Top drivers in rally

Press, 18 March 1982, Page 40

Top drivers in rally

By

JOHN FRIDD

A trio of top North Island rally drivers, including the national champion, Jim Donald, will start in the rich Westland rally on Saturday. Donald does not intend defending his title in this year's national series, so the Westland organisers scored- a coup by securing his entry in their event, in which the Aucklander will start at No. 1 in his Sanyo Escort RS. Mark Jennings (Wellington, Escort RS), will start at No. 3 behind the top South Island driver; Barry Robinson (Wyndham, Chevette 2.3). The

1979 national champion, Paul Adams (Auckland), has been seeded seventh in his little Toyota Starlet 1300, and should have little trouble wrapping up the small-car class. Carl Rabbige (Timaru, Datsun 120 Y 2 litre), the defending Mainland rally series champion, will start fourth in Greymouth Motors Forestone Tasman-sponsored event, which is the second round of the Mainland series. Alan Hewlett (Kumara, Escort RS2000) will be a threat at No. 5 with his local knowledge and behind him will start the talented young Christchurch man, Brian

Walker (Escort RS). the 250 km rally, which kicks off at Greymouth at noon on Saturday and finishes there eight hours later, will include seven high-speed special stages totalling 165 km on the roads inland from Greymouth and Hokitika. A capacity field of 80 cars is expected for the .$4OOO event. The top seedings are: Donald 1. Robinson 2. Jennings 3, Rabbtdge 4. Hewlett 5, Walker 6, Adams 7, D. Parkes (Nelson. Escort 1600) 8, R. Bailey (Springston, Escort RS2000) 9. G. Crawford (Gore. Mazda RX323) 10, D. Bond (Balclutha. Chevette 2.3) 11. B. Reid (Christchurch. Mazda RX3) 12.