Donald frustrated

Press, 9 June 1980, Page 6

Donald frustrated

A frustrating two minutes at a deep ford waiting for a stuck car to be cleared was enough to cost Jim Donald, of Auckland, victory in the second round of the, national rally championship at the week-end. Donald (Masport-Escort), led for most of the 520 km. event in the Masterton area, but on the penultimate special stage he came across Tony Teesdale (Tokorua), whose Escort was stuck in a ford. The time lost was sufficient to give the rainaffected rally to Donald’s archrival, Paul Adams (Auckland. Chevette). Donald finished second, Imin 20s behind Adams, to retain his lead in the national championship. The second G.M. Deaker team Chevette driver, Shane Murland, of Wellington, scored a fine third ahead of Hugh Armstrong (Masterton, Escort). Trevor Crowe, of Christchurch, added to his win in last week-end’s Hamilton rally when he came home fifth in his Escort, ahead of Teesdale and. six minutes .behind Adams. Two Timani drivers, Wayne Murdoch (Avenger 1600) and Carl ■ Rabbidge (Escort 1800), filled seventh and eighth places — they were not nationalchampionship entries but had gone north to settle a feud with the top North Islanders about which island produces the best drivers.

Colin Tubb, of Twizel, finished second in the small-car class in his Toyota Corolla, behind Ray Wilson (Auckland; Mini); ahd Peter Johnson, of Christchurch, was twenty-ninth in his Chevette 1600 in the car’s second event.;

At the half-way stage in this national championship, Donald leads with 35. points, followed by Teesdale (21) and Adams'(2o).