| Rally of the North - Top Half round 5: | Saturday | 10 October 2009 |
| Stage No |
Name | Distance | 1st car starts |
Status | Description |
| 1 | Ruapekapeka | 28.56kms | 07:30 | Completed | A great stage to start the event!! The first 10kms travel along smooth and fast ridges, with several blind brows, and great views of the surrounding Northland farmland. The stage then tightens before an acute lefthander onto an even narrower and winding road with nasty drops. Very little metal on this road means that if it’s wet, it will be slippery. The last 7kms open out again to fast and smooth till the flying finish. Service after stage in Hukeranui (10min) |
| 2 | Oromahoe | 21.57kms | 08:40 | Completed | This is the stage that in past years has been used to finish the event. The first 9kms are very tight and winding, mostly through native bush, with a clayed surface, meaning slippery if wet!! The roads then open out along very fast flowing ridges on well metalled roads, before finishing along a wide and fast valley. Service after stage in Okaihau (10min) |
| 3 | Kohokohu | 19.59kms | 10:35 | Completed | Used just about every year for this event, starting at the iconic and lovely Kohukohu Township, with a very tight and winding hillclimb, big drops, blind brows and jumps if you are brave (or stupid) enough. At about 7kms the road opens out marginally, but still as tricky. Little metal means that after a long winter the surface will cut up. Very narrow and winding finish to the stage. Re-fuel service only after stage in Broadwood (5min) |
| 4 | Diggers Valley | 19.51kms | 11:20 | Completed | The stage of Single Lane Bridges (14 of them). Mostly tight and narrow on well metalled roads. Nothing really nasty but like the last stage it will be lock to lock. The last few kilometres open out a bit. Lunch & Re-group after stage in the Kaitaia Town Centre (75min) |
| 5 | Fairburn | 38.57kms | 13:25 | Completed | A big challenge, so don’t get too lethargic after lunch!! This stage has been used before in bits, but never like this. Starts climbing along smooth fast ridges with a spectacular view towards Cape Reinga before a descent to a very acute right hander. The road remains smooth and fast, climbing once more till a long winding descent back to the main road. A short connection on tarseal (600metres), before the last half of the stage on well metalled but narrow and winding roads. Very tricky in places. What a ripper!!! Service after stage in Peria (15min) |
| 6 | Kohumaru | 36.25kms | 14:20 | Completed | Another very big challenge. Every year we run this, and always it seems to go on forever. The first 15kms are on very narrow, tight and winding roads before opening out through a series of tricky (cautioned) intersections. This is followed by a very long hillclimb and descent (excellent views) on wide but potentially rutted roads, through once good farmland that has now reverted to scrub. After a flat out left handed intersection, we are back to open smooth and flowing roads. The last 3kms however become narrow bumpy with big drops and several cautioned corners. Re-fuel service after stage (5min) |
| 7 | Stoney Creek | 9.25kms | 15:20 | Completed | A new stage this year, last run in the 90’s. Very narrow, a bit of a track and will be cut up if it’s been raining. The last 4kms opens out somewhat, flowing along ridges. Treat this one with caution or it will bite!! Service after stage in Kaeo (15min) |
| 8 | Waiare | 25.13kms | 16:20 | Completed | Fast, fast fast: Starts flowing along a river valley (slippery if wet), till Smithies’ bridge where it then starts to climb towards Puketi forest. What used be a potholed track has now been upgraded to a smooth and wide county road, till the flying finish. Nice stage to finish the event on. |
| Last Updated: Saturday, 10 October 2009 @ 5:37pm | © ChrisSport 2009 chris@chrissport.co.nz |