Northern Rally Sprint Series Home of the best rally sprint series in the country
Mucking In
Sunday 20th August turned out to be an absolute bumper field in tad trying conditions. The 23′ series is five rounds in with one final round to go on Sunday 19th November, rounding out another solid year for the Northern Rallysprint Series.
The Otorohanga region painted the palate on race day with overcast and wet conditions making for an interesting approach to Hoddle Road. The pits parking in the fields was potentially the first big hurdle of the day, and turned into a mere introduction of what was in store.
The welcomed aromas on arrival of the coffee cart and morning bbq set the bar leading into drivers briefing – these luxuries are a real bonus in these remote rally locations.
It was a gumboots kinda day with mushy conditions that posed no troubles for some but most took an optimistic approach to test the waters on what was to be a very damp, muddy start to the day. Usually fast and furious, Hoddle Road dialed it down a notch where drivers had to hone in on keeping it tidy and getting into the groove.
This is a favoured road within the series, growing in popularity. Whilst being the second club this year to be hit with less than ideal conditions, Hamilton Car Club set about to getting the job done with a full four runs on offer.
Raana Horan and Phil Campbell charged straight into run one and Mason Grimmer impressed joining the frontrunners in his quick Mazda 323, rounding out 3rd fastest. Class E numbers appeared to be dominating the field again with some good solid battles brewing. Class D was also looking a lot healthier, a big welcome to Chris Subritzsky in his tidy BMW 130i but unluckily having some teething problems on the first run to add to the mix of muddy conditions to tackle.
Tony Young in class A, not making the day still out with mechanical issues, left Dean Astill needing to find another sparring partner. Phil Broadbent also causality to issues leaving him out after run one, meaning we all have to wait a little longer to see him unleash the power of the LHD Starlet.
The Dad and lad battles can sometimes be the best to watch, it was great seeing Brooklyn Horan out in his element putting real pressure on the other class C competitors.
The rallysprint series lackies achieved their daily step counts after a walk round the vast pits area dishing out sponsor stickers. Very challenging getting door banner stickers to stick on wet door panels. Geoff Ridder did give us the heads up that despite our best efforts, these stickers may not be recognizable post run one when cars etch on the first coat of race mud. Right he was.
The paddock pits hill started working its magic, testing cars traction upon exit. Most chuckled at peoples attempts to get up a very slight incline – until it was their turn. A sturdy tractor parked itself strategically to help aid the multiple stragglers getting caught out. Cudos to those pitting roadside, or even better if you got in on the smaller gravel car park area.
Run two, would this be the money run, all or nothing on a deteriorating road surface. Most made a good dent in their run times, a trio of same minute battlers stood out – Lukas Ramsay, Brooklyn Horan and Jordan Grant, all giving it a good push with an equal finish time of 6.20. Charlie Evans notched into the top eight, finishing with a run time of 6.11 and Todd Bawden, who lost time in stage on run one missing out on a top 16 placing, put in a fierce charge back in run two seeing him finish with an impressive 5:57 stage time. Eliminations are tough, when you have to push to the limit right from the get-go to keep within the clutches of cut offs, its full noise run to run.
All made the most of the trying conditions, even the local farmers and their dogs stopping for a gander. Were they watching the cars or keeping tabs on the state of the road, ahh it’s soupy anyway, what’s a couple a hundred extra churns through the corners.
Most say no to the mucky conditions, good drivers just drive it, rain, sun or hail. Atrocious conditions aside, spare a thought to the organizer’s playing Russian roulette running these events when old friend mother nature time again tests the core resilience of the club’s ability to commit to race day.
Run three was definitely time to do the business. It seemed 50/50 on another run, the ruts were really digging in but the charging continued strong. Forever envious of those getting a good washdown between runs, there was no escaping the muddy warpaint for most. Focus though was on keeping it straight and keeping it tidy, easier said than done.
Kingsley Jones was ready for a good nudge, trailing just behind Dylan Turners Audi AP4 on this run, just one second down. The results said he was in an Evo but the nakedness of the unwrapped Skoda was a stark contrast to the lush green backdrops. Chris Subritzsky was winning on the diagnosis issues, enough to see him join back in the race to give it a good push but when one rejoins, one taps out, Lukas Ramsay ending this run with a dnf. Disappointing as it’s always good seeing Lukas out there charging, just as entertaining when it’s out in Dad’s car.
For most, just keeping in the tracks and finishing with a good clean run was enough to keep the dream alive. A downpour during this run would leave many questioning if run four would be. All long for a dryer Hoddle to unleash the potential this road harnesses, realistically we’ll have to wait another year to make the famous comeback tour.
To go forward, first you have to go backwards, the mysterious philosophy heading into run four. Not applicable to all, Shaun Wade and Bryn Jones were a small splattering of drivers who actually got faster on this final run. Time ticked onto the run times, hats off though teams, you got your full winter experience rally drive and challenging for all, it resets the field with all in the same slippy slidy boat.
Raana led the field all day, his impressive attacking style saw him stay under the 6 min mark on all runs. Haydn Mackenzie did not start this run, neither did rallying stalwart Grant Liston, or Barry Gibbs amongst others. Nick Marshall definitely got filthiest car of the day by the look of the post-match pics, if only there was a wash world voucher up for grabs at prize giving.
JP Van Der Meys was tipping it in hoping for a smooth final run, just a tad too much losing the rear 300m from the start line, hitting a bank and resting in a slightly upside-down position. Andrew Keighley joined the class H competitors in his Ford Escort, and class G competitors all finished with a class podium.
Phil Campbell has put in a good solid five rounds this year to retain the series lead as we draw closer to the 23′ series end.
While all drivers are out there making lemonade enjoying the spoils in rallysprint land, there is one final round which could prove to be just the fizz, a game changer, to sum up another bumper year. Motorsport Bay of Plenty’s Kaharoa/Penny Road on Sunday 19th November is a tarmac round… now before you throw your arms up and demand for gravel, variation can be key to blurring photographic minds, unfamiliar territories ensure an even playing field leading into the final push. This round will be worth the trip, a targa-esque type feel but on steroids, when rally teams come out to play once more, it will be for final standings for the year.
A mere one week later, the series prizegiving will be held at the Northern Sports Car Club in Mt Wellington. Dial the trophy engravers on turbo, there’s not much time in between the final run to splashing the champagne. The evening, being run in conjunction with the North Island Rally Series prizegiving, will bring food vendors, key speakers, trophies and a good yarn. Please add Saturday 25th November to your calendars as we’d love to see you there.
