Murphy returns to the gravel for Westland Rally

While admitting the strengths of the Escort for a rookie driver and the confidence it gives, Murphy will step up to a 1979 Vauxhall Chevette. The Chevette had a stellar reputation in its day and Murphy will now have a whole lot more horse power with its 2.3 litre motor. Tomorrow’s rally is about finishing as Murphy and co-driver Mark Leonard get ready for the twoday Rally Otago in three weeks’ time.

Leonard is ideal to be alongside Murphy having won the Westland Rally back in 1995. Murphy and 55 other drivers all have different objectives for tomorrow’s rally which is the first of six in the Mainland Rally Championship. Last year’s winning pair of Darren Galbraith/James Bracefield (Mitsubishi Evo 6) seek to defend their title while Cantabrian’s Jeff Judd/Grant Mara (Subaru WRX) look to make it their’s after some hard luck in 2015.

Having duelled for the lead with Galbraith over eight stages, Judd led the rally heading into the last 23 km stage only to have a suspension arm break. Also in the mix are 2015 Mainland series champion Blenheim’s Richard Bateman/Sharisse Guckert (Mitsubishi Evo 8) and brother and sister pairing of Matt Summerfield/ Nicole Summerfield (Subaru WRX).

While the Summerfields will be in contention their objective is about having a good shakedown in preparation for Otago, the opening round of the NZ Rally Championship. Drivers will tackle nine Special Stages comprising 126 km, along with 330 km of touring. ‘Battle of the Stocks’ at The Glen A big Woodford Glen Speedway event starts tonight as 32 Super Stocks fight for two six-foot tall trophies. 16 top North Island drivers are paired with 16 from the south. The pairs compete in seven heats over Friday and Saturday nights. While one driver goes to win, the other attempts to just finish while taking out other competitors but also seeks to finish.