Northern Rally Sprint Series Home of the best rally sprint series in the country
Recap – Round 6, Kaharoa/Penny Road Rally Sprint 19-Nov-23
Wet tarmac goosies….
MBOP’s dampened tarmac rally sprint round held in Nov-23, closed off a solid 6-round 23′ season. Kaharoa/Penny Roads offered greasy surfaces, speed bursts and puddle zones, resulting in a real mash up for what was in store for the day. While the fast-paced tarmac action may not have matched entrant no’s of earlier rounds, Kaharoa/Penny Road has got some good bones and adds another layer to, what is, a predominantly gravel based series. This was the fast and furious end to the 23′ series.
Although numbers were light, call upon the people and they will come. MBOP had a 90° turn into Penny Road that had drivers turn #BOSSmode, giving spectators a well-deserved show. Someone clearly forgot to turn the sky tap off as it was dousing down leaving competitors with rather wet conditions to deal with.
In light of the precipitation, Phil Campbell rolled out another masterclass of driving in his Ford Fiesta AP4, a weapon of speed and agility baiting all for a good battle.
The morning started off slightly wet, and although hopeful for the skies to clear, it stayed on and off wet most of the day. Smaller fields do mean a quick turnaround and full runs on offer for the day, despite the weather.
Run 1 proved a good warm up with two drivers recording under the 5 minute mark, Phil Campbell 4.37 and Jay Pittams 4.55, James West not too far off. Disappointingly, Chris Alexander had some car issues 3km into the first run, meaning his day was cut short.
Second run, the road was a bit dryer, and it seemed the rain might clear up with drivers getting more used to the road. Little did they know, it was about to rain heavier and the road to get more slippy. Phil Campbell was untouchable by the third run with his local knowledge and AP4 proving he can almost go as fast on the wet as the dry, almost equaling his personal record on the road with a 4.24.47.
Fourth run was again a bit slippy but the drivers seemed to have gotten comfortable with their tyres and grip. Most drivers managing to get faster and faster as the day went on with 5 drivers cracking the 5 minute mark. Lukas Ramsay proving, he has found some pace in his Fiesta well below the 5 minutes in the third and fourth run to finish 4th overall.
Final placings were almost already decided before the runoffs and a few cars decided to put on a show at the spectator junction, giving everyone a splash or a laugh. Phil Campbell finished the day by beating his own personal record, which was done in the wet, on rally tyres with a 4.23.62. Second was Jay Pittams with a 4.43.83 and rounding up the top 3 was James West with a 4.48.88.
A few mechanicals but surprisingly no major offs. A few whoopsies – some on purpose, others not. Overall, a well-run event despite the weather gods not playing ball, it meant for a good spectating day.
Driver-codriver synchronization of racecar, balancing skill to conditions to achieve a result worthy, no matter the conditions.
Impressive times were set on the day, at just over 8kms in length, the tarmac masters danced the dance and wiggled into the groove, to shave back round times and cap off the series only tarmac round.
Kudos to all competitors and organizers for this round, and every round that made up the 23′ series. It’s a well followed series, one now 35+ years in the making.
23′ Series Prizegiving
The Northern Sports Car Club, situated in Mt Richmond Domain Mt Wellington, housed a special evening on 25-Nov. A joint event, the Northern Rally Sprint Series teamed up with the North Island Rally Series for an evening of prizegiving, awards, food and banter.
Most competitors were involved with one or both series, so an evening to celebrate both series panned out. The evening was split, and commemorations were in order for all award recipients. Glassware was clinking and trophy ware was being dished out. The challenge seemingly, was for the stage teams to try pass over trophies to the right people as 1st, 2nd & 3rd placings were coming up to celebrate together. NIRS then calling up codrivers with drivers, it was a very busy stage area.
Trophy winners navigated down the invisible runway to the rear of the room for professional group photos by NIRS series photographer Geoff Ridder.
Series sponsors, Chris Woudenberg & Chris Alexander, handed out driver and codriver championship trophies. Series convenors, Grant Liston and Don Brunt, handed out series special trophies.
Speakers entertained, Bob Mitchell, Marty Roestenberg, Neil Allport and Kingsley Jones providing great banter for the evening. Trophies decorated tables, Phil Campbells car stood proud in the room right in the middle of the action and all in all, it was a very enjoyable evening.
2023 Award Winners – Drivers
2023 Award Winners – Co-drivers
2023 Award Winners – Special Trophies
24′ Series Calendar
Clubs have committed and there is another 6-round-series in store for 24′.
New roads/venues are desirable to add variation to the series, clubs trying to seek out new roads where possible. SACC were scheduled to run first, however have requested to be pushed out later in the year – so first up is HCMC with Arcadia Road.
*Roads/dates are subject to change.
Clubs are aiming to deliver high for your rally sprint action.
Drivers and codrivers, please click on the link below to register for the series
