MASONS TAKE THE LEAD IN DUNLOP TARGA
By Chris Grant
29th October, 2008
A stunning drive through the final 40 kilometre Whangamomona stage has seen New Zealand's top rallying couple, Richard and Sara Mason take the lead after two days of the Dunlop Targa for 2008.The Masterton Flyers' bright yellow BNT/Dunlop Subaru came through the return run of the famous back country road almost half a minute faster than any of the other crews in the five day event and when the winner for the last two years, Joe McAndrew, punctured, a 1 minute deficit turned into a 36 second lead, with the third placed team already more than 4 minutes behind.
"We really are having a brilliant time," said Richard. "Matching a [Rallying] legend and renowned Targa expert like Joe, especially at our first attempt, is just awesome and to be in the lead at the end of only the second day is certainly beyond our initial plan.
"Alastair [Dunlop Motorsport Manager Alastair Corbett] and his Guys are doing a fantastic job and their Direzza DZ03G's are doing everything we could possibly ask of them.
"But it's "Early Days" yet and with three days to go, we in fact have more Time and Distance to run than a full WRC event like Rally New Zealand, so there's a heap of work still to do."
Dunlop Targa NZ 2008 - Top Ten after Day 2 of 5:
955 Richard Mason 9 11 02:18:20 1
951 Joe McAndrew 9 11 02:18:56 2
927 Emma Gilmour 9 11 02:22:30 3
897 Gavin Riches 8 11 02:23:42 4
997 Tony Quin 9 11 02:23:59 5
915 Paul Manuell 9 11 02:26:23 6
781 Brent Early 7 11 02:26:39 7
731 Mike Tubbs 7 11 02:26:47 8
926 Jason Gill 9 11 02:27:33 9
907 Steve Millen 9 11 02:28:10 10
FOR YESTERDAY'S TV3 NEWS COVERAGE OF DAY TWO OF THE 2008 DUNLOP TARGA:
http://www.3news.co.nz/Video/Sports/tabid/317/articleID/77696/cat/70/Default.aspx#video
FOR TV3 NEWS COVERAGE OF DAY ONE OF THE 2008 DUNLOP TARGA featuring the BNT/Dunlop Subaru:
http://www.3news.co.nz/Video/Sports/tabid/317/articleID/77524/cat/70/Default.aspx
The Dunlop Targa started on Labour Day (Monday October 27th) in Auckland with a Car Show, Prologue stage and an overnight halt before heading south to New Plymouth for the last two nights.
The third day (Thursday) comprises 6 stages totaling 160km with a Lunch Break at Marton before the first car arrives in Wanganui from around 5.30pm.
Friday ends in Wellington after a day travelling across to the Wairarapa for Lunch at the Tui Brewery at Mangatainoka.
Saturday sees a northern loop before the Official Finish back in Wellington from 5pm.
Next.... Photo Album
More Items
1st September, 2010: BNT MASON MOTORSPORT BACK ON FORM AT NZRC RALLY NELSON - More
22nd August, 2010: MASON SOLID SECOND AFTER DAY ONE OF NZRC RALLY NELSON - More
21st August, 2010: BNT MASON MOTORSPORT ALL SET FOR NZRC RALLY NELSON - More
1st July, 2010: MASONS DETERMINED TO BEAT NORTHLAND 'HOO-DOO' AT RALLY WHANGAREI - More
7th June, 2010: MASON 'Does it for Stace' BY WINNING DUNLOP TARGA ROTORUA - More
6th June, 2010: MASON DOMINATES FIRST DAY OF DUNLOP TARGA ROTORUA - More
5th May, 2010: MASON TO JOIN WORLD CHAMPIONS FOR WRC RALLY NEW ZEALAND PRESS CONFERENCE - More
16th April, 2010: NEW BNT SUBARU A WINNER ON DEBUT AT NZRC RALLY OTAGO - More
8th April, 2010: CHANGES APLENTY FOR BNT MASON MOTORSPORT AT NZRC RALLY OTAGO - More
10th November, 2009: BNT Mason Motorsport segment in New Weekly Motorsport Show - More
10th November, 2009: End of Season - More
14th September, 2009: Coverage of Rally Oz - More
9th September, 2009: MORE HISTORY MADE BY BNT MASON MOTORSPORT AT WRC RALLY AUSTRALIA - More
6th September, 2009: BNT MASON MOTORSPORT FIGHTING HARD AT WRC RALLY AUSTRALIA - More
5th September, 2009: BNT MASON MOTORSPORT LEAD AFTER DAY ONE OF WRC RALLY AUSTRALIA - More
©2010 BNT Mason Motorsport. Website by Bev Randall