The Fuchs Rally of Gisborne saw a dominant display by Subaru drivers, with Ben Hunt taking a commanding victory, Lance Williams second and Matt Summerfield fourth.
Auckland-based Hunt in his Subaru Impreza WRX STi finished the four stages yesterday just under three minutes ahead of Te Aroha’s Williams, driving his Subaru WRX R4.
Hunt and co-driver Tony Rawstorn’s game plan had been to drive within their limits and increase their lead in the NZRC. Finishing each stage in the fastest time “without really having to push it,” was encouraging for achieving their ultimate goal of winning their first national title after the final two rallies this year, Hunt said.
He now leads by a massive 42 points, with Williams in third only 13 points behind second-placed Phil Campbell, of Tauranga.
Both the top-finishing Subaru drivers were pleased to bag the results after a tough event.Overnight rain on Friday rendered many of the stages “completely different to recce,” Rawstorn said.
Tackling the mammoth 46.6km Motu stage was daunting after all the stories and myths surrounding the infamous test, which winds from Opotiki through the ranges to the small settlement of Motu, Hunt said.
Making his debut run through, Hunt won it by just under a minute from Williams. He spoke reverently of almost bedrock-like sections, slippery forestry parts and the tight nature of the roads that kept him on his toes for 41mins:03secs.
Williams described the Motu as “really long and tiring and a bit rough in the middle.”
Teamed up with experienced co-driver Raymond ‘Crunch’ Bennett, Williams is competing in only his second full season in the NZRC.
Apart from slight brake fade near the end of the day his Subaru ran faultlessly and he was pleased to record his second podium finish of the season.
Rangiora’s Summerfield with sister Nicole in the co-driver’s seat was third on the Motu stage and finished strongly in his Subaru Impreza recording the second fastest time on the final stage.
The NZRC next heads to Rally Coromandel on August 22.
CAPTIONS Subaru Impreza WRX STi driver Ben Hunt and co-driver Tony Rawstorn make a splash on the giant Motu stage of the Fuchs Rally of Gisborne yesterday. PHOTO CREDIT GEOFF RIDDER.
Drivers points in the 2015 Brian Green Property Group New Zealand Rally Championship
Ben Hunt – 126
Phil Campbell – 84
Lance Williams – 71
Matt Summerfield – 63
Marcus van Klink - 61
For further information, please contact Subaru of New Zealand Public Relations - Catherine Pattison (027) 4455 389 or email catherine.pattison@subaru.co.nz