Motorsport: American blocks out Kiwi drivers

American Ken Block won the first round of the New Zealand Rally Champion-ship. Photo / Geoff Ridder

Disappointment as New Zealand drivers bomb out before and during rallying's championship opening round.

The more established Kiwi rally drivers didn't make too much of an impression at the opening round of the New Zealand Rally Championship in Whangarei over the weekend.

Five-time national champion Richard Mason didn't make the start line, Emma Gilmour had mechanical issues on day one and others struggled.

It was Ben Hunt and David Holder who took the challenge to American "Hoonigan" Ken Block over the two days of the International Rally of Whangarei, until Holder had a big off yesterday.

Despite a concerted effort from the Kiwi crews, it was Block who called on all his previous experience to claim his first win on New Zealand soil, having raced here in the past at both this event and rounds of the World Rally Championship.

"Finishing second is a good result for us despite having some issues with the car," said Hunt of himself and co-driver Tony Rawston.

"Ken's car is a full 2-litre WRC car and ours is a production Group N so we had to drive the car as hard as we could to get the result and it was a fantastic rally."

Block was back in town for the FIA-sanctioned event and likes it here so much he's also contesting the second round of the NZRC in Otago, May 9-10.

He didn't have it all his own way at the start of the rally as Coromandel's Alex Kelsey had a 20-second lead after the opening four special stages.

However, the wheels fell off after the young Kiwi took a wrong turn at a junction, and then clutch failure meant he was forced to retire.

Block and co-driver Alex Gelsomino took advantage with stage wins over the ensuing days to win the national component of the event.

"It's great to be back rallying in New Zealand and to get a win is great," said Block. "We had a few issues with the diff and drive shaft but the team managed to get it fixed and I'm really happy we could get the win."

The International Rally of Whangarei is also the opening round of the Asia Pacific Rally Championship.

The only Kiwi in the field, Michael Young, put on a masterful display in his first outing in a four-wheel-drive car.

He held off defending champion Indian Gaurav Gill until the last stage to finally finish third, Swede Pontus Tidemand taking line honours.

"We were good in some places and really bad in others," said Young.

"We were in front of Gill until I made a mistake. To battle for second was awesome and we're still happy to finish third outright."