Hunt in rampant rally form

Ben Hunt has extended his lead in the Brian Green Property Group New Zealand Rally Championship after claiming victory at the South Canterbury Hydraulics Rally South Canterbury.

The defending champion, pictured, was dominant in the May 10 event and won by one minute and 56 seconds in his Skoda New Zealand Fabia Rally 2. The result backs up his opening round victory at Otago last month.

Josh Marston, in a RDL Holden Barina AP4, was second and Robbie Stokes completed the podium at the wheel of his Stokes Motorsport Skoda Rally 2.

Dylan Thomson finished fourth in his older model Subaru Impreza, while Jack Hawkeswood, Emma Gilmour, Jack Stokes and Haydn Mackenzie all failed to finish.

Bryn Jones, in a Ford Fiesta Rally 4, followed his opening round win with more success in the NZRC 2WD class – coming home ahead of Tim Mackersy by 40 seconds.

Dave Strong also secured back-to-back victories in the Open 2WD class in his high-powered Honda Jazz after beating Paul Cross.

Deane Buist took out the Historic 2WD class, Caleb Macdonald extended his lead in the Rally Challenge 4WD class, and Josh Keighley topped the Group A Challenge.

Darren Galbraith won the Rally Challenge 2WD class in his Ford Fiesta.

Round three of the championship is the Lonestar Rally Canterbury in Christchurch on June 1.

Drivers’ standings

1. Ben Hunt, 72 points
2. Robbie Stokes, 61pts
3. Josh Marston, 50pts
4. Deane Buist, 35pts 
5. Bryn Jones, 33pts