For the first time during the 2025 Tarda NZ, there is a new overall leader. Paul Dowie was only 1.9 seconds behind Rogers heading into Ratapiko which was a 22km stage at the foot of Mt Taranaki. Rogers’s Lancer lost 4th and 5th gears which slowed them significantly. They lost 20 seconds in the stage then temporarily withdrew so that the DNG team could install a new gearbox. With the change only taking two hours they were back for the two afternoon stages where they recorded the third fastest time on both stages.
Andrew Oakley and his co-driver Steve Hutchins (main photo) are leading the Production 4WD class by 4 minutes although they started to have the rear differential overheat in the morning but soon found that they just needed to change the oil otherwise the car had been running faultlessly. Second place is the Toyota Yaris GR of Ben and Gus Forrest. Sitting in third is Michael Chora and his co-driver Rachael Ferrante who are in a Subaru WRX STi.
Charlie Evans and his co-driver Carol Liston currently lead the Allcomers 2WD class with a 3 minute lead over Dave Strong and Rob Scott. Strong took advantage of the extended service today to change the axels on his RX7 as they were getting close to the end of their lifespan. This is Dave’s first Targa event. He is usually found with the Honda Jazz RS on gravel rallies. Charlie Evans is also a regular on the gravel.
Long-time Targa competitor Mike Lowe’s team worked on his car until 2:30am this morningfixing the engine in Cambridge. He rejoined for the first of the two afternoon stages in the Classic 2WD 3401cc and over class which he is entered under. Bevan Claridge and Campbell Tannock lead this class in the Holden Commodore.
Additional cars will join in on the fun tomorrow for the Regional two day Targa. This will include four-time New Zealand Rally Champion Bruce Herbert. He will be piloting a BMW 325 with Samantha Cox in the co-drivers seat.
Ultima driver Craig Haysman and his co-driver Jason Page are both recovering in Hospital after their crash yesterday.
The cars will leave Palmerston North Square from 8:30am tomorrow morning and take on seven special stages in the local region before finishing up in the Hawkes Bay.
Targa NZ Results – Day 3 (Top 15)
Pos Driver Co-Driver Make Model Class
1/ Paul Dowie /John Allen Porsche GT3RS 6
2/ David Rogers/ Shane Reynolds Mitsubishi Evo X RS 9
3/ Martin Dippie/ Jona Grant Porsche GT3 RS 6
4/ Mike Tubbs /Matt Bailey BMW M2 6
5/ Charlie Evans/ Carol Liston Mazda RX7 7
6/ Andy Oakley /Steve Hutchins, Audi RS5 8
7/ Laura Rogers /Gavin Rogers, Porsche Cayman 6
8/ Nathan Apatu /Donna Elder, Porsche GT3 6
9/ Michael Chora/ Rachael Ferrante, Subaru WRX STI 8
10/ Xavier Franklin/ Jaidyn Gluskie, BMW M2 6
11/ Ben Forrest /Gus Forrest, Toyota Yaris GR 8
12/ Robert Darrington/ Mal Peden, Toyota Yaris 9
13/ Dave Strong /Rob Scott, Honda Jazz RS 7
14/ John Ireland/ Bernie Webb, Dodge Viper 6
15/ Richard Ramson/ Adam Lyall, Ford Mustang 7
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