Fordell Gravelsprint roaring back into action this weekend

Drivers have two day runs and two night runs on Matarawa Valley Rd. Photo / Lewis Gardner

The annual Fordell Day/Night Gravelsprint is back on this weekend, with a field of around 30 cars set to tackle the 5.5km course.

The event also serves as round three of the Central Region Sprint Series.

Organiser Bryce Hackett said because the rally was part of that series, a lot of the competitors were "quite local".

"That gives us a good base for our entries," Hackett said.

"Our service parks around the Fordell Sale yards, and the course itself is down to the end of Matarawa Valley Rd.

"It's one of the higher speed events around the place. In the first year I ran it (2017) the average speed for the course was 136km/h.

"There are some pretty tight turns in there, but there are also some winding straights and blind crests."

Hackett said the event had previously been part of the Wanganui Rally in the late 1990s, and he had brought it back in 2017.

"We have the capacity to have about 55 or 60 cars at a push, but 30 to 40 is a really good number for that road.

"They'll get an untimed drive through, to look at the road, and then they'll get two daytime runs.

"We'll stop for a dinner break, just to let that twilight get out of there. That's the hardest time to drive.

"Then all the lights will turn on and we'll be into the night runs at about six o'clock.

Drivers would also have two night runs, Hackett said, with the winner being judged on their fastest times in each setting.

"From memory, I think the fastest time to date is around the 3.5 minute mark for just over 5.5km.

"The cars can certainly move, and it'll be interesting to see if the speeds drop off at night time as well. With a road like that the traction keeps getting better as more cars go over it."

Hackett said there were designated areas on the course for spectators, and there was no entry fee for members of the public.

"There are a couple of spectator spots set up, and there'll be a van to ferry people back and forwards."

Hackett said it was "crunch time" for the drivers in the Central Region Series, all of whom had roll cages in their vehicles.

"Two guys to look out for are Gareth McLachlan in his VR4 and Daniel Feck in his Mitsubishi FTO.

"Those two are both four-wheel drives and both really quick.

"Chris Gracie in his little Honda Civic is also really on pace, and for pure crowd entertainment, it's got to be Paul Taylor from Wellington.

"He's got an old BMW with a V12 in it. He goes out there, throws stones and has a great time.

"At the end of the day, that's what it's all about."

The Fordell Day/Night Gravelsprint runs from 2pm to 10pm on Saturday, May 1, at Matarawa Valley Rd, Fordell (Kaitoke 4582).