a great competitor and lightning fast with great enthusiasm but shit he needs a break with this car and I hope he gets it next season. Brendon Mitchell took 2 seconds out of us and was now just over 1 second in front so we are 2nd and 3rd in class respectively. We all waited at an old skid site while every competitor got there and the view was amazing! We had climbed to a peak in the forest to this clearing over looking not only the forest but the valley looking north, so cool. SS3 was a 30 meter glide to the start line haha. Roger had said at the briefing that if you don’t have a huge smile after this one then rallying is not for you haha. HE WAS NOT WRONG! I personally rate Kandanga stage in the Imbil state forest in Queensland as my favourite forestry stage but now it has a rival this stage was nothing short of awesome.

CLUB EVENTS

I had dropped the tyre pressures down a little and Tim pushed me to carry more mid corner speed. We got to the end fizzing and 3rd quickest 2WD with David Ralph pushing us hard in his Toyota LST only half’s second behind. Mitchell in his Datsun had been 8 seconds quicker than us and Evans put 30 seconds on the class C cars to be now 4th outright with a great drive. Another 200m tour into service….. I love this ! SS4 Kennedy was going to have to be a big push, we needed 9 seconds to catch Mitchell. I missed the start slightly then missed 2nd gear so had the red mist on by corner two. Then the stage turned right off the main road about 500 odd meters into a short flat left then immediately a right-hander that you couldn’t see the exit of. We came in hot I gave the entry a slightly wider line to be able to slide the rear around and turn into the apex once it was visible….. well that was the plan! Where I had placed the back end the road was off camber and round it came sending the front towards the bank too quick to be able to catch it. I hooked reverse pretty quickly we had not touched any scenery so got away with it I thought, I looked at the rev counter and in my haste thought the engine had stalled. So I hit the key which then actually stalled the engine! But second attempt on the key it fired and we backed up enough to get the front round pointing the right direction. This all feels like an hour but once I compared in-car with somebody else’s we were only stationary for 8 seconds plus the momentum to the next corner. Tim like any good Nav gave me some calming words of encouragement so I drove like a man possessed for the next 19 kms! I can say hand on heart I haven’t driven that hard ever and got to the flying finish thinking, well gave it my all. Mitchell too had driven a blinder beating Evans who had spun in the same place as us but looking at video he still won it fair and square. But we were still 3rd in class so extremely happy and had dropped 2 spots overall showing how close everyone was over the whole field.

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What a great day. It was still only around 4pm so we loaded up and headed back to Croydon lodge for prize giving and a well earned beer. You would think that was enough action for the day wouldn’t you…… On the way back the tow wagon got a puncture on the right rear wheel then once out onto the tar seal road the left rear delaminated and now with no spare and 40 odd kms to get to Gore. It was a very nervous drive with a flapping tyre and very slow but eventually we made it back PHEW. I have to thank Roger once again and Dougy (Andrew Graves) who helped me find someone to sell me and fit two new tyres Sunday morning in Gore…. Legends! The commodore had developed a reasonable oil leak from the front of the engine so was getting a top up every hour of about 2 ltrs! Sorry to any motorbike riders but we had to get home to Temuka. Repco being open Sundays meant I could buy more oil on the trip back as we went but at Waimate having cycled through 12 ltrs I had to tip in my synthetic race oil and that made me cringe and whinge! Anyway we made it back commy engine still intact no run bearings or failed conrods. A Huge Thanks to my Wife Michelle for being so supportive in my rallying Geraldine Cheese, Jack at MA Media, Richard at Hunters View and everyone else who helps in any way big or small. Cheers Bretto

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Jack’s Ridge Hillclimb South Auckland Car Club

Winner Jack Hawkeswood

PHOTO GALLERY BY GEOFF RIDDER

Warwick Redfern

Dale Crossley

Gary Boyd / Noel Moloney

Malcolm McLeod / Warwick Redfern

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Malcolm McLeod

Keith Edwards

Kingsley Jones

Tyson Jemmett

Chris Burke

Rodney James

Troy Smith

McCrae Sloper

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Top of the South

0 - 1300cc Motorsport Challenge ARTICLE BY THE SOUTHERN CORRESPONDENT

Event Area:

Top of the South meaning those motorsport clubs in the areas of Greymouth (Westland Car Club), Nelson (Nelson Car Club), and Blenheim (Marlborough Car Club), any member of those clubs are eligible to join.

