Maramarua Rally Results
Just two weeks after taking out Rally Nelson. South Auckland Driver Ben Hunt has taken his Skoda WRC2 to another win, this time the Pukekohe Car Club Winger Subaru Maramarua Rally.
Ben Hunt, Winner 2023 Maramarua rally. Credit Geoff Ridder
Phil Campbell Ford fiesta AP4. Credit Geoff Ridder
Raana Horan, also in a WRC2 Skoda, had held a handy 17 second lead over Hunt at the service break, with Phil Campbell another 34 seconds back in his Ford Fiesta AP4.
Hunt had closed the gap to 9 seconds heading in to the final stage, but Horan went off the road early in the stage, and was forced to retire with a damaged radiator
Hunt took the win, but it was Campbell who finished second and took out the Winmax Brake Pads North Island Rally Series top spot as Hunt is not registered.
Campbell now leads the NIRS points over Clint Cunningham in his RCK Contractors Skoda.
3rd overall and first two wheel drive went to Charlie Evans, Mazda RX7. Evans admitted that his knowledge and experience of the roads in this forest had been a big advantage as the Rally was run without pacenotes.
Charlie Evans Mazda Rx7. Credit Geoff Ridder
His performance won him the Winmax Brakes Drive of the day Trophy and a set of Hoosier Rally Tyres
Charlie Evans and Co Driver Dayna Kiekebosch with their Drive of the day prize. Credit Geoff Ridder
The rally was held exactly 50 years after Mike Marshall won the very first Maramarua event in an Escort. Unfortunately for Mike’s son Nick, a damaged Sump in his Peugeot saw him retire, unable to repeat his father’s win.
Jay Pittams, Subaru WRX, finished 3rd in the NIRS standings.
The North Island Rally Series competitors will head to Bay of Plenty on October 15 for the next round which will include competitors from the Brian Green Property Group NZRC, Regional and Clubmans competitors
Results
1. Ben Hunt, Tony Rawstorn Skoda WRC2
2. Phil Campbell, Brianna Little Ford Fiesta AP4
3. Charlie Evans, Dayna Kiekebosch Mazda RX7
4. Jay Pittams, JP van Der Meys Subaru WRX
5. Clint Cunningham, Noel Moloney Skoda R5
NIRS Podium, Maramarua Rally. Credit Geoff Ridder