Day one covered two stages run twice and a short blast around the Mystery Creek super special stage. Tapper started the day as he meant to go on, taking a 9 second stage win over Kayne Barrie. Not having such a good start to the day was Southlander Chris Lange, puncturing towards the end of the stage and losing over 35 seconds.
Stage two was the longest of the rally at nearly 44 kilometers and Tapper made his move, 38 seconds faster than Lange. Puncturing this time was Barrie, leaving him just 1.4 seconds ahead of Lange in second place as the crews headed to the first service.
The afternoon provided more of the same for Tapper, extending his margin for the day to 2 minutes 42.1 seconds. However second place went to Lange after Barrie punctured again, having to stop and losing over three minutes.
Day two offered six special stages that gave Tapper the same result, winning every stage, giving him a winning margin for the leg of 2 minutes 15.3 seconds over Lange, with Barrie a further 56.8 seconds behind.
The result leaves Tapper just 5 points behind Barrie with one leg remaining in Nelson on September 30, meaning that a win will see Tapper win the title regardless of where Barrie finishes.
Points
Kayne Barrie 241
Mark Tapper 236
Chris Lange 188
Dermott Malley 40
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