Event Sponsorship Cash Rewards.

A cash sponsorship payment per each qualifying event (note event eligibility criteria below) of 1st place, $50, 2nd place, $30, 3rd place $20, 4th place $10. Cash payments will be direct credited to that competitor’s bank account within seven days of the publishing of that events final results by that Club.

Additional Sponsorship Prizes, / Product / Services: Additional sponsor prizes or offers of services will be provided throughout the competition period..

Purpose of Challenge:

To increase the 0 – 1300cc Class “ A “ participation and to encourage new member’s to the sport and MNZ Clubs in a low cost competitive motorsport class with the emphasis on “fun”.

Club Sanction:

This competition is privately and independently run outside of any club sanction.

Eligible Period:

1st January 2022 to 16th December 2022. This competition is being trialled for the first 12 months, and depending on results, the competition may be extended for a further twelve months.

PHOTOS BY CRAIG MCINTOSH

Vehicle Class:

Strictly 0 – 1300 cc, (that is standard production naturally aspirated cars with an engine cubic capacity rating of less than 1300 cc) and which in all respects qualify under the “A “ 0 - 1300cc Class Category. That excludes open wheelers, and/or grass karts, cross karts, 2 or 3 wheelers etc.

Open to:

Any Motorsport New Zealand Affiliated club member who may compete in the designated area. That means if a member who is registered with a MNZ Car club outside the area, say Christchurch, then that member may still compete in the Challenge at say Reefton and be included in the Challenge results and prize payments for that event subject to that member having registered with the Challenge 2 weeks prior to that event.

Marketing Material and Competitor Contact details: The details of those competitors entered will be held by the organisers for contact and marketing purpose’s, however any competitor can decline receiving any marketing material from the sponsors. Sponsors advertising (stickers / if supplied) must be attached to that competitors vehicle for the duration of the competition period.

Annual Entry:

Each competitor may contact by email the organiser at pat@nmsnz.co.nz for an application and entry form, and each competitor is required to complete and sign by return the application and entry form and pay a $20.00 annual joining fee preferably paid by direct credit to the holding bank account NMSNZ Ltd 03 1709 0104776 – 00 noting their name with the deposit. All applications to join must be received at least 2 week’s prior to any competition entered.

CLUB EVENTS Event Eligibility Criteria:

Events are determined as any motorsport club event, ie, hill climbs, street race, bent sprints, rally sprints, gymkhana’s, through to show and shine / concourse type events; etc where the club runs a 0 – 1300cc class in that event. Even if that entrant is the only person registered in the 1300cc Challenge, they are still eligible to the prize fund on the basis of their overall result. For example, if that person is the only one registered in the 0 – 1300cc Challenge, and they finish 2nd in class, they are eligible for the second place cash prize of $30.

Mainland Rally Championship:

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Arbitration:

Any decision will be at the sole discretion of the organisers / sponsor’s. Present Principal Sponsors: MTF Finance Nelson, Nelson Merchant Surplus Ltd, NMSNZ Ltd. 5th January 2022. P D Norris as Organiser. Contact : pat@nmsnz.co.nz

Any registered competitor in the 1300 Challenge who enter’s any round of the Mainland Rally Championship are also eligible for the rewards prize pool for that Mainland Rally event.

One entry per Driver to Competition:

Two (or more) registered competitors may share the same vehicle for any motorsport event so long as each has registered and paid the annual competition joining fees within 2 weeks of that event.

