Rallying: Rotorua driver Sloan Cox finishes second in Waitomo

Rotorua rally driver Sloan Cox finished second at Rally Waitomo. Photo/File

Rotorua rally driver Sloan Cox has backed up his victory at the Ashley Forest Sprint last month with a second-place finish at Rally Waitomo.

The car ran faultlessly with no mechanical issues which allowed Cox and co-driver Sarah Coatsworth to display their talent and speed, proving that consistency and reliability is back with the Taslo Engineering Mitsubishi Evo X. They finished 22 seconds behind winner Ben Hunt, of Hamilton.

Rally Waitomo, held at the weekend, was the penultimate event of the New Zealand Rally Championship and Cox's podium finish has moved him into fifth place overall going into the final round in the Bay of Plenty next month.

Cox said the rally was raced on "some of my favourite roads I have driven in a long time".

"The fast and flowing pace suited my driving style and the car really well. It was the style of roads that rewarded the brave. I was very happy with the notes that Sarah and I wrote on a one-pass recce," he said.

Reconnaissance began with an early start on Friday with the pair finishing late Friday night feeling confident they had captured all the information required.

Saturday's event had the service crew chasing the rally car around the rural roads of Piopio and Ohura. Servicing in different locations, they made a plan and with the team working harmoniously it all paid off. Cox and Coatsworth said they could not have done it without their experienced service crew and support team.

"It was an awesome weekend for everyone in the team to get the results that we have been working hard for this season - also great to win two stages including the power stage. The roads were in fantastic condition and it was a well run event, we hope it will feature on the rally calendar next year," Cox said.

He said he and Cox Motorsport were grateful for all their sponsors and supporters who stood by them throughout a "rough season".

The team will now turn their sights closer to home and focus on keeping the car reliable and consistent for the final round run over two days in the Raglan and Bay of Plenty areas.

Rally Waitomo Results

1. Hunt/Rawstorn 2:12:50.7
2. Cox/Coatsworth +22.0
3. Bayley/Hudson +43.3
4. Hawkeswood/Cress +1:18.1
5. Gilmour/McLoughlin +1:21.3

NZ Rally Championship Points

Hawkeswood 109
Hunt 99
Summerfield 98
Holder 75
Cox 68

Points by Manufacturer

Subaru 116
Mazda 105
Ford 93
Mitsubishi 82
Suzuki 71
Hyundai 43
Holden 39
Toyota 3
Audi 22