Top seed Andrew Hawkeswood wins Far North Rally

Whangārei driver Tim Hood powers through a stage of the Far North Rally. Photo/ Supplied

Andrew Hawkeswood lived up to his top seed billing by winning the Far North Rally on Saturday.

The New Zealand Rally Champion completed the eight stages making up the one-day event in 1 hour 16 minutes 43.8 seconds, mere seconds ahead of runner-up Phil Campbell, who finished in 1:16:47.7.

Hawkeswood appeared relaxed enough when he was approached by a reporter during the lunch break and extended pit stop at Te Ahu, although he was well aware he had some time to make up after dropping into second during the fourth stage.

Upon winning the national title last year, an achievement he'd been chasing for some time, having finished previous campaigns either as runner-up or in third place overall on the standings, Hawkeswood decided to retire from full time competition.

He still likes to dabble, however, by competing in the odd event and also gets a huge sense of satisfaction supporting - and driving against - his son Jack, who was officially listed as a withdrawal for not completing the eighth and final stage.

"I don't like getting beaten," he said grinning, before adding he was a big fan of the Far North Rally having done the event "a few times" now.

"People are great up here and the organisers put in a massive effort."

Elsewhere, the two Kaitaia drivers, Jay Sharp with co-driver Jonny Andrews, and Hazely Windelborn with Levi Downey suffered mixed fortunes.

Sharp was also listed as a withdrawal despite completing all eight stages after not being given a time for Special Stage 3, where he suffered a temporary breakdown.

Windelborn's third campaign in the event was plagued by a troublesome overheating engine as well as a snapped axel so only managed to complete Special Stages 1, 4, 5 and 8.

But it was the efforts off-road and behind the scenes from Sharp and Windelborn which made the pair so crucial to the running of a successful rally, noted event spokesman Bob Mitchell.

"Haze and Jay are huge for their contribution towards our event. Without their efforts, it would be nowhere near as good," he said.

As always the local back roads claimed a few victims although no one was seriously hurt.

The most spectacular crash was provided by Raana Horan who had to be hauled out of the window of his Skoda after leaving the road and plunging into a gully on Special Stage 8.

Mitchell admitted he was glad to have everything done and dusted after what proved a long and stressful week.

This included the well documented protests last week which forced organisers to alter the route of Special Stage 6 near Parapara at the last minute.

Organisers also had to deal with a group of locals who decided to block off Church Rd, Special Stage 5, after lunch.

Mitchell eventually managed to get those involved to see reason and let the drivers through; he noted their issue lay primarily with the Far North District Council rather than representing any kind of anti-rally stance.

He also, somewhat diplomatically, admitted being respectful of the various concerns raised by the various protests.

Otherwise, the Far North Rally was a major success overall and an improvement on last year.

"It was a difficult day. We got through it," he said, before turning his attention to more positive aspects from Saturday.

"The roads up there are just brilliant. The FNDC roads are built for rallying. We can't say enough about 90 per cent of people in Far North. We have been coming up there nearly, over 20 years. Everyone's so co-operative."