Hall too quick in Catlins rally

Kieran Hall of Brightwater dominated the Catlins Coast Rally in his Mitsubishi EVO 5 on Saturday, winning six of the eight special stages on his way to victory.

Hall received the Darryl Robinson Memorial Trophy for winning the event. He also set a record for special stage 5, beating the old mark by 40sec.

Hall arrived at the finish at the Rosebank Lodge in Balclutha after eight special stages with 2min in hand over fellow Nelson driver Greg Teece in an EVO 6.5. Teece was runner-up to Hall on three stages and was in the top 10 in all but one stage.

However Hall, the winner of the South Canterbury Rally earlier in the season, took the lead after the second stage and from that point on gradually extended the margin as the day progressed.

Clinton driver Derek Ayson, the 2005 and 2006 Mainland Rally champion, was third after a fantastic effort in his two-wheel-drive Ford Escort.

Christchurch driver Jeff Judd put in a series of fast times in his Subaru Impreza, ending the rally in fourth place to become the 2007 Mag & Turbo Warehouse Mainland Rally Series champion.

Timaru driver Paul Dickson ran well all day in his Mitsubishi EVO 3, collecting two second-place stage times on his way to fifth overall.

After the event Hall said he enjoyed the rally.

"It all ran pretty smoothly. It was a good finish to the season. We had nothing to do to the car apart from fuel, water and one set of new tyres."

Hall also paid tribute to "Juddy" (Jeff Judd), Teece, Ayson and "Groove" (Robert McCallum) for their competitiveness throughout the day.

The day was notable for the performance of several of the two-wheel-drive competitors, including many of the local drivers. Ayson was particularly impressive, sharing the win on the 4.33km Barrata Creek stage with Christchurch driver McCallum in a similar car. Ayson finished every stage in the top 10 in a superb drive in his Nissan-powered Escort.

McCallum was another who shone, featuring in the fastest times regularly throughout the eight stages and ending the rally in sixth place.

Another Canterbury driver, Deane Buist, finished seventh in his EVO-powered Toyota Corolla, with Gore driver Paul Cross bringing his Mitsubishi EVO home in eighth place.

Barry Mills was another of the day's stars, frequently recording times among the top 10. He was ninth overall.

Dunedin driver Steve Wellington rounded out the top 10 in his Mitsubishi EVO 3 in another fine drive.

The rally also achieved success of its own, being selected as the best round of the 2007 series.

Support for the rally was provided by the Rosebank Lodge, SouthRoads, MWH and Owaka Motors.

In addition, Century Batteries provided sponsorship to allow television coverage, filmed by Legge Work and screening later on both Prime and Sky Television.

- © Fairfax NZ News