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.
Van Klink Motorsport
Media Release
6 August 2013
Kaiapoi driver, Marcus van Klink, is looking to repeat his 2012 Canterbury Rally result and score another podium finish at his home event, set to be held this weekend as the fourth round of the New Zealand Rally Championship (NZRC).
Last month van Klink, with loyal co-driver Dave Neill who is also based in Christchurch, took maximum points at the Daybreaker Rally after winning both the event’s Historic Challenge class along with the ‘power stage’. The power stage is a pre-elected stage, selected by rally organisers, where crews can score bonus points for setting the fastest time.
“We need to bank as many points as possible at this event,” said van Klink, “there is still a lot of rallying to do before the end of the NZRC season so a solid points’ finish is essential for our championship goals.
“It will be pretty tough with both Deane [Buist] and Jeff [Judd] also competing though. They’re both locals and have great knowledge of the roads so it’s definitely a level playing field.”
Van Klink and Neill competed in the 2012 Canterbury Rally in a Toyota Corolla AE86 and finished first in class and fifth overall, a result they will be trying to replicate again in 2013 but this time in van Klink’s Chesters Plumbing Mazda RX7.
“The Chesters Plumbing Mazda was superb at Daybreaker and the setup was brilliant, so we’re hoping the current set up will also suit the tricky Canterbury forest roads,” said van Klink.
Experienced co-driver, Neill, who has been competing on the Canterbury roads for years, says he’s not sure on the current road conditions but they should be fine for the team and the Chesters Plumbing Mazda.
“I don’t know what the road conditions will be like, but I’m sure the roads will be good condition as they usually are here in Canterbury. Obviously we’ll have a good look at recce and assess the situation from there,” said Neill.
A recce is when competing crews are escorted by rally organisers across the course to check road conditions and write pace notes, which are a detailed set of instructions telling the driver what to expect ahead, including corners, jumps and slippery sections.
But the most enjoyable part of the rally will be competing at home, in front of their families and the dozens of local supporters who have helped both van Klink and Neill through their various rallying campaigns over the years.
“It’s great to be back doing a home event where our local fans and friends can finally see the car in rally action,” said van Klink, “all of us, including our dedicated service crew who will also be bringing their families along, are really looking forward to the rally on home soil.”
The 2013 Canterbury Rally sees the event return to the NZRC for the first time since 2000, and is set to start from The Palms mall in Shirley, Christchurch at 4.30pm, where rally fans can meet the drivers of the championship, on Saturday 10 August, 2013 following a driver signing session which starts at 3.00pm. Crews will then contest over 144 kilometers of closed special stages through the Ashley and Okuku Forests on Sunday 11 August, 2013, with multiple service breaks in Rangiora before finishing back at The Palms at approximately 4.30pm.
Van Klink’s NZRC campaign is supported by Chesters Plumbing and Bathrooms, AMT Mechanical, Castrol Oil, Universal Plumbing, Buteline Al Marsh Rotorsport and Palmside.
Media Release: Alana McIsaac (August, 2013)
