Cantabrian driver Josh Marston is out of this weekend’s Rally Otago before it has started, and his absence is likely to shake-up the 2022 Brian Green Property Group New Zealand Rally Championship before it has started. Unfortunately, Marston has tested positive for Covid and is currently isolating. However, its not all bad!
“I’m gutted for the whole team,” commented Marston. “Everyone has put such an effort into getting the car ready for this season, particularly after we crashed into the cattle beast last year.”
Marston and co-driver, Andrew Graves, crashed heavily on a Special Stage 3 (Mulvhill) at the 2021 Rally South Canterbury last June, bringing their season to an abrupt ending.
Fortunately for Marston, who was seeded fifth on the road for this weekend, the NZ Rally Championship 2022 Articles may fall his way.
In the position of a competitor being forced to withdraw from an event due to Covid, there is the provision to drop ’the worst Event points from any of the first four (4) rounds from all Drivers’ final point score.*’
This is an interesting provision written into the articles, which will now affect all drivers and the points they gain, or not, from the first four rounds. Note, the final two rounds are part of the WRC Rally of New Zealand.
While this may be some consolation for Marston, it also will allow all drivers to drop their worst round from the first four events. This effectively puts even more pressure on competitors for three of their best, leading up to Rally NZ in September.
“It’s not ideal,” said Marston, commenting about his Covid isolation. “It’s all part of the sport so bring on Rally Whangarei.”
Unfortunately for Mason, with Rally Otago being a two-day event, there are bonus points available for each of the legs for first through to fifth positions (7,5,3,2,1 points), which he will miss out on.
2022 Brian Green Property Group New Zealand Rally Championship calendar
Round 1, April 8-10 Otago Rally
Round 2, May 13-15 International Rally of Whangarei
Round 3, June 18 Rally South Canterbury
Round 4, July 30 Rally Hawke’s Bay
Round 5, Sept 29-30 Rally New Zealand Day 1
Round 6, Oct 1-2 Rally New Zealand Day 2 and 3
*Article 8.1.2
If a Driver or Competitor is forced to withdraw from an Event due to Covid-19 restrictions, including but not limited to regional lockdown or the requirement to isolate, the final championship points for both the Driver’s and Team’s championship will then be calculated by dropping the worst Event points from any of the first four (4) rounds from all Drivers’ final point score.
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