Jim Donald for Coast rally

Press, 10 March 1983, Page 18

Jim Donald for Coast rally

By JOHN FRIDD Jim Donald leads the entries for the Westland Car Club's rally on March 19. The rally is the first round of the 1983 Mainland series. Donald, of Auckland, the national champion in 1980 and 1981, won last year’s Coast rally in his Sanyo Escort RS but this year will drive a less powerful Laser Sport turbo, which will put him on more of an even footing with the top South Islanders entered. These include Carl Rabbidge, of Timaru, who was second last year in a twolitre Datsun 120 Y and now drives a Datsun Stanza. Alan Hewlett (Kumara, Escort RS2000), who won in 1981, will lead the local team and will be ably backed by Noel Thomson (Greymouth), who scored a fine third over-all last year in his Escort 1600. Brian Walker, of Christchurch, will make a comeback in his Walker Ladders Escort RSIBOO and other RSIBOO drivers include Lloyd and Hugh Owen (Blenheim) and Ken McDonald (Christchurch). Other top Mainlanders include Bruce Reid (Christchurch, Mazda RX3), Brian Stokes (Rangiora, Escort 1600), Peter Johnson (Christchurch, Chevette 2.3) and Alex Maurenbrecher (Christchurch, Escort RS1600).

Two top Southlanders, Barry Robinson and Inky

Tulloch, will not compete. Tulloch will be driving his Capri Chev at Manfeild and Robinson was not impressed by the rough Coast roads last year. However, Robinson will contest the other Mainland series rounds and should be very fast this season, as he is building a 2.6-litre four valves per cylinder motor for his Chevette, having sold his Gemini ZZ. The small-car class should be particularly close, with four top Datsun 1200 SSS drivers, Tony Blair (Nelson), Roger Townsend (Christchurch), John Campbell (Timaru) and Dave McCahon (Christchurch) battling with John Sergei (Christchurch, Toyota Starlet 1300). Drivers on the Coast rally will face seven high-speed gravel special stages totalling 140 km, with another 100 km of touring stages. The winner will get at least $lOOO, and with $4OOO cash plus trade prizes offered, the Westland car Club claims that its event is the richest invitation rally held in New Zealand. A full field of 70 cars is expected to face the starter in Greymouth at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 19. The survivors will arrive back in Greymouth about dusk the same day. The rally is sponsored by Greymouth Motors, Tasman Treads and Kings Hotel.