Robbie Stokes steps up to win Mainland Rally Championship round in Otago

Robbie Stokes has won the second round of the 2022 Mainland Rally Championship held on the first day and part of the 2022 Otago Rally. Stokes (Ford Fiesta AP4) won the first three and the last Special Stages to beat home Marcus van Klink (Mazda RX8) and Ray Casey (Subaru Impreza).

“The day started off really well,” commented Stokes. “Typical rallying in that we had an axle issue on Stage 4, so we did three stages in front wheel drive which took me back to the R2 (two-wheel-drive) days which probably helped. Once sorted we had a bit of fun and made up some time on the last stage!

“The roads were very fast, a bit of dust, although it was the same for everyone. It has been awesome fun and really enjoyable and great to finish on a positive note.

**Marcus van Klink (Mazda RX8) leads Class C (2WD 1601cc and over) – Photo Euan Cameron**

Van Klink won two Special Stages with one Stage to Casey while SS7 was reduced to a Touring Stage due to a loose cattle stop.

The second round of the series has seen a major change in the overall points leader-board. Before the rally got underway with the ceremonial start in the Dunedin Octagon on Friday night, overall points leader Josh Marston had to pull out of the event due to a positive Covid test. Second overall heading into the round, was Michael Tall (Mitusbishi Mirage) who retired on Special Stage 2 with axle issues. Fourth overall, John Giltrap entered but did not start while Sean Haggarty retired with fuel issues heading to the final run of the day.

**Jay Ritchie (Toyota Starlet) was first home in Class A – Photo Euan Cameron**

Two third placings now see Casey taking the overall lead in the 2022 Mainland Rally Championship by two-points from van Klink with Deane Buist third and Ray Wilson fourth.

Autotech Services, RDL Performance and Brita Safety have put up cash prizes for each Class winner at the end of the Mainland Rally Championship season. $500, $250 and $100 for 1st, 2nd and 3rd respectively for each class as well as trophies for all classes and overall for both driver and co- driver. Vehicles are divided up into six different classes according to engine size, year of manufacturer and two or four-wheel drive.

**David Birkett (Toyota Levin) was first home in Class B (2WD 1301-1600cc) – Photo Euan Cameron**

First home and now leading Class A (2WD 0-1300cc) was Jay Ritchie (Toyota Starlet). David Birkett (Toyota Levin) was first home in Class B (2WD 1301-1600cc) which is now led by William Hawes (Toyota Corolla).

Marcus van Klink (Mazda RX8) continues to lead Class C (2WD 1601cc and over) from Deane Buist (Toyota Trueno) while Stokes was first home in Class D (4WD 1601cc and over) which is now led by Ray Casey’s (Subaru Impreza).

**Jeff Judd jumped ahead of the opposition – Photo Terry Marshall**

The rivalry in the Classic Class F was intense with Jeff Judd (Ford Escort) home first and leading the class ahead of Tim McIver (Ford Escort), while Nick Marston (Subaru H6) took his second win in Class H6.

The third round, Canterbury Rally, will be held 6 June.

**Nick Marston (Subaru H6) first home in Class H – Photo Euan Came**ron

Overall Points after 2/7 rounds (Top 15)

1/ Ray Casey 46
2/ Marcus Van Klink 44
3/ Deane Buist 33
4/ Ray Wilson 31
5= Jeff Judd 30
5= Josh Marston 30
5= Robbie Stokes 30
8/ Michael Tall 28
9/ Nick Marston 26
10= Dave Ollis 25
10= Tim McIver 25
12/ John Giltrap 20
13/ Sean Haggarty 19
14= James Worker 18
14= David Owen 18

**Tim McIver (Ford Escort) continues the rivalry in Class F – Photo Euan Cameron**

Results
Pos, Driver/Co-Driver, Make, Model, Class, Total Time
1/ Robbie Stokes/Amy Stokes, Ford Fiesta AP4, D, 1:09:18.0
2/ Marcus van Klink/Dave Neill, Mazda RX8,C, 1:12:26.9
3/ Ray Casey/Jimmy Martin, Subaru Impreza Sti, D, 1:13:01.5
4/ Deane Buist/Karl Celeste, Toyota Celica Gp B, C, 1:14:29.0
5/ Jeff Judd/Alex Parkin, Ford Escort RS2000, F, 1:14:59.0
6/ Ray Wilson/Chris Lancaster, Subaru Impreza WRX, D, 1:16:26.1
7/ Nick Marston/Hayden Graves, Subaru Impreza H6, H6, 1:19:30.8
8/ David Birkett/Jack Birkett, Toyota Levin,B, 1:19:38.5
9/ Tim McIver/Brent Wilson, Ford Escort Mk2,F, 1:20:20.9
10/ Ally Mackay/Brody Cattermole, Ford Escort, F, 1:23:08.2
11/ Willy Hawes/Jason Dwyer, Toyota Corolla,B, 1:24:05.6
12/ David Owen/Mitzielene Machida, Ford Escort RS2000,F, 1:24:16.9
13/ Dave Ollis/Gemma Thomas, Subaru Impreza WRX,D, 1:25:23.3
14/ Raimon Wilkinson/Ryan Wilkinson, Toyota Trueno, B, 1:25:35.6
15/ Graeme Coey/James Cowles, Mitsubishi Lancer EX Turbo,F, 1:28:51.1
16/ Tom Milliken/Chris Cunningham, Subaru Magnum H6,H6, 1:29:13.4
17/ Eddie Gray/Josh Skafer, Ford Escort RS1800,F, 1:29:16.0
18/ Amy Keighley/Nikita Gibson, Subaru Magnum H6,H6, 1:30:25.3
19/ Timothy James/John Mulrennan, Mazda RX3,F, 1:32:51.6
20/ Peter Bowden/Jono Taylor, Ford Escort, C, 1:33:34.6
21/ Jay Ritchie/Steven Clarke, Toyota Starlet,A, 1:35:00.3
22/ Paul Kendrick/Brett Maddren, Fiat Abarth 131,F, 1:39:35.1
23/ Pat Norris/Kevin Cooke, Toyota Starlet, A, 1:43:05.9
dnf Sean Haggarty/Bella Haggarty, Subaru Impreza WRX, D,
dnf Russell Burgess/William Shortus, Subaru Impreza,E,
dnf Eric Clark/Catriona Flynn, Subaru Impreza WRX, E,
dnf Michael Tall/Matt Richards, Mitsubishi MIrage, D,
dnf James Worker/Bradley Smith, Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 6,D,
dnf Jared Parker/Hamish Sands, Toyota Corolla 1600, B,
dnf Kerry Sloan/Tim McDonald, Toyota Starlet,B,