Hayden Paddon and John Kennard have finished Day 1 of the Otago Rally leading after being fastest on seven of the eight stages today. Second home and 3:05.5 minutes behind Paddon was the Audi AP4 car of Dyland Turner and Malcolm Read with the Subaru of Ben Hunt and Tony Rawstorn third.
Paddon was on track to win all eight stages but popped his front right tyre during the Super Stage around the streets of Dunedin due to running too higher pressure, losing nearly 30 seconds of his lead.
The opening round of the Brian Green Property Group New Zealand Rally Championship took its usual toll on competitors. Local driver Emma Gilmour with new co-driver Ben Searcy punctured on the opening stage and then withdrew with overheating problems. They were to rejoin for the final Super Stage around the streets of Dunedin.
Australian Brendan Reeves and co-driver Rhianon Geisomino driving the Stokes Motorsport Ford Fiesta AP4, held second place for much of the day only to falter with alternator problems late in the afternoon.
Dave Holder and Jason Farmer (Holden Barina) suffered from a broken drive shaft midway through the day on Special Stage 4 (Kuri Bush) but were able to continue through the rest of the day in 2WD.
Matt and Nicole Summerfield suffered from a puncture in SS4 losing time and dropping to 31st overall.
Phil Campbell/Malcolm Peden (Ford Fiesta AP4) hold fourth overall ahead of Andrew Hawkeswood/Jeff Cress (Mazda AP4) and Jack Hawkeswood/Alex Parkin (Mazda AP4).
Leading the Otago International Calssic Rally is Mads Ostberg and Torstein Erikson (Ford Escort RS1800), ahead of Derek Ayson/Nikita Gibson (Ford EscortMk2) and Regan Ross/Samantha Gray (Ford EscortRS1800).
Day 2 on Sunday sees competitors competing over seven stages north of Dunedin with servicing taking place in Oamaru.
Results after Day 1
Drivesouth Otago Rally
1. H. Paddon / J. Kennard, Hyundai i20 AP4, 1h13m41.9s
2. D. Turner / M. Read, Audi AP4, +3m05.5s
3. B. Hunt / T Rawstorn, Subaru Impreza WRX, +3m17.0s
4. P. Campbell / M. Peden, Ford Fiesta AP4, +4m29.7s
5. A. Hawkeswood / J. Cress, Mazda 2 AP4, +6m17.0s
6. J. Hawkeswood / A. Parkin, Mazda 2 AP4, +7m3.4s
FIA Asia Pacific Rally Championship – Pacific Cup
1. H. Paddon / J. Kennard, Hyundai i20 AP4, 1h13m41.9s
2. A. Hawkeswood / J. Cress, Mazda 2 AP4, +6m17.0s
3. J. Hawkeswood / A. Parkin, Mazda 2 AP4, +7m3.4s
4. D. Holder / J. Farmer, Holden Barina AP4, +28m19.9s
Brian Green Property Group New Zealand Rally Championship
1. D. Turner / M. Read, Audi AP4, 1h16m47.4s
2. B. Hunt / T Rawstorn, Subaru Impreza WRX, +11.5s
3. P. Campbell / M. Peden, Ford Fiesta AP4, +1m24.2s
4. A. Hawkeswood / J. Cress, Mazda 2 AP4, +3m11.5s
5. J. Hawkeswood / A. Parkin, Mazda 2 AP4, +3m57.9s
Winmax Brake Pads Otago International Classic Rally
1. M. Ostberg / T. Eriksen, Ford Escort RS1800, 1h20m55.8s
2. D. Ayson / N. Gibson, Ford Escort Mk2, +1m01.7s
3. R. Ross / S. Gray, Ford Escort RS1800, +1m17.5s
4. S. Reid / J. Mortimer, Ford Escort Mk2, +3m38.6s
5. J. Judd / S. Brennan, Ford Escort RS1800, +3m47.6s
6. G. Ferguson / R. Moody, Ford Escort RS1800, +3.56.3s
7. G. Walker / T. Dewhurst, Ford Escort RS1800, +4m46.9s
8. K. Robinson / T. Aimers, Nissan Bluebird Turbo, +6m10.0s
9. R. Chadwick / R. Chadwick, Toyota Corolla, +7m09.8s
10. A. Martin / M. Hayward, Mazda RX3, +7m45.1s
Classic 4WD Rally
1. R. Wilson / D. Elder, Audi Quattro S2 Coupe, 1h26m27.7s
2. P. Collins / T. Spark, Audi Quattro Coupe, +1m37.2s
3. T. Bond / N. Wookkey, Subaru Legacy, +2m9.2s
4. M. Marshall / C. Thompson, Subaru Impreza WRX, +2m36.8s
5. Z. King / M. Thompson, Subaru WRX, 2m54.3s
Leviathan Hotel Allcomers Rally
1. G. Thomas / G. Thomas, Subaru WRX Sti, 1h21m48.9s
2. S. Simpson / M. Crook, Volkswagen Polo, +43.6s
3. B. Smith / A. Beck, Mitsubishi Lancer EVO 9, +54.7s
4. J. Williamson / B. Williamson, Subaru Impreza STi R4, +1m03.0s
5. E. Creugnet / P. Delrieu, Mitsubishi Lancer EVO 9, +2m56.8
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