Deane Buist (Ford Escort) has come out on top winning the overall 2024 Mainland Rally Championship (MRC) title after the completion of the final two rounds over the weekend.
Having won the (Mainland Series) Rally of North Canterbury on Saturday, Buist finished runner up to Marcus van Klink (Mazda RX7 Group B) in the Westland Rally on Sunday. Second overall was Robbie Stokes (Ford Escort) with van Klink third followed by James Worker (Mitsubishi Evo 6) and Dylan Thomson (Ford Fiesta R2).
Stokes led the series heading into the weekend, 17-points ahead of Buist but a sixth and fourth placed him just four-points behind on Sunday night.
Stokes was the top MRC car in the opening two events, Otago Rally (April) and the South Canterbury Rally (May) while van Klink came home first in Rally Canterbury (June). It was Mark McMilan (Subaru Impreza WRX) who took maximum points at the Wyndham Rally (August). Meanwhile, Buist continued to gather points finishing strongly with a win and a second place in the last two rounds. For overall results, it is the best five of the six round series.
The battle for seven different MRC Class titles were also decided with the best four results of the six rounds. Mike Matheson (Toyota Vitz) won Class A (0-1300cc) from Pat Norris (Toyota Yaris) and Josh Silcock (Toyota Starlet). Norris’ co-driver Gordon Legge was top co-driver in the class.
Jack Stokes (Ford Fiesta) edged out Harri Silcock (Toyota Starlet) in Class B (1301-1600cc) by just 12-points with Sarah Faulkner the top co-driver in class.
Deane Buist’s and Marcus van Klink were tied first in Class C (1601cc and over) with Buist given first due to his competing in five rounds versus van Klink’s four. Toby Marsh was the top co-driver in class as well as winning the overall Co-Drivers Championship Trophy.
While he may have missed the first three rounds, James Worker picked up enough points in Class D (4WD) to win the title from Caleb MacDonald with Gemma Thomas top co-driver in class.
Shane McKenzie (Mitsubishi Galant) was first home in the North Canterbury Rally in Class E (Pre 2000 4WD) giving him enough points to claim the title ahead Nigel Ede (Subaru Legacy RS). Mark Grimmer picked up the co-drivers’ award in class.
A DNF for Ally Mackay (Ford Escort Mk1) in the penultimate round on Saturday gave Stephen Gill (Ford Escort Mk2) the advantage in Class F (Classic 2WD), sealing the title after the Westland Rally with his co-driver Grant Molloy taking top spot as well.
Amy Keighley (Subaru) and Tom Milliken (Subaru) continued their battle in Class H6 with Keighley first home in both rounds and taking the title. Milliken’s co-driver, Chris Cunningham, picked up the Class co-drivers award.
