Rally Xtreme Counts Down to Start

Rally Xtreme Counts Down to Start

The countdown continues to the start of the 2013 Total Lubricants Rally Xtreme Challenge, with the first round at the MTA Rally of Maramarua now less than a week away.

Providing 120km of competition, as for last year it will be a quick fire series of 9 stages that will keep the crews on their toes. However, what is different for this event is the reverse seeding, meaning that the 2 wheel drive classes will lead the pack, with the faster 4 wheel drive chargers last on the road. The excitement will continue to build for the spectators on each stage, as they wait for the fastest to appear.

“We are trying to give the 2WD vehicles the opportunity to drive over smoother forest roads, the majority of our 4WD vehicles these day have the suspension to be able to handle slightly cut up roads” says Dale Perry. “I have seen this format work well in Europe and the organising committee thought we would trial it this year.”

Although this isn’t unique in New Zealand. Targa has run in reverse order for many years, so there it will be interesting to see how it will work on the relatively short forest stages.

Returning to the Rally Xtreme Challenge are a number of the top competitors and class winners from last year. Alex Kelsey will have the choice of two cars, his Subaru Impreza from last year, and a Peugeot 207 that he has just finished building. A string of Mitsubishi Lancers, in different evolutions, will be piloted by the likes of Dylan Turner, Neil Marshall, Shannon Chambers, Graham Featherston, Clinton Cunningham, Quentin Palmer and Sloan Cox.

However one of the biggest challenges will be for last years Club 2WD class winner Paul de Rose. After an outstanding season in his Mitsubishi Mirage, finishing as high as 12th overall at both Hawkes Bay and Rally of the North, he is moving on to 4WD and straight into a Lancer Evo 7. “I would like to achieve some top results over the 2013 season, but my first priority is to keep the wheels firmly on the ground and finish all rounds “, says Paul.

Also joining the Total Lubricants Rally Xtreme Challenge this year are a number of individual round sponsors. “We are delighted to welcome Team Ralliart Mitsubishi Motorsports as our first individual round sponsor”, say Tanya Gwynne. “Without businesses and sponsors such as Team Ralliart, the Rally Xtreme series would not be achievable, and the Rally Xtreme committee wish to express our sincere thanks.”

Certainly the combination of strong support from both competitors and sponsors means that 2013 is looking to be a fantastic season for Rally Xtreme. And the excitement starts on 20th April with exhaust notes ringing through the trees of the Maramarua forest.

For more information visit

MTA Rally of Maramarua
www.hamiltoncarclub.org.nz/

Total Lubricants Rally Xtreme Challenge
www.rallyxtreme.co.nz

Results will be available on www.chrissport.co.nz

Paul de Rose showing his style at Rally Hawkes Bay 2012
Photo Credit: Jody Seabright
Calendar: Total Lubricants RALLY XTREME Challenge 2013
Round 1 - 20 April - MTA Rally of Maramarua
Round 2 - 2 June - Tomoana Warehousing Hawkes Bay Rally
Round 3 - 29 June - GoPro Daybreaker Rally, Manawatu
Round 4 - 17 August - Pahia Rally, Rally of the North
Round 5 - 7 September - Possum Bourne Memorial Rally

ENDS

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