Robbie Stokes first home in opening Mainland Rally Championship round at Otago Rally

| Photographer Credit: Geoff Ridder

Robbie Stokes has won the opening round of the 2024 Mainland Rally Championship held on the first day of the 2024 Otago Rally. Stokes (Ford Fiesta AP4), along with co-driver Sarah Brennan won all eight Special Stages, finishing ahead of Andrew Graves/Hayden Graves (Mitsubishi Lance Evo 3) with Caleb Macdonald/Larisa Biggar (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 8) in third and last season’s MRC title holder Dylan Thomson (Ford Fiesta Rally4) fourth.

“It’s been an awesome day,” commented Stokes. “The roads are in beautiful condition and you couldn’t ask for better. It’s been great fun and crazy fast. It’s required some big commitment which has been pretty rewarding.”

Andrew Graves/Hayden Graves (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 3) was second overall and first in Class E – photo Geoff Ridder

Graves was consistent all day finishing second fastest to Stokes on six of the stages in a battle with Thomson, Caleb Macdonald/Larisa Biggar (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 6) and Mark McMillen/Tim Driscoll (Subaru Impreza).

“It went relatively well,” said Stokes. “We had a few brake issues to deal with unfortunately after the first service when the pedal got ‘spongy’. We think we have it fixed for Sunday.”

The Mainland Rally Championship took place on the first of two days of competition around the township of Lawrence, south of Dunedin.

Jack Stokes/Sarah Faulkner (Ford Fiesta R2) made an impressive start to the season finishing sixth overall and winning Class B – photo Geoff Ridder

There are seven separate Class titles for both driver and co-drivers to be decided on the best five results from the six rounds making up the MRC.

Mike Matheson/Gordon Legge (Toyota Vitz) made a strong start to their defence of the Class A (2WD 0-1300cc) title finishing ahead of Luke Smeets/Jake Day (Toyota Starlet) and Jak Elliott/Blair Brosnan (Toyota Echo).

Jack Stokes/Sarah Faulkner (Ford Fiesta R2) made an impressive start to the season finishing sixth overall and winning Class B (2WD 1301-1600cc) ahead of Thomas Paul/Bridget Airey (Honda Civic) and James Worker/Mags Marshall (Ford Fiesta R2).

Dylan Thomson (Ford Fiesta Rally4) was fourth overall and first in Class C- photo Geoff Ridder

Dylan Thomson (Ford Fiesta Rally4) also started the defence of his Class C (2WD >1601cc) title finishing ahead of Gareth O’Hara/Skyla Tohill (Toyota Corolla) and Stephen Gill/Grant Molloy (Ford Escort Mk2).

Stokes (Ford Fiesta AP4) was first home in Class D (4WD) with Macdonald (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo6) second and McMillan third.

Graves’ second overall saw him win Class E (Pre 1996 Classic 4WD) with 2023 title winner Hayden Shakespeare (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 3) in second and Nigel Ede/Mark Grimmer (Subaru Legacy RS) third.

Ally Mackay/Mikko Johnston (Ford Escort Mk1) won Class F- photo Geoff Ridder

2023 Historic Class F winner Ally Mackay/Mikko Johstone (Ford Escort Mk1) returned to the event in style finishing seventh overall and in Class, beating home Tim McIver/Tim McDonald (Ford Escort Mk2 BDA) with Shane McKenzie/Sean Sands (Mitsubishi VR4) in third.

In the popular Subaru H6 Class James Macdonald/Josh Edwards came home ahead of Paul Cross/Janey Blair (Subaru Impreza H6) and Amy Keighley/Grant Marra (Subaru Impreza H6).

James Macdonald/Josh Edwards, (Subaru Impreza WRX H6) were first in Class H – photo Geoff Ridder

The next round takes place at the South Canterbury Rally which has moved to an early time, 11 May 2024.

The 2024 Mainland Rally Championship has the support of RDL Performance, Brita Safety Ltd, Palmside NZ Ltd, Christchurch Building and Decorating Ltd, Thomson Rust and Repair Services Ltd, Rally Drive NZ.

Results Round 1
Place, Driver 1/Driver 2. Car, Class
1/ Robbie Stokes/Sarah Brennan, Ford Fiesta AP4, D
2/ Andrew Graves/Hayden Graves, Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 3 E
3/ Caleb MacDonald/Larisa Biggar, Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 6, D
4/ Dylan Thomson/Bayden Thomson, Ford Fiesta Rally 4, C
5/ Mark McMillan/Tim Driscoll, Subaru Impreza, D
6/ Jack Stokes/Sarah Faulkner, Ford Fiesta R2, B
7/ Ally Mackay/Mikko Johnston, Ford Escort Mk1, F
8/ James Macdonald/Josh Edwards, Subaru Impreza WRX, H6
9/ Gareth O’Hara/Skyla Tohill, Toyota Corolla, C
10/ Thomas Paul/Bridget Airey, Honda Civic, B
11/ Paul Cross/Janey Blair, Subaru Impreza H6, H6
12/ Tim McIver/Tim McDonald, Ford Escort Mk2 BDA, F
13/ James Worker/Mags Marshall, Ford Fiesta R2, B
14/ Stephen Gill/Grant Molloy, Ford Escort Mk2, C
15/ Shane McKenzie/Sean Sands, Mitsubishi VR4, F
16/ Tim Mackersy/Lauren Mackersy, Ford Fiesta R2, B
17/ Willy Hawes/Jason Dwyer, Toyota GT86, C
18/ Amy Keighley/Grant Marra, Subaru Impreza H6, H6
19/ Dave Ollis/Gemma Thomas, Subaru Impreza WRX, D
20/ Tom Milliken/Chris Cunningham, Subaru Impreza H6, H6
21/ Ian Elliot/Carolyn Elliot, Subaru Impreza H6, H6
22/ Paul Fraser/Brody Cattermole, Ford Escort RS1800, F
23/ Harri Silcock/Mark Greenwood, Toyota Starlet, B
24/ Hayden Shakespeare/Chris Sunman, Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 5, E
25/ Mike Matheson/Gordon Legge, Toyota Vitz, A
26/ Luke Smeets/Jake Day, Toyota Starlet, A
27/ Mark Jackson/Corinne Cutler, Ford Escort, C
28/ Jak Elliott/Blair Brosnan, Toyota Echo, A
29/ Pat Norris/Geoff Parr, Toyota Yaris, A
30/ Murray Christofferson/Alex Gidney, Toyota Levin, B
31/ Nigel Ede/Mark Grimmer, Subaru Legacy RS, E
32/ Kevin Brockie/Cody Jenkins, Toyota Vitz, A
dnf Brian Green/Brianna Little, Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9, D
dnf Tim Smith/Jonty Brenssell, Subaru Impreza H6, H6
dnf Harry Worker/Kyle Percival, Toyota Levin, B
dnf Daph O’Rourke/Terri Taylor, Ford Fiesta R2, B
dnf Craig Cormack/Mike Wilson, Toyota Corolla AE86, B

Benjamin Carrell is a freelance motorsport writer and currently edits talkmotorsport.co.nz. He writes for a number of Kiwi drivers and motorsport clubs. That's when he's not working in his horticultural day-job or training for the next road or mtb cycle race!

https://talkmotorsport.co.nz

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