2002 - Round One Preview
Winger Subaru / Rock FM Top Half Series - Hamilton Rally"

Thanks to our sponsors - Redhills Benz, Valvoline, STS Subaru Reckers.

The 6th April 2002 is the first round of the Winger Subaru / Rock FM Top Half Series. Based in the roads around the Pio Pio District, south of Hamilton, it is a gravel event.

• Length: Comprises of 145 km of special stages and 269 km of touring.

• First Car Starts: At Pio Pio Primary School, Aria Road, Pio Pio at 8.00am.

• First Car Finishes: At (approx.) 5.00 pm at the final control which is situated at Hamilton Car Club, Vaile Road, Hamilton.

We will have a new gearbox and clutch for this event, as last weekend we had a DNF at the Pukekohe Rallysprint, due to a broken clutch spring. It is going to be a bit of a challenge, as we have had only 30km in the car so far this season, and will be still getting used to the changes done over the Xmas break.

Looking at the stage descriptions below, it looks like the rally will favor the cars with the top-end power, as it will be run on fast flowing gravel roads. We are seeded 55th which will mean we will have a clean line through the stages, as all the cars in front will have swept the gravel to the outside of the corners. But, this will mean we will have to watch our lines, as once you get into the gravel which is pushed to the outside of the corners, the car becomes very difficult to bring back, and this is what caught us out last year at Whakatane,

For more information, please click here to visit the Motorsport New Zealand Rally Website

STAGE DESCRIPTIONS
Stage 1: Length 14.5kmsStarts twisty for 2kms opens out with blind brows, flowing corners for 8 kms, then tight twisty down hill to finish.
Stage 2: Length 16kmsStarts off narrow before opening out to good flowing corners. Watch bridge early in stage.
Stage 3: Length 30kmsStarts tight for 10kms. Opens out through ridges before tight twisting downhill to finish.
Stage 4: Length 11.6kmsFast flowing corners mainly, with a few tighter corners to keep you on your toes.
Stage 5: Length 14.5kmsSame as Stage 1
Stage 6: Length 16kmsSame as stage 2
Stage 7: Length 11.6kmsStage 4 in reverse.
Stage 8: Length 30kmsTwists uphill before opening out through ridges. Tightens again for last
10kms. Stage 3 in reverse.

Thx

Simon Bell and Sam Ackland
Redhills Rallyteam