Day 1 of the 2024 Targa NZ consisted of five special stages which were centered around the Otorohanga region. The rain held off for the racing to be held under dry conditions. Andrew Oakley and his co-driver Steve Hutchins won the first stage in the Audi RS5 before David Rogers and co-driver Shane Reynolds went on to win the second stage.
The remaining three stages were won by last year’s Targa NZ winner Marcus van Klink and co-driver Matt Richards in the RX8. 2013 Targa NZ winner Martin Dippie who was driving the Porsche GT3 RS had to deal with the car driving in “limp mode” all day when one of the coil packs faltered.
The crew made a trip to Auckland for new ones to enable them to be able to continue at full pace tomorrow. They lost several places to put them down in 17th position, four minutes off the lead. The Rogers/Reynolds combo sit in second place 19 seconds behind van Klink while rounding out the top three overall at the end of day 1 is Jason Gill and his co-driver Katrina Renshaw in a VW Polo.
The Classic 2WD class saw Bevan Claridge win all six stages with his co driver Campbell Tannock. The Holden VP SS has a 58 second lead over second placed Steven Blackley and co driver Daniel Newton who are in the Ford Escort. While touring to the lunchtime service the Escort’s track control arm came off but they were fortunate to make quick repairs and carry on although they are still trying to get to the bottom of a misfire. Anthony and Jo Butler are running third at the end of the first day.
There was drama in the Time Trials when one of the Porsche’s went off the road and down a bank. Fortunately the owners walked away unscathed. The current leaders of this field are Dallis Yates/Alise Inger in a Toyota MR2 followed by Robert Moston and John Munro in a Jaguar C Type. Third is the Jensen Healey of Murray and Ken Hawkes.
Tomorrow will see the cars compete seven stages and finish up in Rotorua.
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