Scholarship:

At the end of the competition period, ie after the 16 December 2022, and before the 6th of January 2023, the organisers aim to provide a Scholarship using any funds remaining in the prize fund, or additional funding, or product, services, (or other – or a combination of any) provided by one or more of the supporting competition sponsors, and this Scholarship may be awarded to the one competitor considered by the organisers and sponsors who through the year has achieved the most outstanding results, or, the most outstanding commitment to furthering their motorsport career.

Building for the future for over 50 years

Ph: 07 575 9649 26 Poturi Street Tauriko Tauranga 3110

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CLUB EVENTS

thames valley car club

south road bent sprint

Winner - Mitch James

WORDS AND PHOTOS BY JASON BYRNE After a terrible year for events, Thames Valley Car Club ran a Bent Sprint on South Road, Mangatarata in December. I’m not sure of the reason for the low turn out (only 13 entries), but it might have been something to do with the fact that only road tyres were allowed. The reason for this is that the road (or the part being used) is no longer maintained by the Council and the event is there by the good will of the residents who are now responsible for the maintenance. Approx 1.5kms of road up to a cone, and then back down to the start/finish giving a 3km run. The day would have a recce run followed by 4 timed runs. It had rained most of the way to the event, but upon arrival it was just heavy cloud and damp air. The first casualty of the day was Mike Robson who during the recce run had to be towed back out. A really unfortunate start to the day. Before long run one was underway. Dennis Harvey was another casualty, going off the road during run one. Dennis was OK, but am unsure of the condition of his car.

Danny James 50

Mitch James was fast right from the get go, setting down a time of 3-08.09 with Graeme Bjerring at 3-10.25 and Russell Jenkins at 3-11.56. As the runs carried on, Mitch James continued to set a faster time each run, claiming the overall win. Graeme Bjerring didn’t start the last run and Russell Jenkins had his slowest run of the day. Just about all entries appeared to get faster each run and the road held up well. This was a great little event and ran well. I could see this being a nightmare to run with high numbers though due to lack of parking for competitors and time to run up and back if you had more then 18-20 cars would see the event struggling to finish within road closure times. Well done to Thames Valley for running this event. ■

CLUB EVENTS

RALLY

Don Brunt

Graeme Bjerring

Bruce Airey

Russell Jenkings

Mike Robson

Chris Burke

Dennis Harvey 51

RALLY

Allen Fretwell

Carlin Leong 52

CLUB EVENTS

RALLY

Kim Raggett

Murray Preston

Russell Jenkins 53

RALLY

CLUB EVENTS

SPEED WEEKEND Day One - Tarmac Hillclimb

Winner: Jeff Ward

ARTICLE BY NIKKI SIM

PHOTOS BY MATT SMITH

The iconic Annual Pukekohe Car Cub Speed Weekend was held on the 19th & 20th of Feb. Originally scheduled for Nov 20th & 21st 2021, the event was postponed due to Covid, organisers then pulling out the stops to ensure the event went ahead in early 2022. To the best of our knowledge, this event has been running for about 40 years and we didn’t want covid to ruin the show. Run under the Motorsport NZ Red status, with a focus on H&S, the pre-entry numbers flowing in early.

Edward Porter claimed 1st class A (Suzuki Swift GTI). Kevin Sanderson challenged class B to take out 1st with his Toyota Starlet. Class C was a tight battle, Colin Cole taking out the win (Ford Escort Mk2) over Matt Rolley. Class D honours went to Gary Bodley in his Honda CRX, Kingsley Jones secured 1st in class E in his Skoda Fabia notching a tad faster than David Proud and Jeff Ward took out class G with son Ollie dual driving and taking out 3rd (Semog Bravo).

Doubling as rounds of the MSNZ Goldstar Hillclimb Championships, the Port Waikato roads are gaining in popularity and earning a reputation amongst competitors. What feels like a world away, at only 100kms from inner Auckland, the countryside is picturesque and the roads are an absolute treat.

We were disappointed following the retirement of Paul Taylor and co-driver Bruce Annan after an off on the infamous uphill corner, the car leaving the road and coming to rest 100m down the hill. Both driver and co-driver were OK, Helga (BWM 535i), Paul’s trusty steed was not. Resident Terry, with a notably grunty land drover, assisted the recovery team to winch the vehicle back up the hill, the final ascent hooked onto a tractor to get up and over a fence.

