History of HY2/HZ8 Pete and Jill Rally of the North 2002 In 1975 Mark Stephenson bought a brand new Mk2 Escort, which he had built up to a Group 2 spec RS1800 Rally car by ‘Jandals’. It was first registered in Jan. 1976 as a brand new RS1800, Registration no. HY2. It was first Rallied by Howard Collier. The Reg no. was changed to HZ8 because the Hearse next door to where they were based was HY1. (This is a true story.) It was also rallied for 2 seasons as HZ8 by Howard Collier. The specs were: 1800 BDA ex Paul Adams ??? Rocket Box Atlas axle, 2 Link Forest flares etc. We understand many of the parts to build this car were obtained from the ‘School Supplies’ Bitza no. 2 car which was bought less motor from Dave Simpson by Mark Stephenson. The car was sold to Robert Van Gisbergen (Cheese), less motor when Cheese fitted an extremely good 2 Litre OHC, (alloy rods etc). Van Gisbergen then sold the car to Brenden Kell. It was then purchased by John Parsons in 198 ? John bought many of the special engine parts from ‘Cheese’ and had a very good 2 Litre OHC motor and competed in many Rallies and Hill climbs. He then restored the car to a very high standard over several years from 1998 and at the same time fitted a YB Cosworth engine plus a Quaife 5 speed gearbox. He did a couple of events after that. We purchased the car from John in 2002. The Cosworth motor developed problems so I refitted a 2 Litre OHC in time for the 2002 Targa Rally. The Cosworth engine is currently being rebuilt.

Pete and Jill competing in the Ruarangi Road Rallysprint 2008

HZ8 didn't even suffer any damage, Ruby Rallyfeste 2007

Last stage on the Ruby Rallyfeste 2007

Fantastic display of old Rally cars for the Ruby Rallyfeste

Ruby Rallyfeste display 2007 celebrating 40 years of Rallying in New Zealand

Pete and Jill Targa 2002 Pete and Jill at the start of the 2002 Targa Rally inside the Turners Auction Building, Penrose, Auckland. The five day Rally involved classic and contemorary cars and included 2000 kilometres in special stages from Auckland to Wellington. Of the 2000kms, 600kms were closed road driving while the remaining 1400kms toured the country's highways. there were 227 entrants and only 170 made it across the finish line.Nine times Bathurst winner Peter Brock was the drawcard for many of the spectators, he ended up in 8th position. Our 4 car team from Whangarei were the winners of the Top Team Event.

Targa 2002 Pete and Jill

Jill and Pete and Adrienne and Don, finish of Targa 2002

Wellington Waterfront stage Targa 2002 Pete and Jill on the final stage of Targa 2002 around the Wellington Waterfront. We made it after 5 days of Rallying from Auckland down to Wellington. Our 4 car team from Whangarei, Northland won the overall Team prize.

Pete and Jill Rally of the North 2003