This weekend’s Ashley Forest Rallysprint is the epitome of the word iconic.
It has history.
The first running of the event was 39 years ago and since then it has been run 32 times.
It has some big Kiwi names on its victory list
It has gathered many famous Kiwi drivers attempting to win the event, some have been successful, others not. Names such as Steve Millen, John Woolf, Paul Adams, Reg Cook, Neil Allport, Trevor Crowe (who is competing this weekend), Tony Teesdale, Rod Millen, Possum Bourne, Kim Austin, Hayden Paddon, Matt Summerfield and Sloan Cox have all won the event.
It has continuity.
Other than the opening year in which the course was only downhill, since 1980 the 1.7km course has remained relatively unchanged. The gravel forest road is 55% uphill and 45% downhill.
It has respect.
This year World Rally Championship driver Hayden Paddon returns for the third time in the last eight years. He won back in 2011 (Cordia V8, see picture) and attempting to win in 2017 was thwarted with engine problems. He is back again in his highly modified Hyundai AP4+ rally car.
Such an iconic event always has a future. In the years ahead, many will continue to head to the Ashley Forest north of Rangiora to try their hand at not only beating the record but also having their names on the winners list amongst the famous Kiwi drivers that have gone before them.
Arguably it is a simple event that is part of the New Zealand motorsport.
It represents the history, the present and the future of the NZ motorsport.
Past winners
1979 Steve Millen, Chevette HSR n/a
1980 John Woolf, Mazda RX3, 1.10.81
1981 Paul Adams, Ford Escort RS, 1.08.77
1982 Reg Cook, Nissan Sunny, 1.08.09
1983 Neil Allport, Ford Escort RS, 1.09.49
1984 Reg Cook, Nissan Sunny, 1.06.18
1985 Trevor Crowe, Starlet V8, 1.04.69
1986 not held
1987 Tony Teesdale, MG Metro, 1.05. 04
1988 Rod Millen, Mazda RX 7 4WD, 59.14
1989 Possum Bourne, Subaru RX, 1.05.28
1990 Rod Millen, Mazda RX7 4WD, 1.01.30
1991 Possum Bourne, Subaru Legacy, 1.01.15
1992 not held
1993 Kim Austin, Nissan GTI 4WD, 58.27
1994 , 1995, 1996, 1997 not held
1998 Kim Austin, Starion V8 4WD, 58.96
1999 Kim Austin, Starion V8 4WD, 56.57
2000 Possum Bourne, Impreza, 56.99
2001 not held
2002 Marty Roestenberg, Lancer Evo 3, 1.00.86
2003 Evan O’Leary, Lancer Evo 1, 59.16
2004 Steve Murphy, Cordia V8, 1.01. 23
2005 Marty Roestenberg, Impreza, 58.99
2006 no event
2007 Glenn Frew Lancer Evo, 1.03.92
2008 Steve Murphy, Cordia V8, 59.89
2009 Steve Murphy, Cordia V8, 59.18
2010 Glenn Inkster, Mitsubishi Evo, 57.40
2011 Hayden Paddon, Cordia V8, 57.16
2012 John Silcock, Mitsubishi Evo, 59.70
2013 Chris West, Mitsubishi Lancer, 1.04.54
2014 Matt Summerfield, Cordia V8, 1:01.09
2015 Matt Summerfield, Subaru Impreza STI, 1:03.41
2016 Matt Summerfield, Mitsubishi Mirage, 56.72
2017 Sloan Cox, Hillclimb Special Evo 8, 55.13
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