Shingle flies on Rutherfords Road

By Jonathan Leask November 7 2011

Richard Bowater is the new king of Rutherfords Road, taking out the Ashburton Car Club's Shingle Sprints on Saturday.

DarrylKG A runner-up in last year's event, Bowater went one better as Ashburton drivers dominated the event, filling seven of the top 10 spots on what was a dry shingle road that provided fast times.
Bowater produced his winning effort on his third run, setting a winning time of 1.44.92 in his very quick Mitsubishi Evo to edge out defending champion Donn McLaren by a little over two seconds.
McLaren suffered mechanical issues to his Mazda Escort in his third run which meant he was unable to complete his fourth and final run, which is where he produced the winning time in last year's event, and had to settle for second.
The next best Ashburton driver was Darcy Prendergast in fourth position, while Peter McLaren was sixth followed by Kyle Robertson, Jack Gorman and Grant Smith in ninth.
A total of 22 competitors took to the shingle for this year's event, one more than last year, with all making it through the day unscathed.
"The day went to plan with only the one minor incident," Ashburton Car Club spokesman Brad O'Brien said.
"We had one car end up upside down in a ditch, but both the driver and passenger were fine and the car was able to continue competing."