Stokes among favourites to win competitive Rally of Canterbury

The third round of the 2022 Mainland Rally Championship starts this weekend and Waikuku's Robbie Stokes, along with sister and co-driver Amy (Ford Fiesta AP4), are looking to continue their form this season after winning the second round of the series at Rally Otago in April.

The pairing will be pressed hard at the Lone Star Rally of Canterbury when racing gets under way in Rangiora at 8.30am on Sunday. In form pair Josh Marston/Andrew Graves (Holden Barina AP4) are seeded second, while third on the road will be national rivals, Jack Hawkeswood/Sarah Brennan (Toyota Vitz AP4), from Auckland.

With five rounds remaining in the Mainland Rally Championship, there is still plenty to play for across all seven separate classes that make up the 47-car field competing over seven Special Stages, totalling over 120km through the Ashley and Okuku forests.

Stokes may have won the last round, however, it is Ray Casey (Subaru Sti Impreza) who holds the overall lead on 43 points, just two ahead of Marcus van Klink (Mazda RX8) with Deane Buist (Toyota Trueno) in third.

Van Klink hasn’t entered the Rally of Canterbury, while Buist will compete in a Ford Fiesta 2005.

With Marston, Stokes, and Ray Wilson (Subaru WRX) all tied in fourth place on 30 points, a new overall leader may emerge on Sunday afternoon.

Autotech Services, RDL Performance and Brita Safety have put up cash prizes for each class winner at the end of the Mainland Rally Championship season.

There is prize money of $500, $250 and $100 for first, second and third respectively in each class, as well as trophies for all classes and overall for both the drivers and co-drivers.

The vehicles will be divided up into seven different classes, according to engine size, year of manufacturer and two or four-wheel-drive.

The ceremonial start will take place outside Lone Star (off Manchester St) on Eaton Place in Christchurch from 4.30pm on Saturday. The event proper starts outside Joe's Garage, Alfred St, Rangiora, at 8.30am on Sunday. Two service areas will be outside Joe's Garage at 10.40am and 2pm.

Due to forestry restrictions, the only viewing will be SS1 and SS7 on the uphill of the rallysprint course (SS1 goes up and SS7 comes down). The rally will finish on Eaton Place outside Lone Star, Manchester St, at 4.30pm on Sunday.