Rally drivers back in action
Scott Jones is all revved for the return of car rallying to South Canterbury this weekend.
The Pleasant Point crop farmer has his 2003 Mitsubishi Evo 8 ready to roll against 58 other entrants from around New Zealand for Saturday’s event that was postponed in June because of Covid-19.
‘‘I’m pleased they pushed on through with all this Covid stuff to make this event happen, it’s good for the community,’’ said Jones, who is the top-seeded South Cantabrian at 15th.
‘‘It’s all about the fun at the end of the day.’’
The 35-year-old said he had dreamed of rally racing as child.
‘‘I love the speed and going sideways on the gravel. I’ve always wanted to do it.’’
He set about getting into rallying into 2008 and does much of the mechanical maintenance work himself.
‘‘I know enough about it to get myself through.’’
Jones said co-driver/navigator Shane Reynolds, from Temuka, will be along side.
‘‘He is Irish and I can barely understand him,’’ he joked.
South Canterbury Car Club secretary Howard Atwill said they were excited to be back at alert level 1 with no restrictions.
He said the action kicks off at McKinnon Rd, Waitohi, from 9.55am on Saturday and continues over eight stages around Waitohi, Fairlie and Albury.
’’South Canterbury can get out and enjoy the spirit,’’ he said.
‘‘I’m pleased they pushed on through with all this Covid stuff to make this event happen, it’s good for the community.’’ Scott Jones
Predicted start times for the special stages are: 9.55am McKinnon Rd; 10.40am Hall Rd; 12.25pm Rockwood Rd; 1pm Spur Rd; 1.35pm Middle Valley; 3.10pm Cricklewood; 3.45pm Askins Rd; 4.30 Limestone Valley Rd.