Competitors had four runs to set their best time on Saturday’s tarmac hillclimb course at 3.8kms. The start line just past Port Waikato township, tight, twisty bush clad sections with plenty of camber change, blind corners and blind brows. Tight and open corners looking somewhat the same on approach. The road then opens up into sweeping tight corners and straights on the ascent. Drops to the left are daunting and the hairpin right at the top needs the right line to attack the downhill section to the finish. It’s a demanding and unforgiving hillclimb, competitors’ comment on the road being hard to remember. Jeff Ward and Ben Huband set the fastest times in cross cars in round 1, Thomas Good following closely in 3rd in his Ford Escort Mk 1. Round 3 saw the retirement of the dual driven cross car of Ben Hudand and Richard Yallop opening up a battle for 2nd and 3rd place. Run 3 seemingly the fastest for most, Jeff Ward pulling a best time of 2:07.06, followed by Kevin Sanderson at 2:09.19 and Gary Bodley at 2:10;53, followed by Ben Huband 2:10.83. 54

The road has improved, previous years had sections of repaired tarmac and corners that pulled out pebbly stuff from competitors cutting corners. Recent logging activity has compacted the roads, leaving fewer undulations and happy drivers. Aside from the off, Saturday was run to the clock and ending up being a great day. Day two competitors went to work with gravel setups to cars on site and all retired at a relatively respectable time. Some volunteers and competitors take advantage of on site accommodation to allow a convenient start to the next day. The Limestone Downs shearers quarters, some 10kms past the tarmac event, where the road turns to gravel and limestone is more noticeably prevalent. The humble abode is perched at the top of the hill at Limestone Downs and a stones throw from day two pits.

CLUB EVENTS

Richard Leggett

Lukas Ramsay

Kingsley Jones

Mike Torr

Tony Gallaghan

Gary Bodley

Nik Sadler

Paul Taylor

RALLY

SPEED WEEKEND

RALLY

CLUB EVENTS

SPEED WEEKEND Day Two - Gravel Hillclimb

Winner: Kingsley Jones

ARTICLE BY NIKKI SIM Day two weather forecast threatened rain and displayed anything but, it was hot and dusty. Competitors again lined up to enter pits post vaccine pass checks, set up and prepared for a good days gravel racing. With a large field of 42, recce commenced giving competitors a taster of the 4.2km course. Four runs for the fastest time, starting on the valley floor, the first couple of kms offer some serious speed, 5th gear stuff. A left hander from gravel to tarmac then over a narrow bridge tests the brave, back to gravel again and the ascent up the hill at speed leads to sets of beautifully cambered corners. On the ridgeline, the road continues to sweep and flow. The right-hand crest signals you’re at the top of the hill, then the sweeping right hander that follows pasts pits is great entertainment for those watching. The last corner is arguably the most technical of the course, a 3L long, a nightmare for the timing gear getting showered with rocks and dust and hard to nail at speed. Run one was the start of many small incidents taking time to clear and get going again. Mechanical issues and timing gear gremlins also contributed to timely stoppages throughout the day, challenging for competitors and organisers. Anthony Jones was the first to suffer mechanical issues not far from the start line resulting in an early retirement. Chris Burke also out after a small off leaving dual driver Carlin Leong unable to start. Milan Alex and co-driver had an ‘almost moment’ on the final corner with a lucky escape! Run two saw a vast improvement to run one times, Bryn Jones pulling a respectable 8th fastest overall behind Andrew Elder and Phil Macquarie, 8 seconds down from fastest Kingsley Jones. Four Jones’s competing, the fourth, a young Zeal Jones in his Subaru Impreza. 56

