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The Final Hurrah

RALLYSPRINT UPDATE

It is Done

Challenge / something that needs great mental and physical effort in order to be done successfully and therefore tests a person’s ability. The definition, in every sense, has under toned the 24′ series.

We push on as we love this crazy sport. It’s addictive and thrilling, the sights and sounds stirring adrenaline from the core and raising the hair on the back of your neck. The partnership’s, the rivalries, racing against time, all the amazing people and the harmonious groups that trek from event to event. Honestly, on behalf of anyone and everyone that makes up this awesome Northern Rally Sprint Series, thank you. You are what keeps this thing going.

There are hordes of you, in every facet of the running of these events, the competing teams, so many services and faces that make up each leg. It’s incredibly difficult to thank each of you for your part but know the contribution you make is significant.

Reclaiming a round toward the end felt rewarding. On rally soil, in a place that resets the dials. Maramaura’s allure will always draw us back, its forest tracks rich in rally history. As the healing journey continues, this time we were cleansed by the sanctuary of the forest. Its airy silence disturbed by those who challenged its path. It was an awesome day for competing teams and a big deep breath out for organizing clubs as the masses converged ready for a rip-roaring days racing.

SACC & TVCC pulled a white rabbit out of the hat, or was it a giant hare? Magic on the face of it anyway. The joint affair was well executed, blended teams seamlessly merged together and pulled off a very well-run event. Even from the very start of the planning phase, meeting with Sam and Emma Miller for a forest drive-through, it has been a pleasant process dealing with all involved and it returned many welcomed faces.

Yeah, yeah, the pits were spread out, the timing lights were a little bit different. The whole platter is delicately constructed, every little bit considered. Placements, thoroughfares, equipment, personnel. Soy pearls may not substitute for caviar, but we try our best to make it a tasty dish. The course was remarkably groomed, there were some beefy rocks that appeared in some bits which is annoying, especially if it’s in your drive line on your run but who ever gets a perfectly groomed course all day? Drive it as it is.

Timing is key, clockwork and syncing to ensure the day tracks along is critical. The timing and results team had their work cut out for them, trying to focus with RX7s pulsing beside you is absolutely an art. Always spare a thought for those who facilitate your experience, I’d dare say they’d trade places with you in a flash.

Photographs tell 1000 words and there are many photographers that support the events and the series. They scale cliffs and banks to track your movements, to bring you the money shot and entertain you post event and for months that follow with their array of images. You can just about taste the dust that Roostertails cars in their phenomenal action shots. We very much appreciate you all.

The fanfare also definitely rates highly, the spectators who cheer you on even if the cornering’s a bit dodgy. They too pop up on corners, up trees, on hills, in funny places, they just want a piece of that action too. It’s just cool how these events that are run by the clubs deliver so much.

Alot of the positive feels came back from this event. What’s scarier than short bursts of cornering, intense L’s and R’s and technical sections – it’s flat-out crazy speed. If in doubt flat out, change your dacks later. It was similar distance to other rally sprint events, but it felt a bit rock star letting the legs stretch out.

Pin those ears back cause once you’re on a flow, this road is fun. I’ve always liked racing the forests, the course definitely looked different though with its large-scale cleared sections. Considering its a forest road, I thought it held up remarkably well. I’m not a master nor a frequent flyer, I’ve had the unfortunate experience of dodging other worse things like livestock, so a few rocks are an acceptable price to pay.

We come back and race on these surfaces. They’re familiar, they may even be frequent on the calendar but by gawd they’re fun. I haven’t had a decent blat in the forest for ages and there’s just something about the forest that lies in waiting. Made for logging trucks and rally cars they are. Be careful though or it’ll bite, fortunately no one got bitten on this event and only good times were had.

There were some blisteringly fast times notched on the board on run one, too much chomping at the bit clearly. Phil Campbell set out as the trail blazer to catch, the forest legends responding, setting respectable run times. Mike Goldsbury and Phil Broadbent posting in the top 8 fastest times on this run in their class B 1300-1600cc cars.

We’re a but gutted Rambo’s times weren’t recorded – obviously the detriment of a dual driven entry – his time spent bedding in the car, with its impressive demeanor & performance.

