Mazda 2 AP4+
Credit: Peter Whitten
Number Plates:
HTQ248 > HCR862 > KNM945
Driver/Ownership:
2016 - Current: Force Motorsport
2016 - Current: Andrew Hawkeswood
2021 - 2022: Duncan McCrostie (Leased)
History:
Built by Force Motorsport in 2015 after the development knowledge gained from the first Mazda 2. This car was effectively the first AP4 class car built. Although not up to full AP4 spec for the 2016 NZRC the car can be made compliant very easily. It features a 1800cc Mazda Turbo engine, and a Sadev Sequential Transmission.
The car made it's New Zealand Rally Championship debut in the hands of Hawkeswood at Rally Otago the same year alongside Hayden Paddon's i20 and Glenn Inkster's Fabia. Hawkeswood's flamboyant driving style suited to the Mazda well, and the speed in the car was visible straight away. Alongside the other Force Motorsport built cars, this would go on to create a flurry of interest in the new AP4 category, sparking a number of different builds.
The 2017 season would again see Hawkeswood campaigning it in the National Championship. The opening round of the season was a positive one for the Force Motorsport team, taking out 2nd place in a hotly contested Rally Otago. With hot pace all season, the title race was on, with Hawkeswood finally securing his first New Zealand Rally Championship at the last round at Rally New Zealand
In 2018 business commitments would allow Hawkeswood apart time attack on the championship opening with round 4 Rally South Canterbury in which he finished 2nd.
HTQ248 > HCR862 > KNM945
Driver/Ownership:
2016 - Current: Force Motorsport
2016 - Current: Andrew Hawkeswood
2021 - 2022: Duncan McCrostie (Leased)
History:
Built by Force Motorsport in 2015 after the development knowledge gained from the first Mazda 2. This car was effectively the first AP4 class car built. Although not up to full AP4 spec for the 2016 NZRC the car can be made compliant very easily. It features a 1800cc Mazda Turbo engine, and a Sadev Sequential Transmission.
The car made it's New Zealand Rally Championship debut in the hands of Hawkeswood at Rally Otago the same year alongside Hayden Paddon's i20 and Glenn Inkster's Fabia. Hawkeswood's flamboyant driving style suited to the Mazda well, and the speed in the car was visible straight away. Alongside the other Force Motorsport built cars, this would go on to create a flurry of interest in the new AP4 category, sparking a number of different builds.
The 2017 season would again see Hawkeswood campaigning it in the National Championship. The opening round of the season was a positive one for the Force Motorsport team, taking out 2nd place in a hotly contested Rally Otago. With hot pace all season, the title race was on, with Hawkeswood finally securing his first New Zealand Rally Championship at the last round at Rally New Zealand
In 2018 business commitments would allow Hawkeswood apart time attack on the championship opening with round 4 Rally South Canterbury in which he finished 2nd.
2016
2017
1st New Zealand Rally Championship
