August 1981 from memory so 30 years ago. I worked on the startline timing crew at Darby Rd, Arapuni and Quin's Camaro landed in the swamp only a few kays into the stage. Then was timing crew again later in the night, at Taotaoroa Rd near Hinuera from memory. Tony Teesdale and Gary Smith won every stage in the Engine Rebuilders Escort RS1800. Starting from top the GMDT Chevette HS2300 is Shane Murland not Paul Adams and finished second. The Muffler Services Escort is Crowe (DNF). I think the yellow RX3 sedan could be Mike Limbrick rather than Peter Yates, silver Chevette is Rotorua's Tony Baker then Reece Jones (RX3) and Mark Parsons (Mk1 Escort) more recently of TR7 V8 fame. Can't recall #10, #12 RX3 is Clive Pegden. Somewhere I will have a full map and entry list but the Mini Ute is Sandy Powell of rallycross fame with Minis and the rotary Sunbeam Stiletto and that would be Ross Meekings driving the KE20 Corolla with plenty of attitude.
The Rod Coppins accident was stage 2, I think on Puahue Rd not far from Kihikihi. All these roads now much wider and faster but I remember Teesdale completed the 130km of stages in pretty much 1 hour give or take a few seconds. The next Hamilton tarmac rally in `82 was won by Reg Cook in the Bluebird Turbo.
Cheers, Colin Smith.