The Valvoline Rally of the North started in Paihia on a brisk morning, and the clear weather and dry roads seemed ideal for the 38 entrants to compete in over 180km of special stages and touring 230km in between stages throughout the day.
However, Saturday's idyllic setting was the calm before what turned out to be an eventful rally, which headed west and then into the Far North backcountry.
The field started to dwindle as the lunch break in Kaitaia grew nearer and by the end of the day, 17 cars had retired due to off-road excursions as well as a few mechanical breakdowns.
That may have been what made the victory even sweeter for Auckland driver Dylan Turner and co-pilot Malcolm Read, who came out on top in their Mitsubishi Evolution 8. Turner said it was the first event he had won in eight years.
Justin Glavish and Michelle Brunt finished in second place - impressive considering they were competing in a two-wheel-drive Toyota Starlet with a 1600cc engine. The final two on the podium were Graham Featherston and Heather Wise who were in a Mitsubishi Evolution 3.
