Perfect Start To Season For Campbell

Perfect Start To Season For Campbell

Credit Euan Cameron.

Tauranga’s Phil Campbell has made a great start to his 2013 Brian Green Property Group New Zealand Rally Championship campaign with a hard-fought class win at the opening round, Drivesouth Rally Otago, held around Dunedin over the weekend.

Stepping up into a new ‘R2’ specification Ford Fiesta, Campbell and co-driver Venita Fabbro started the event in a strong manner, holding the homologated two-wheel drive class lead into the opening service break, but involved in an intense battle with the identical car of Josh Marston.

Campbell continued on stage winning pace throughout the remainder of the day but was forced to settle for second at the end of the opening leg, albeit just 18 seconds away from the rally lead.

Day two’s stages better suited Campbell’s driving style and the 26-year old turned the deficit into a lead on the opening special stage of the second day, then powering the Letts Construction Ford Fiesta to another fastest stage time on the day’s second stage to open up a lead of more than 16 seconds.

But the intense battle continued and heading into the final stage of the rally, that lead had shrunk to just 1.4 seconds. But Campbell held his nerve to produce a blistering time and take the rally win by more than 10 seconds, also claiming five bonus points for fastest in the ‘Power Stage’ for his efforts.

“I’m really stoked to take the win, especially first time out in the new car,” said Campbell at the rally finish. “It was great fun battling with Josh all weekend and in the end we came away with a dream result.”

Campbell now leads the series with 42 points, eight clear of second placed Marston, as the NZRC heads towards round two, Rally Whangarei, on May 17-19.

ENDS

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