Phil Campbell is hoping a change in paint scheme will bring a change in luck when the fourth round of the New Zealand Rally Championship, Rally Whangarei, gets underway this weekend.
Campbell has had a troubled opening three rounds of the championship, showing pace that has left him battling with championship leader and rival Ben Hunt, but a series of mechanical problems means Campbell sits third in the Two-wheel drive, Rally New Zealand scholarship class.
“We haven’t had a clean run all year,” says 24-year old Campbell. “It is really frustrating because the pace has been good, but we haven’t been able to put up a result.”
Since the previous round in May, the Steel Sheds R Us Ford Fiesta has received something of a makeover with the aim of improving the reliability of the car. The formerly blue car has also turned white in a sharp looking new livery.
With regular co-driver Mal Peden unable to contest the event, Campbell will be joined for the event by Venita Fabbro for the first time since the opening round, Rally Otago, back in April.
Last year, the pair made their Whangarei debut, however Campbell had a tentative run after coming off the back of a big crash. This time, Campbell is confident he has the pace to take a class win.
Rally Whangarei gets underway with a ceremonial start in the Cameron Street Mall on Friday, 15 July, with the competitive action getting underway early the following day. After completing nearly 160km on day one, crews will complete another 143km on day two before the finish ceremony in the Whangarei Quayside Town Basin at 3.30pm on Sunday.
Press Release by BB Media
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