2005 Rally of the North

Run on the amazing roads around the Bay of Islands, the event consisted of 8 stages and 170km. We were seeded at 52 for the event and were in with a chance to win our class outright for 2005.

Stage one was a fast stage with a lot of gravel. We flew through here to be 16th= at the ned on 3min 30secs.

Stage two was a tricky run, where 500m in we lost about 10sec with a wrong gear change. Coming out of a hairpin right, I slotted 1st gear, them moved it back int what I thought was 2nd, but turned out to be 4th. After a bit of time I realised what had happend and slotted it back to 2nd and we were off.

Stages 3 and 4 were fantastic, and we finished them in 18th place overall and 3rd in class. We were ahead of the competitors we need to beat for the overall win, so all was going along to plan.

Stage 5 was a really fast stage, but for some reason we were off the pace and dropped some time in the dust towards the finish. The car had developed a miss under load and wasn't pulling as well as it had in the morning.

Stages 6 and 7 sped by with no real dramas, the car was going great considering the slight miss if had, our new Dunlops were holding on and both Warwick and I were having a ball.

Stage 8, one of the best stages in the North Island was a good run throug to be 12o/a for that stage.

We arivved at the finish in 14th place o/a and 2nd in Class E. The 2005 Pre92 4WD title was ours, what a great way to finish the season.

Thanks to Troy and Belinda for being out there to service the car should we of needed it. Thanks also to Dylan Turner and his team for the help they have given us during the season.

Thx

Redhills Rallyesport
Redhills Benz - Mercedes Benz Parts Specialists