Marston wins Rally of Canterbury

Christchurch's Josh Marston and co-driver Andrew Graves won the Lone Star Rally of Canterbury on Sunday, giving them the overall lead in the seven-round 2022 Mainland Rally Championship.

The pair won six of the seven special stages in their Holden Barina AP4 during the rally through the Okuku and Ashley forests.

Marston's task was made slightly easier after last year’s winner, Robbie Stokes, retired early in the second special stage due to a mechanical problem.

Stokes took out the first stage before bowing out of the rally. 

While Marston was "stoked" to win, he said "it was tough for Robbie (Stokes) to have issues at the start of the second stage".

"It feels like we were able to push on really well and the car has also been really good," Marston said.

The cool, dry conditions and fast but slippery gravel forest roads caused a shake-up of the overall and class categories in the third round of the Mainland Rally Series.

With Stoke's early retirement and a non-start by NZ Rally Championship rival Jack Hawkeswood (Toyota Vitz AP4), it was Matt Summerfield/Nicole Summerfield (Subaru Impreza) who had a chance to shine. Despite the duo recording some of the fastest overall speeds, they eventually finished second in front of David and Emma Quantock (Skoda AP4).

Fourth was Deane Buist/Karl Celeste (Ford Fiesta) with John Giltrap/Sarah Faulkner (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) in fifth.

"It’s good to get to the end," said Summerfield.

"It’s been an enjoyable day with no major dramas, so it’s been good to get some seat time in and at home as well."

Heading into the rally, the overall Mainland series leader, Ray Casey (Subaru Impreza Sti), held his own for most of the rally before a puncture saw him drop back to seventh overall.

The teams now have a fortnight until the fourth round, the Rally of South Canterbury, starts on Saturday, June 18.