BNT MASON MOTORSPORT HALFWAY THERE AT RALLY WAIRARAPA
By Chris Grant
29th April, 2012
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Day one action. Photographer: Geoff Ridder |
In it’s current form, Rally Wairarapa only debuted in the NZRC in 2005 and the Triple Champions have won this round 6 of the 7 times it has been run, which is already an NZRC record – surpassing Bruce Herbert’s 5 wins at Rally Rotorua (1999 - 2003).
The Masterton Flyers claimed today's win with a measured tactical approach that saw them start steadily and then fastest times on stages 2 and 3 had them in the rally lead that they almost doubled by the end of the 8 high speed tests around Pongaroa.
“Our usual pre-rally plan is to identify specific stages that are key to gaining a significant advantage over our fellow competitors," said a delighted Sara, “So stages 2 and 3 were where we 'went for it' this year, and it worked a treat."
"The new ScottSpeed Performance Engines engine and the MCA Suspension have done us proud today," said Richard, "and as usual the BNT Mason Motorsport Service Crew did an awesome job. So we are very much looking forward to bringing it home tomorrow to greatly enhance our [NZRC] championship chances."
Today's Leg win plus 2nd place on the Power Stage - by just 0.3 of a second to a hard-charging Sloan Cox - means that the Masons are now up to 5th place on the NZRC points table and closing in on their main opposition in the series.
"Once again we were pipped at the post in the Power Stage, but 2nd fastest there gets us just that bit further up the [NZRC points] table, so as long as we can repeat this tomorrow [for Leg2], we should be in very good shape for the trip 'Down South' to Otago at the end of next month," said Richard.
But there are still 110kms in the 8 special stages to conquer first before that, and with a severe weather warning in place for the Wairarapa region tomorrow, the job at hand is still very much a Work in Progress....
The 2012 edition of Trust House Racetech Rally Wairarapa is being run over sixteen high-speed special stages, eight on Saturday - 129kms including the 7km long Te Parae Road, which was the Power Stage for this round - and a further eight on Sunday (110kms).
The first car is expected to reach the finish ramp at Masterton’s Copthorne Solway Park Hotel soon after 3.30pm on Sunday.
Next.... Photo Album
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