Motorsport: Hawkeswood relieved to finally have title

Andrew Hawkeswood on his way to winning the New Zealand Rally Championship. Photo / Geoff Ridder

There was some elation but relief was the overwhelming feeling for Kiwi rally driver Andrew Hawkeswood as he finished third at Rally New Zealand yesterday and claimed a maiden New Zealand Rally Championship.

Hawkeswood held off the challenge of Matt Summerfield and Ben Hunt to claim the series victory in his Mazda 2 AP4 after safely negotiating his way through the two-day season finale based out of Tauranga.

"Just absolute relief," he told The Herald after reaching the end. "I really struggled during the weekend trying to find a good pace that didn't involve taking any risks.

"It got harder and harder as the event went on. Even the last couple of corners – it seemed to take forever.

"I never thought it would affect me like that.

"It was an absolute relief to get over the line."

Hawkeswood was rallying before nearest challenger Summerfield was even born and has been a regular championship contender over the past two decades.

Andrew Hawkeswood and co-driver Jeff Cress celebrate their NZRC title. Photo / Geoff Ridder

Winning a championship had never been that important for the Aucklander until later in his career.

"It feels fantastic. I have been around for about 22 years but I have only had six real cracks at the title and we've had a second and two thirds in the years where I have tried for the championship.

"I have never been a trophy hunter and I sat back a few years ago – when you get into your 40s you look at what you have achieved and what you haven't achieved and it suddenly dawned on me that it was something I needed to do."

The win was popular around the service park. Hawkeswood is well liked and has played a major role in the introduction of the new-style AP4 cars that have reinvigorated the championship in recent seasons.

"A lot of people are happy that we took it out," Hawkeswood said.

"Matt drove the wheels off that car and he was just waiting for me to make a mistake but I wasn't going to make one.

"Unfortunately Ben had that problem on Saturday and that took him out of contention. He was right there and was very gracious and respectful."

Hawkeswood is focusing more on his car building business and has some other projects he's interested in getting into in 2018 but will take some time to weigh up whether to defend the title next year.