Most acquainted themselves well for run two, pressing ahead. The familiar feeling when it’s all going a bit right. I’m always a fan of the long ascents but what goes up must come down and the descending sections seemingly an art of nimble turns as the road cautiously snakes back down to the valley floor. Jenny Webley and Jess Jones swapped extreme for extreme, switching codriver seats for a run and getting the most out of 4WD v RWD thrills. Marc Huband had mechanical issues on this run, so too did Blair Richardson, leaving them out of the race. It was high fives seeing Carlin Leong sitting at the start line ready to go, Cheryl Leong also delighted in being able to ride one run shotgun. It’s great to see the very sharp looking Subaru back in action, it’s equally entertaining watching Carlin Leong and Nathan Roa’s YouTube feeds, seriously a must watch.

Run two top 8, Phil Campbell led the field with a 14 sec lead over closest rivals Dave Strong and Phil Brodbent putting in a solid effort. While every driver shaved back crucial seconds in this run, it only gets harder making the top 8 from the overall field. Time was in favour for the running of the day, and things were heating up mid-way through the eliminations.

Timing was on point and at just before 2pm, we were getting ready for run 3. I was getting a bit excited, as an organizer being in the dust and wind for half the day, I was starting to image the sweet taste of Red Fox ale. The sounds of the Mazdas snapped me back out of the haze. Were the Mazdas multiplying, there was more at this event than there have been in a while, David Beaver’s green RX7 a welcomed addition, Marcus Lowry the lucky co-driver recipient. Mitsubishi Evo’s were also in force and hunting for time. Sam Miller ending 4th fastest at 5:24, Kingsley Jones 3rd at 5:22, Dave Strong 2nd at 5:16 and Phil Campell still well ahead at 5:06.

Something loud was coming down the hill into the finish, enough to make you take notice. What was it, it sounded hmm, can’t put my finger on it, maybe a bit Mad Max? It was Tony Young less most of his exhaust, still dragging and rattling underbelly. Going for a wander and checking out how bad it was, I returned shortly after humming, Bob the Builder, can we fix it, yes we can, Tony quite adamant that wasnt going to stop his day.

Last run before the final run offs and Dave Strong sustained some damage in stage leaving him unable to finish. By this point the field were in full speed mode, very comfortable with the fast pace the course offered. Fresh to the course Tom Kemp-Hill was having a brilliant day’s racing, the forth run usually the run where you’d be really wishing it was your run one time. Kingsly Jones managing to scoop up 2nd fastest to round out the top two overall.

Class runoffs ensued, Class A Garry Trayes was able to have a healthy punt with Tony Young 6:13 to Tonys 5:51. The anticipation for an abled body to give Mike Goldsbury a good run for his money built high for class B, Phil Broadbent sustaining mechanical damages allowing Mike to take the win with a 5:27. Honda v Honda for class C, Anthony Te Rito v Grant Liston, 5:27 to 5:41. Class H PCC member battles Brian Best v David Beaver, 6:12 to 6:15, close. Charlie Evans was able to take out class D with a 5:25 with Leon McKnight a DNS. Phil Campbell had a good toggle with Kingsley Jones the difference 4:55 to 5:15.

It almost seemed like a new race then, to the Red Fox, we were parched. This is clearly the next best thing to forest racing, beer to wash away dust taste. It was a great turnout, the carpark was full. The best parking went to Cayleigh Young, parking on a slight hill, up a curb, with a trailer, she’ll be right, good stuff! That’s what cruisers are for.

Phil Campbell you’re a legend, Kingsley Jones almost had ya ..

Prizegiving

7th December from 5:30pm

Northern Sports Car Club, Mt Richmond Domain, Mt Wellington

Run in conjunction with the North Island Rally Series

Join us for another evening of prizegiving and entertainment with food trucks, socializing and silverware.

We are currently taking expressions of interest to sponsor the Northern Rallysprint into 2025. With primary sponsor CPS Chris Woundenberg having sold the business, we are looking to secure an event partner to support the series into the future.

Please get in touch with Nsim@xtra.co.nz 021 191 0660 for expressions of interest and to obtain further information.

Partners

About Nikki Sim

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