Malley makes successful return to four-wheel drive

Auckland’s Patrick Malley has made a dream return to the
group N four-wheel drive championship at the Rally Nelson
with a stunning performance. Third overall and third in the
Group N category.

Malley, who had not driven the Citizen Watches backed
Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9 in New Zealand for nearly two years,
took the field by surprise when he recorded the fastest time on
the opening stage and second on the second to enter the first
service holding a 2.9 second lead.

After service Malley was overhauled by national champions
Hayden Paddon and Richard Mason after suffering extreme
tyre wear but by days end still held a very creditable 3rd in one
of the most fiercely competitive national rally championships in
the world.

With his day one result, Malley moved up the running order
from 12th to 3rd on the road, meaning he and Malcolm Read
had much more gravel on the road to contend with, but even
this didn’t faze the 25 year old. A second and a fourth left
Malley holding down third for day two until a puncture on
special stage nine cost Malley 40 seconds, dropping him back.

Despite an afternoon charge, Malley was unable to close the
gap to Emma Gilmour for the second leg, however his day one
performance meant he still took the final step on the podium for
the rally.

“Obviously we are absolutely stoked to get such a result. The
Ralliart NZ boys did a great job helping us out and the Truth
Fiesta (the car Malley has run for the last two seasons) has
been an integral part of the speed and success we have
achieved in the Citizen Evo”, says Malley.

Despite contesting four out of the five rounds in a two-wheel
drive non-turbo Ford Fiesta, Malley still secured sixth in the
overall New Zealand Rally Championship.