Jagger Sets The Pace For Season Finale

Once again Ben Jagger was the driver who set the pace for the Ford Fiesta Sporting Trophy competitors.

Following on from a very strong showing at the recent Rally of New Zealand, Jagger stormed home to victory at this weekend's season finale the Rally of Nelson placing seventh overall out of the New Zealand Rally Championship drivers and first of the two wheel drive cars.

A problem with brakes at the start of the one day rally kept the Whangarei based rally team off the pace in the morning but after the first service the problem was soon rectified.

With the car now up to speed and running smoothly Jagger was quickly on and above the pace taking special stage wins and closing the gap on Patrick Malley.

Jagger eventually passed Malley and finished the Rally of Nelson with the slim margin of 3.8 seconds over Malley then followed by the remaining two wheel drive cars.

"It was a good rally, nothing really went wrong, we had a bit of a problem with the brakes but we got that sorted out. We managed to finish the rally with the car all ready to go back in the garage at home without having to fix anything." said Jagger.

This was Jagger's first time at the Rally of Nelson who quickly became used to the unique characteristics of the forestry roads, something much different to the Northland roads he cut his teeth on.

"The roads were very fast! On one of the stages I think we were in fifth gear for about 10 kms just going flat out." said Jagger.

For Ben Jagger and co-driver Ben Hawkins their first season in the New Zealand Rally Championship has been a very enlightening experience, one where they and the whole team have learned much.

"The whole season has been really good. We've had our share of ups and downs but at every rally we have learned something. Everyone has been really good to us, we have met a lot of people and made some friends here." said Jagger.

Patrick Malley who entered the final round of the New Zealand Rally Championship at the top of the Fiesta points table placed second at the Rally of Nelson behind Ben Jagger.

Malley did however score the points required to claim this year's Ford Fiesta Sporting Trophy title finishing 16 points ahead of Jagger and will receive an entry into M-Sport's Ford Fiesta Shootout to be held in the United Kingdom.

Ben Jagger and Ben Hawkins had their hopes set on that prize also but with the possibility of a 'wild card' entry to also be sent over with Malley, the pair await a decision to be made.

But no matter what happens with the shootout, Jagger along with his team mate Ben Hawkins have already committed to next year's championship in the car. The Northland pair have shown much potential as a rally team throughout the season and have come to be affectionately referred to as 'The Two Bens'.

"We have really learned a lot through the season. We started at the same level and are learning everything at the same time. We learn more at each rally and the two of us will be looking forward to next season. Meanwhile we will be doing some local car club events and Ben will be taking his own car for a few runs over the break." said Jagger.

Ben Jagger and Ben Hawkins finished their first season in the New Zealand Rally Championship with a second place behind Patrick Malley in the Ford Fiesta Sporting Trophy. They won round one (Otago) and round six (Nelson).

The rookie team also placed third in the Kiwi 2 two wheel drive championship with Patrick Malley in second and Aaron Cook first.