Malley Steps On The Podium At Whangarei

Malley Steps On The Podium At Whangarei

Patrick Malley has taken away a podium finish on day one of Rally Whangarei after an astonishing battle saw him finish the day neck and neck with fellow Mitsubishi driver Chris West in a tie for third place in the New Zealand Rally Championship.

With support from Gull Fuels, Malley was fourth fastest on the days opening stage, conceding less than seven seconds to second place Emma Gilmour as part of a four way battle.

Fourth was as low as Malley would slip all day and a string of top five stage times combined with a win on the spectator friendly Pohe Island stage saw Malley holding down third place when the teams headed to service at the Whangarei town basin.

The afternoon saw Malley battle intensely with former national rally champion Chris West. With both drivers competing in Mitsubishi Evo 9’s, it was a real driver’s battle. West took the opening blow, but Malley came back on the following stage to lead by 7.5 seconds with just 10 kilometres of special stage remaining.

Despite his best efforts, Malley conceded time to West on the final real stage of the day and with just the spectator stage around Pohe Island remaining.

In what would go down as one of the most exciting finishes in the New Zealand Rally Championship, after 144 kilometres of special stages, Malley and West recorded the exact same total time to the tenth of a second.

Today’s competition includes another eight special stages and Malley has his eyes set on the podium, aiming for third overall in the field that includes the Asia Pacific Rally Championship.

ENDS

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