Congratulations to Gary Hawkes for taking out 1st Overall.
Click for a copy of the Results.
Family Fun in the Sun
Racing around a paddock in the sunshine was a great way to finish the year at our last event of 2014, the Sefton Autocross #2. The entry list was full of family members with many wives, partners, daughters and sons sharing cars which added to the excitement and fun rivalry.
Thick green grass set an even playing field for Run 1 across the wide variety of cars. 12-year-old Turner Harris showed his awesome talent with 4th fastest in his dad’s Moke beating him by 3 seconds albiet with Adrian making a slight mistake. Mike Pentecost entered two of his cars which caused him to have a close battle with himself; an immaculately presented Mini Clubman Works Rally Replica versus a 2 litre Honda Integra. His son Hamish was having great first outing ploughing the paddock in his Legacy wagon. The legendary Wilson/Jolly family battle continued from the last Autocross with Graham Wilson sharing his car with daughter Leanne Jolly and son-in-law Kerryn. Although running a little off song Graham’s Suzuki Swift powered Starlet still produced fast times and smiles for all the family. Nigel Tyson and Julie Parry had great fun sharing Nigel’s Corolla DX rally car. Nicola Mulholland impressed with some fast times in partner Gary Hawkes’ Evo 9 rally car.Gary was first on the course for Run 1 and just edged out a pair of borrowed Starlets; Karl Celeste in Josh Mitchell’s Crowesport 4AGE powered Starlet and Kerryn Jolly in father-in-law Graham’s Starlet. Josh spun on a RH sweeper which would ultimately cost him the overall win. Recovering from Saturday night partying may have contributed slightly…
However Josh quickly recovered setting fastest time for the reverse direction Run 2. Nicola showed she can handle the powerful Evo 9 rally car with a stellar run only 1 second slower with Karl Celeste and Nigel Tyson (DX Corolla) closely following. Gary Hawkes tumbled down the leaderboard with a big spin, his lead going up in a cloud of dust as he settled for 6th equal. On par with Gary was Graham Wilson (Starlet) and Adrian Harris (Moke) who would end up locked in battle with equal times for the rest of the day.
The course was reversed again and another lap added for Run 3. As it became more grippy, reaching the hard dusty base, a furiously determined Gary turned the tables to leapfrog straight back into the overall lead by just 1 second from Karl Celeste (Starlet) who was defending his place from a similarly determined Josh Mitchell (Starlet). Graham Wilson began the fight-back to beat Kerryn, turning up the heat on the Wilson/Jolly family battle with a 2nd fastest equal with Nicola (Evo 9), Adrian (Moke) and Josh.
Not resting on his laurels Gary gave the final course Run 4 the big jandal with the Evo creating thick dust clouds at every corner giving him a winning time by 9 seconds from a late charging Rene Spijkerman in his 3SGTE powered Escort Mk1. Mike Pentecost’s Integra just edged himself in his Mini by 3 seconds overall. Kerryn Jolly again won the Wilson/Jolly family battle by just 2 seconds. Karl Celeste just hung on to 2nd overall with car owner Josh Mitchell fighting back to take 3rd place.
Thanks to Hamish Anderson for setting up a fun, fast and flowing course and running a smooth event. Thanks to all who came and gave the event a fun, family, friendly and relaxed atmosphere. A great last event for what has been a hard but rewarding year.
In the end Josh Mitchell sealed his dominance to take out the Autocross Trophy and Gary Hawkes added to his already undefeatable points tally to win the Overall Autosport Championship Trophy for 2014.
What you need for an Autosport Autocross:
- Any car that has a WOF & Reg or Motorsport NZ logbook. Often small, automatic road cars win or are hard to beat at these events!
- Civil drivers license
- 100% cotton overalls
- MotorsportNZ approved helmet
- $20 entry fee (cash)
- Have some grass churning fun!
For More info see the Regs
Directions:
From Rangiora go across the Ashley river bridge, then go right down Fawcetts road. Carry on until you reach Sefton then turn right onto Toppings road (opposite petrol station). Carry on for approx. 500m and turn left into the driveway marked with Autocross sign.
From Christchurch head north on the motorway. After Waikuku stay on the main road and you will cross the Ashley river. 500m after the bridge take the left onto Wyllies road. Stay on this road for 3.5km and it will become Toppings road. Look for the driveway marked with Autocross sign on your right.
Click here for a full map on Google Maps