Campbell eyes Clubmans

Tauranga's Phil Campbell will be out to repeat his 2014 victory in the Tauranga Clubmans Rally next weekend. Picture / Greg Henderson Photography

It's clear that an event organiser has their formula correct when there is already a fully subscribed entry - plus a reserve list - more than two weeks before the action begins.

Last week Motorsport BOP Inc already had a full 50-car field registered for the popular Tauranga Clubmans and Novice Rally on Sunday July 26.

The seven-stage gravel rally is primarily aimed at new rally competitors but has once again attracted a varied field of front-running crews, club competitors and several drivers making their rally debuts.

The rally runs under the Motorsport New Zealand Clubmans Rally permit conditions - two of which are a maximum field of 50 cars and a competitive distance not exceeding 80km.

It also means no pre-rally reconnaissance of the special stages or pace notes are permitted.

Repeating the format of the last two years, the 2015 rally will be based at the Te Matai Motorsport Hub within the TECT All Terrain Park - which provides the venue for the service park, rally headquarters and one of the special stages.

The compact route includes closed public roads in the Pyes Pa and Oropi districts, some fast Ngawaro Forest roads and a single run through the 4.05km Te Matai Motorsport Park loop adjacent to the service park.

The rally line-up includes crews from as far as Northland, the Wellington region and Gisborne as well as a strong turnout of Bay of Plenty, Waikato and Auckland competitors.

Tauranga's Phil Campbell - who currently holds second place in the New Zealand Rally Championship - is expected to lead the field in his Mitsubishi Lancer Evo9.

Campbell is looking to repeat his 2014 victory.

Among the other likely front runners are Subaru Impreza drivers Brad Ayling (Taranaki), Chris Tregilgas (Rotorua) and Wayne Pittams (Tauranga).

Mount Maunganui's David Holder will make his return to action after a crash at the opening NZ Championship round in April with his ex-Hayden Paddon Mitsubishi Lancer Evo8 while former national championship front runner Todd Bawden is returning to gravel competition.

The rally starts at 8.45am from the TECT All Terrain Park and after seven special stages, 101km of touring stages and three 20-minute visits to the service park the first car is set to finish at 2pm.