Skoda Fabia Rally2 crew holds 1:15 advantage in TER Series opener.
After the first day of competition in New Zealand for the 50th edition of the Central Machine Hire Otago Rally, the opening round of the TER Series, the World Series of TER, 2026, the Skoda Fabia Rally2 of new Zealander Jack Stokes and Hayden Graves leads the rally. They have a 1 minute and 15 seconds advantage over the Hyundai i20N Rally2 of Australians Alex Rullo and James Marquet.
Third place, 1 minute and 48 seconds behind the leader, goes to Jack Hawkeswood and Jason Farmer. They lost the lead with their Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 after a 2-minute penalty.
At the foot of the provisional TER Series podium, Robbie Stokes and Andrew Sarandis were penalized 1’30” for being late at a time control with their Skoda. Therefore, they find themselves in 4th position instead of 2nd based on the sum of their special stage times.
Palmer rounds out the Top 5 in the TER Series at the halfway mark with another Skoda Fabia Rally2.
In the overall rally classification, Emma Gilmour delivered a strong performance. She closed the first leg in 3rd place absolute with her Citroen C3.
Seventh overall went to the WRC former driver, the acrobatic Kris Meeke. With Stuart Loudon alongside, he brought the Historic Ford Escort RS to the top 7 of the Otago Rally.
An unlucky first leg for Mads Ostberg and Jared Hudson, betrayed by the engine of their Mazda RX-3.
Wrapping up a fantastic and thrilling first leg of the 50th Central Machine Hire Otago Rally, tomorrow brings nearly 132 km of Special Stages. Anything can still happen.