2019 season opener

RUARANGI ROAD, A QUICK ROUNDUP!

Sunday 20^th January, a little early for some, but still 44 crews turned up for round 1 of the ABC Pipefitters Northern Rallysprint Series. The Northland Car Club had the un-enviable task of getting the season underway, I say un-enviable as after the hiccups of last season all eyes were on the Car Club. But no one need have worried, Neil Rodgers and his crew put on a great event that everyone thoroughly enjoyed.

Ruarangi road, is without doubt a stunning piece of road, up there with the best in the country, love it, or hate it, it is a rollercoaster road like no other. The blind crests, flat out ridge tops, off camber corners and a fantastic spectator bend, especially running in the direction of today’s event, certainly one to test driver, co-driver and machine! The weather threatened to turn nasty with high winds and an early shower but it held off, infact by the end of the day the sun was out and it was scorching.

The event had the usual breakdowns, incidents and a roll over, no one hurt but the Barry Armiger incident (Car on fire) certainly was the more serious of the days incidents. Some fantastic driving was on display as crews started to blow the cobwebs out. Graham Featherstone was once again on fire…but not like Barry, pushed all the way by Clinton Cunningham, Warwick Redfern, Dave Strong and Bevan Wilson. The classes also had some great battles, but until all the registrations are sorted out it’s a little difficult at this stage to give details on the series overalls or class battles.

Full reports and pictures will be in the next edition of “A little bit sideways” magazine. Results can be found elsewhere on this site.

Round 2, another cracker of a road, Arcadia. Hosted by the Hibiscus Coast Motorsport Club will be on the 17^th of February. Regulations & entry are available on this site and on the HCMC site at www.hcmc.org.nz