A little bit sideways Rallying in New Zealand, where we like to get A Little Bit Sideways! Up to date Rally News from teams around the country together with event reports.
Christchurch driver, Jeff Judd, has maintained his historic class championship lead in the New Zealand Rally Championship (NZRC) after finishing in third at the Possum Bourne Memorial Rally held over the weekend.
Judd, joined by co-driver Malcolm Read of Hamilton, kept to his promise of a steady drive, ensuring he maintains the overall championship lead heading into the final round of the NZRC, Rally Wairarapa set to be held n a month.
“We didn’t aim to be the fastest team out there, we just wanted to finish to score the points we needed to stay ahead,” said Judd.
Judd and his BNT team now sit only seven points in the NZRC historic class championship ahead of the charging pack of Deane Buist and Marcus van Klink.
“Fortunately for us, Marcus [van Klink] was fast during the rally, so won the event. That meant we were able to keep our lead in the championship, otherwise it could have been a different story.”
“We have a big job ahead of us heading into Wairarapa. I think all of the guys [Deane Buist and Marcus van Klink] have done Rally Wairarapa in the past few years so it will be a real challenge to secure the championship there.”
“With everyone being so close heading into the final round, I’m sure it’s going to be all or nothing.”
Judd also says the BNT Ford Escort performed perfectly all weekend and hopes it will be a repeat at Rally Wairarapa to ensure a solid result and hopefully, a championship win.
The BNT Ford Escort has been left in the north island in preparation for the final round, where it will undergo a complete check of all major parts but Judd says there will be no changes to the car.
“Escorts make great rally cars because they often don’t need much work between rallies, apart from the normal checks and maintenance. Our BNT Escort doesn’t need anything changed or fixed so it’s just a matter of checking everything now.”
The final round of the New Zealand Rally Championship is Rally Wairarapa, set to be held on Saturday 5 October around Masterton. Crews will compete across 134.11 kilometres of closed special stages to the north of Masterton over one day of competition.
Judd’s 2013 NZRC campaign is supported by BNT, Magnum Compliance, Fuchs and Waimate Pharmacy
Media Release: Alana McIsaac (September, 2013)