PHOTOS BY GEOFF RIDDER A light roll on run 3 saw Matt Jensen retire leaving Haydn Mackenzie surging to second in class E in his Toyota Yaris. After more stoppages and retirements in the searing heat, run four stared late and cemented the podium placings, Kingsley Jones on 2:38.24 (Skoda Fabia), Jeff Ward on 2:38.37 (Semog Bravo) and Haydn Mackenzie on 2:40.57 (Toyota Yaris). Mark Bradley stole the win for class A in his Datsun 1200 SSS, Thomas Good took honours in the class B field (Ford Escort Mk1), class C was taken by Bryn Jones in his Ford Fiesta ST. Class D was won by Rob Sutherland in his Opel Mantra, PCC’s Rodney Atchinson taking out 3rd. Class E was an impressive field, Kingsley Jones taking out the win and Jeff and Ollie Ward taking out respective 1st and 2nd in class G. Some drivers took the chance to give back over the weekend and take volunteers for a ride which is great sportsmanship. This was a challenging weekend with the extra checks and measures needing to be taken due to COVID. Club organisers in appreciation of the high level of adherence to the rules. It was great to see our volunteers, competitors, photographers, all those who helped out – our friends. It was a successful weekend of hillclimb climb racing, testament to the hard work put in by the organising committee and dedicated volunteers. Thanks to the residents of Port Waikato and Limestone Downs for allowing us to continue to use their spectacular roads. ■

CLUB EVENTS

Ollie and Jeff Ward

Haydn Mackenzie

Rodney James

David Hulbert

Dean Hinton

Mark Bradley

Phil Macquarie

Rob Sutherland

RALLY

SPEED WEEKEND

Road O ARTICLE BY ROB SCOTT

PHOTO BY GEOFF RIDDER

Every club has its local hero – the battler that excels at the highest levels despite modest budgets or backyard technology. They’re typically reserved, earnest blokes who are handy on the tools and rare talents behind the wheel. I am certainly not that man. However, for a generation of Hamilton Car Club members, Charlie Evans is their local hero. Charlie first became involved in rallying in the early 80s, helping a workmate servicing on John Carter’s Mk2 Escort. He soon purchased an RX2, built his own rollcage and entered the 1983 Cibie Lights rally. He still proudly recalls “I was seeded #114 out of 118, but finished 66th. We did the whole rally on one set of secondhand Ultragrips”

The RX2 did not survive an excursion into the trees on the aptly-named Rally of the Pines, so he moved the RX2 running gear into a lightly rolled 323 shell. It was a fairly useful clubman level car, and he enjoyed a good run contesting mainly Top Half events. But all the cool kids were running RX7s, so Charlie bought himself a damaged shell and moved the 323 gear into that. He also decided to treat himself to Bilsteins after years on Konis, and the transformation was immediate. He won on his first outing, at a Waiuku rallysprint on what he describes as “the cleanest run I’ve ever done.” It was an outstanding effort with the 12A, but it was clearly time for more power so Charlie converted the engine to a 13B.

dOpen

To continue the trend of immediate success with a new car, the pair won on debut at the 2005 Targa Tauranga, smoking a horde of Porsche drivers who had never heard of the gravel rasher before. They then enjoyed a dream run on the main Targa, battling with Will Selles (while McAndrew and Jimmy Richards cantered off into the distance) to eventually finish 4th. But while Charlie had by now established an enviable reputation as a driver, he was building a stronger following as somewhat of a gearbox guru.

PHOTO SUPPLIED

He continued to concentrate on regional level events, and with codriver Paul Pickering’s meticulous preparation, the RX7 enjoyed a level of reliability that always kept them near the podium. This included another career highlight – finishing 2nd overall in the 1992 Top Half series behind Barry Sexton. A brief taste of OE saw the car sold to Mark Kibble, but upon his return Gregg Taylor made an offer he couldn’t refuse. “Gregg offered me some spare parts to build another car – he had Kim Austin’s and Stuart Eyre’s cars, plus an LHD car with grass growing up through it.” The package included such riches as a decent gearbox, Nissan diff and factory brakes to which Charlie added a peripheral port engine. He entered the new car in the Taranaki rally, and finished 2nd behind Brian Green’s Evo4. “Steve Goodare had lent us some 225 SP82’s – Allport couldn’t believe how well we’d done on shitty old rubber.” This saw a brief love affair with tarmac, initially in the Miles McElwain AE86 then in a Series 3 RX7 he built to run with Andrew Hooker.

