Kaiapoi’s Marcus van Klink has recorded another top result at round four of the Brian Green Property Group New Zealand Rally Championship, Fuchs Rally Gisborne, not only topping the Historic standings but also coming home as the top two-wheel drive and eighth overall.
Heading into the event, van Klink was looking to continue his best start to a championship to date with two wins and a second to date. He made the perfect start on the opening stage to record a time 10 seconds faster than nearest Historic rival, Brian Stokes.
The second stage saw van Klink and co-driver Dave Neill take on one of the most famous challenges in New Zealand rallying, the Motu. With big competition for the honour of being the two-wheel drive ‘Motu Master’ and taking home the associated trophy, van Klink charged through the stage in the Chesters Plumbing Supplies Mazda RX-7 to record the 10th fastest overall time, more than 30 seconds faster than his nearest two-wheel drive rival.
As the day went on, van Klink’s pace improved as he recorded the eighth fastest overall time, again topping the two-wheel drive field in special stage three, before securing a top result on the fourth and final stage, not only dominating the Historic class with a win of more than three minutes, but also first two-wheel drive car home.
“Quite honestly, I think that is the best we have ever gone in the RX-7 and even more importantly we beat Regan Ross again,” said van Klink. “Everything just came together and they were some pretty cool roads. All in all, it was nearly a perfect rally.”
The Klink Rallysport team will continue their quest for a third Historic title at Mahindra Goldrush Rally Coromandel on August 22.
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