Rally Xtreme Entries Dominate Maramarua Rally

Rally Xtreme Entries Dominate Maramarua Rally

The release of the seeded entry list for the MTA Rally of Maramarua has highlighted the popularity of the Total Lubricants Rally Xtreme Challenge this season, with 38 of the 45 entries contesting the event having registered for the Challenge.

Geof Argyle returns to defend his overall title, along with Alex Kelsey, Dylan Turner, and Neil Marshall to battle it out for the XT open class and knock Argyle off his perch. However some new entries to the challenge will be pushing them hard, with Sloan Cox, Wayne Pittams, Kingsley Jones and Robbie Leicester all entering the fray early.

But the spectators in the Maramarua forest will be waiting a while to see these hard chargers, as this event is running a reverse seeding, meaning that the 2WD contenders will be first on the roads.

hat sees the youngest competitor in Xtreme, 17 year old Max Bayley as third on the road in his Toyota Levin. Behind him are a number of 2WD competitors who are set to delight the crowds. Mark Parsons in his TR7 and Charlie Evans in his RX7 are both well known from their many years of gravel bashing, while Dave Strong brings out his older Honda Civic for this event. Contrasting with this classic machinery is the brand new Ford Fiesta R2 of Phil Campbell, who is looking to get in extra seat time and continue to develop this pocket rocket.

Certainly the entry list looks like there will be something for everyone to watch, at this first round of the Rally Xtreme Challenge. “We are delighted with the level and quality of entries so far”, says Tanya Gwynne. Something that will also be pleasing to the Challenge round 1 sponsor Team Ralliart Mitsubishi Motorsports.

With all of the talk stopping and the action starting on Saturday 20th April, it is time to see who will stand up and stamp their mark on the event. More than just pride is at stake too, with the Brian Green Property Group presenting a “Driver of the Rally” award, which will give that person a free entry into the next round, and Rally Drive NZ putting $500 cash up for grabs on the “Power Stage”, contested at this event by drivers in the XT1 - 4WD Pre 2000 class.

Certainly the 9 stages and 120km of competition will provide a good opening test for the Xtreme competitors.

For entries and results, see www.chrissport.co.nz

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

Neil Marshall shows his style at the Daybreaker Rally last year
Photo Credit: Jody Seabright

ENDS

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