In the
FIA Production Car World Rally Championship category, Niall McShea is now top – and in 14th place overall. McShea took the lead in the second test today, when Armindo Araujo lost time with a broken differential.
Gabriel Pozzo is McShea's nearest threat in the PWRC, a minute back, while current championship leader, Toshi Arai has hauled himself up from tenth overnight to third, only 1.2 secs off taking the runners-up spot.
Fumio Nutahara and NZ Rally champion, Richard Mason complete the top five in the Production class, the latter was second until his car got stuck in gear in Te Akau North.
Day 1 ‘works' retirees Manfred Stohl and Xavier Pons both re-started this morning under the SupeRally.
Pons did not last long however and rolled out in SS8, while pushing to try and make up some of the lost time. He will not be able to rejoin the fold again on Sunday as his
Subaru Impreza was too badly damaged in the off.
Stohl in contrast made good progress moving up the leader-board from 34th position last night to 16th going into service E, sandwiched between all the PWRC runners.
The action now continues Sunday, which is the shortest leg of the rally - but which also includes some of the most spectacular stages of the event.
Based around the west coast town of Raglan, the itinerary comprises two identical loops of three stages, including the famous Whaanga Coast which hugs the Tasman Sea coastline.
The event ends with a third and final pass over the short Mystery Creek super special stage. After leaving Hamilton at 07.40 hours, drivers tackle 95.94km of competition before the finish at 15.15 hours [all times local].