“While building my tarmac car I found it very hard to source a decent gearbox. I got some gears cut locally and built my own one. I probably built 40-50 boxes for customers over the next decade – which included combining parts from an RX7 and a Mazda ute gearbox resulting in a close ratio 6-speed. I used that box successfully on two Targa events then bolted it into Cameron Jones’ SS2000 racecar that went on to win the 2007 championship.” The flirtation with tarmac came to halt when the Silver Fern emerged as the must-do gravel event for any hardcore rally enthusiast. Charlie and mate Paul Mathews entered the 2008 event and promptly popped an apex seal on the very first special stage. They nursed the ailing rotary for three days then replaced the motor on the first ‘free’ night of servicing. The reinvigorated Mazda climbed back up to finish 4th overall, largely thanks to the stockpile of fresh rubber they hadn’t consumed on the opening legs. The Silver Fern became an abiding passion but a different project was beckoning. Charlie was discussing the wildly successful Peugeot class in the UK when Ric Chalmers mentioned “You could do the same thing over here with Hondas.” Say no more – Charlie bought a Civic the next day with the express intention of building a rally car for under $10k. He struggled with the handling but persevered and finally achieved some notable results, including a cherished Top Half title in 2011. He puts this down to finally working out he drove Hondas completely differently to the Strongs and Listons of the world, which meant their well-intentioned advice had been for naught. 59

Road Open

CONTINUED

Unfortunately no-one seemed to want a budget Honda class (so he sold his to Ric Chalmers) and the focus went back onto the Silver Fern. He ran the ex-Tania Styles Integra to 3rd on the 2014 edition, and planned to run it again on the 2016 Fern. The car however was destroyed in that year’s Rally of Coromandel when he rolled down a bank into a tree, leaving him with a Fern entry but no motor vehicle. Dave Strong promptly offered him a rumpty green Civic sitting at his Honda parts yard, and the Integra running gear was moved into that (and yes, you may have noted a pattern to the Evans Theory of Rally Car Construction). The car turned its first wheel in anger on the South island Fern, and a legend was born. “We went through a deer fence, bent every panel and lost all the windows (without actually tipping over). We popped back on the road and actually made up one place overall on the stage.” The Civic looked dreadful but an overnight visit to Invercargill saw a dramatic make-over. “There were three suitable cars at a wreckers so we replaced two doors, a hatch, bumper, plus all the windows and lights - all for less than $1k.” The colour matching was described as ‘interesting’, and has since become better known in the northern region as Charlie’s demon rallysprint car.

PHOTO BY JASON BYRNE

One of the joys of rallying around the country is meeting kindred spirits with the same love of the sport. “It was great getting to know people like Jeff Judd, Carl Rabbidge, Dean Buist and Andrew Grundy. I was very envious of how the sport was thriving down south – they were keeping it affordable for the young guys and seemed to be having fun. I wrote an article on Rallyflow that suggested we should be copying the Mainland model – no notes, no recce – I even suggested skipping the prizegivings to avoid paying for accommodation. There was a huge uproar.” There were also voices of encouragement so Charlie decided he’d better put his money where his mouth was. “I suggested to the Hamilton Car Club that we run a simple clubman rally – and that I would personally underwrite it if it didn’t make money.” Despite initial misgivings, the club ran a successful event which Charlie now sees as a blueprint for future rallies. “We’re batting for those who can’t afford to compete around the country like I have. We’re targeting the time-poor, the low budget, the guys that don’t have a service crew. It’s a challenge to keep the entry fee low while still allowing the club to make a coin for all their effort. I’m hoping other clubs will follow that formula.” So that’s all it takes to become a local hero. Drive fast, build smart, and give back to the sport. Indeed, it’s so straightforward that it’s become Charlie’s motto – ‘keep it simple’. ■

PHOTO BY PAUL BYRNE

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