Richard Mason Motorsport - BNT MASON MOTORSPORT PLANNING TACTICAL APPROACH FOR RALLY WHANGAREI

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BNT MASON MOTORSPORT PLANNING TACTICAL APPROACH FOR RALLY WHANGAREI

By Chris Grant

5th June, 2009

Double New Zealand Rally Champions, Richard and Sara Mason, believe a tactical approach is the recipe to success at this weekend's third round of the New Zealand Rally Championship [NZRC] - Rally Whangarei - June 5th - 7th.

After winning three of the four daily heats run so far, NZ's top rallying couple see, at the very least, the retention of their current 10 point lead in the five round series as their priority for the weekend 'Up North'.

Especially as, for the last two years, this particular event has not been kind to the Masterton Flyers and their bright yellow BNT Subaru.

"In spite of our recent results there, I certainly like the roads and look forward to driving them every year," said Richard.

An added attraction of the Whangarei-based event this year is the return of the Batley stage near Maungaturoto, which has not been used since the WRC days. Other stages are being used in the opposite direction to usual.

"So the changes to the route will be a new challenge," said Richard, who will be running the BNT Subaru on the more powerful FIA control fuel as the event is again a round of the FIA Asia Pacific [APRC] regional series.

As the leading non-APRC registered entry, the Masons will be starting right behind the top Asia Pacific drivers, a potential advantage if the roads remain dry over the weekend.

"Hopefully they'll be sweeping the roads for us," said Richard. "And starting 8th on the road should be just about the perfect position to take advantage of the best possible road conditions when our Dunlop Tyres can perform at their best.

"But, as always, time will tell and we have a number of tactical options in place to make the most of whatever comes our way throughout the course of the two days.

"It's also very pleasing to have worked out why the BNT Subaru wasn't performing at it's best down south, because we knew it just didn't feel quite right.." concluded Richard.

"This will be the closest we'll get to '[WRC] Rally New Zealand Mode' this year," said Sara. "Using the FIA Fuel, doing a 2 pass Recce to get the best out of our own customised Pace Notes, being able to carry two spare tyres, going head-to-head with Top International Competition, and using Drivers' Roads made world famous by the best in the sport - it really doesn't get much better.

"And that seems to be when we perform at our best, so this really is an opportunity not to be missed.

"If we can come away with a good haul of [NZRC] points and still winning the Championship, then it will be smiles all round for us come Sunday evening.."

Next.... Photo Album

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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

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10th November, 2009: BNT Mason Motorsport segment in New Weekly Motorsport Show - More

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5th September, 2009: BNT MASON MOTORSPORT LEAD AFTER DAY ONE OF WRC RALLY AUSTRALIA - More




Home Meet Richard The Team Our Rally Cars Sponsors Latest News Photos Links Contact Us	BNT MASON MOTORSPORT PLANNING TACTICAL APPROACH FOR RALLY WHANGAREI By Chris Grant 5th June, 2009 Double New Zealand Rally Champions, Richard and Sara Mason, believe a tactical approach is the recipe to success at this weekend's third round of the New Zealand Rally Championship [NZRC] - Rally Whangarei - June 5th - 7th. After winning three of the four daily heats run so far, NZ's top rallying couple see, at the very least, the retention of their current 10 point lead in the five round series as their priority for the weekend 'Up North'. Especially as, for the last two years, this particular event has not been kind to the Masterton Flyers and their bright yellow BNT Subaru. "In spite of our recent results there, I certainly like the roads and look forward to driving them every year," said Richard. An added attraction of the Whangarei-based event this year is the return of the Batley stage near Maungaturoto, which has not been used since the WRC days. Other stages are being used in the opposite direction to usual. "So the changes to the route will be a new challenge," said Richard, who will be running the BNT Subaru on the more powerful FIA control fuel as the event is again a round of the FIA Asia Pacific [APRC] regional series. As the leading non-APRC registered entry, the Masons will be starting right behind the top Asia Pacific drivers, a potential advantage if the roads remain dry over the weekend. "Hopefully they'll be sweeping the roads for us," said Richard. "And starting 8th on the road should be just about the perfect position to take advantage of the best possible road conditions when our Dunlop Tyres can perform at their best. "But, as always, time will tell and we have a number of tactical options in place to make the most of whatever comes our way throughout the course of the two days. "It's also very pleasing to have worked out why the BNT Subaru wasn't performing at it's best down south, because we knew it just didn't feel quite right.." concluded Richard. "This will be the closest we'll get to '[WRC] Rally New Zealand Mode' this year," said Sara. "Using the FIA Fuel, doing a 2 pass Recce to get the best out of our own customised Pace Notes, being able to carry two spare tyres, going head-to-head with Top International Competition, and using Drivers' Roads made world famous by the best in the sport - it really doesn't get much better. "And that seems to be when we perform at our best, so this really is an opportunity not to be missed. "If we can come away with a good haul of [NZRC] points and still winning the Championship, then it will be smiles all round for us come Sunday evening.." 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


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