Home
News
Whangarei Gears Up for Round 2

Whangarei Gears Up for Round 2

May 2, 2019

This weekend’s running of the ENEOS International Rally of Whangarei bring drivers and cars from Japan, Ireland, United States of America, Australia and around New Zealand to the Northland region to test themselves on the cambered fast-flowing rural roads.

The second round of the FIA Asia Pacific Rally Championship (APRC), changes to its structure have drawn a strong local interest at shooting for the international title.

Headed by four-time International Rally of Whangarei winner Hayden Paddon (Wanaka), he will be joined by Samantha Gray (Timaru) in last year’s winning Hyundai i20 AP4 car. While vying for a fifth event win Paddon will be competing alongside five others chasing points for the APRC title.

The new format puts Kiwi’s in strong contention for the title – last achieved by Possum Bourne in 2000.

Whangarei has long played host to the APRC and drivers like Paddon, who are prominent on the world stage. The 2019 event includes a number of subtle changes to the journey across the fast-flowing Northland rural roads.

“It’s always a favourite event and one I look forward to testing myself on,” said 32-year-old Paddon.
“There are a few new stages as well as re-configuration of old stages so there will be some tests for us with new notes to write. It looks like it will be dry so there will be a lot less grip which isn’t in my favour.

“My main goal is to better my previous times. We’ve set targets for the year and they are around lowering stage times.

“I always want to be going faster – that’s the best part of rallying and as a sportsperson, it’s the pursuit of becoming better that I enjoy most, rather than being affected by outside influences.”

Another change he’s used to has been a different navigator in the car.

“We’ve had a bit of co-driver roulette in the past year. It’s a great opportunity for Samantha and I’m very impressed with her pre-event preparation and testing she’s done with us – she’s very committed. For someone who’s wanting to make it internationally she’s doing really well,” he said of the Timaru based addition to the team.

In Paddon’s shadow and in with a strong shot of an APRC result are the father and son two-car team of Andrew and Jack Hawkesood. Driving similar specification Mazda 2 AP4 cars it will be a first attempt of the Northland roads by 18-year-old Jack Hawkeswood.

Making a return to the APRC, Australian based Kiwi Mike Young and co-driver Malcolm Read return in the Cusco backed Toyota Yaris while Japanese pairing Suguru Kawana and Noriko Takeshita compete in a second Cusco prepared car – a Toyota Vitz.

Missing out on points at the opening round held at Dunedin mid-April; Mt Manganui based Dave Holder and co-driver Jason Farmer make a fresh start in their Holden Barina AP4.

While the weekend’s action will take place across closed sections of rural road the event starts on the Friday with a driver signing and ceremonial function on Whangarei’s river crossing Te Matau ā Pohe bridge from 5pm.

The teams then contest a double-run of the adjacent 1.25km Pohe Island Super Special stage that this year includes a purpose-built 1m high jump.

On the Saturday teams head north to tackle eight special stages comprising four groups of roads. Starting with the 20.39km ‘Marlow’ near Otakairangi the next stage is the 17.22km ‘Tapuhi’, followed by the 15.97km Crow’s Nest near Towai and the 14.82km ‘Helena’ near Helena Bay. Teams return to Whangarei for a 20-minute service break before repeating the loop in the afternoon.

Sunday journey’s south covers a further four stages, repeated. Starting with the 15.23km ‘Tangihua’ south of Whatitiri, then the 16.40km ‘Waiotira’, 8.32km ‘Millbrook’ and infamous 22.55km ‘Waipu Caves’. Teams then return to Whangarei for a service break and then repeat the course, returning for a ceremonial finish at the Quayside Town Basin from 3pm.

Source: Event Release
Photos: Geoff Ridder

Share this post: