Posted Sunday, April 14, 2024 at 10:03pm
Surrounded by stars at this week’s Otago Rally, it was Kiwi Jack Hawkeswood who shone the brightest at the end of the opening day’s action on the Dunedin-based event.
The 23-year-old charged out of the blocks at a blistering pace, winning the first two stages to lay the foundations for a lead he wouldn’t surrender through Saturday’s eight stages and 90 miles of competition.
The Toyota GR Yaris AP4 driver holds a 19.4-second lead over Robbie Stokes (Ford Fiesta Rally2) with Gaurav Gill a further 11 back in third.
But what of the superstars? Kris Meeke sits eighth overall, with a commanding lead in the Classic event while Brandon Semenuk was slowed by a puncture, but sets the pace among the Subaru H6 runners.
Back to the top and Hawkeswood demonstrated plenty of pace, but also the patience to control proceedings through the afternoon.
