Richard Mason Motorsport - MASON READY AND SET TO GO FOR WRC PROPECIA RALLY NEW ZEALAND

Home

Meet Richard

The Team

Our Rally Cars

MASON READY AND SET TO GO FOR WRC PROPECIA RALLY NEW ZEALAND

By Chris Grant

15th November, 2006

Double New Zealand Rally Champion Richard Mason and partner Sara Randall can’t wait to get their BNT Subaru out onto the fabulous Waikato stages that lie in wait for them as they make their debut in the Production car World Rally Championship [P-WRC] section of the WRC Propecia Rally New Zealand this Friday.

New Zealand’s top rally pairing are in the middle of the pre-rally reconnaissance and are amazed at the quality of the roads that have been chosen in this heavily revamped 37th edition of this country’s biggest annual sporting event.

“The roads are just superb, and in fantastic condition. It’s a great credit to all involved how good they are, especially with the weather we have been having,” said Richard. “That long [44k] Te Koraha stage is rally drivers’ paradise, with everything from tight twisty Motu-like sections, to super-fast open stuff. That one is really going to play a key part in the final outcome, particularly as we do it twice on Friday.”

“And then there’s Whaanga [Coast], where we came unstuck back in 2004 when we were way out in front as the leading Kiwis, so we have very much unfinished business with that brilliant piece of road [twice] on Sunday.”

Only two of the seventeen high speed special stages were used last year and as Richard missed 2005 due to a lack of funds, the pace note writing has been a virtual ‘start from scratch’ exercise.

One of those two is the famous Whaanga Coast and Sara says they started off on it yesterday using the notes Richard and then Co-Driver Hamish Fenemor wrote back in 2004. However they soon discovered just how much Richard’s driving style has developed and matured since then and found the old notes were virtually useless and even misleading, so reverted to the ‘blank page’ policy.

“To, at last, get to travel over such world famous stages, even at recce speed, is a dream come true for me,” said Sara. “And after our experiences in China and how rough the roads are on other WRC rounds, I can see exactly why the top guys rave so much about how much fun the New Zealand roads are, with their smooth surface and heavily banked corners that just flow on and on.”

“The pace of these [virtually professional] P-WRC teams is going to be amazing, so if we are to stand any chance of mixing it with them we have to be right at the top of our game right from the start on Friday morning.”

“And that is our main aim this weekend – to do the best we possibly can, to get a clear indication of just what it takes to compete against the world’s best,” said the Masterton Flyer.

“There’s no doubt this Propecia Scholarship initiative by Rally New Zealand has given us an opportunity we could have only ever dreamed about otherwise and we plan to make the most of it.”

FOOTNOTE - STOLEN CAR – 1996 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX STI Version 2 – SILVER – Reg # CSB809

RICHARD AND SARA’S RECCE CAR WAS STOLEN FROM OUTSIDE THE MASTERTON TOWN HALL LAST SUNDAY AFTERNOON WHILE RICHARD WAS MAKING A PRESENTATION TO LOCAL APPRENTICES.

ANY INFORMATION OR SIGHTINGS PLEASE CONTACT CHRIS GRANT ON 0274-865532 OR YOUR NEAREST POLICE STATION.
__________________________________________

Propecia Rally New Zealand is the penultimate round of this year’s WRC and starts in Hamilton’s Hood Street on Thursday night from 7.30pm.

Competition runs for the following three days with the Mystery Creek Events Centre as the hub of the whole event housing Rally HQ, the superb central Service Park and a Super Special Stage will be held there at 6pm on both Friday and Saturday.

The Rally Finish takes place there from 3pm on Sunday and will include an opportunity for all crews to perform ‘donuts’ on the skid pan in front of the Finish Ramp.

PROPECIA RALLY NEW ZEALAND TV COVERAGE ON SKY

On SKY SPORT 3 the 'Eye in the Sky' – Aerial Footage will be shown LIVE during Rally NZ.

Times from SkyWatch are Friday and Saturday 0900-1100, 1300-1500, Sunday 0900-1130

The Mystery Creek Stage will be screened LIVE on Friday 17th from 6pm to 7.30pm on Sky Sport 2

And again LIVE on Saturday 18th from 6pm to 7.30pm on Sky Sport 1.

The 1 hour Daily Highlights Shows will be on:
Sky Sport 1 on Friday at 10pm
Sky Sport 1 on Saturday at Midnight
Sky Sport 1 on Sunday at 10pm
Then on Monday 20th – at 7am on Sky Sport 1
– Day 3 Highlights again at 6pm on Sky Sport 1
– 1 Hour Event Highlights at 7.30pm on Sky Sport 3
– 1 Hour coverage of PWRC & NZers at 8.30pm on Sky Sport 3
– 1 hour Event Highlights
And on Tuesday 21st – at 10pm on Sky Sport 1 – 1 Hour Event Highlights

PROPECIA RALLY NEW ZEALAND RADIO COVERAGE ON RADIO SPORT

Radio Sport is Rally Radio, keeping you right up to date, with 20/20 reports via Brian Kelly out on the stages and Chris Grant from Rally HQ at Mystery Creek.

For further information about the WRC Propecia Rally of New Zealand (November 16-19) – www.rallynz.org.nz

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




Home Meet Richard The Team Our Rally Cars Sponsors Latest News Photos Links Contact Us	MASON READY AND SET TO GO FOR WRC PROPECIA RALLY NEW ZEALAND By Chris Grant 15th November, 2006 Double New Zealand Rally Champion Richard Mason and partner Sara Randall can’t wait to get their BNT Subaru out onto the fabulous Waikato stages that lie in wait for them as they make their debut in the Production car World Rally Championship [P-WRC] section of the WRC Propecia Rally New Zealand this Friday. New Zealand’s top rally pairing are in the middle of the pre-rally reconnaissance and are amazed at the quality of the roads that have been chosen in this heavily revamped 37th edition of this country’s biggest annual sporting event. “The roads are just superb, and in fantastic condition. It’s a great credit to all involved how good they are, especially with the weather we have been having,” said Richard. “That long [44k] Te Koraha stage is rally drivers’ paradise, with everything from tight twisty Motu-like sections, to super-fast open stuff. That one is really going to play a key part in the final outcome, particularly as we do it twice on Friday.” “And then there’s Whaanga [Coast], where we came unstuck back in 2004 when we were way out in front as the leading Kiwis, so we have very much unfinished business with that brilliant piece of road [twice] on Sunday.” Only two of the seventeen high speed special stages were used last year and as Richard missed 2005 due to a lack of funds, the pace note writing has been a virtual ‘start from scratch’ exercise. One of those two is the famous Whaanga Coast and Sara says they started off on it yesterday using the notes Richard and then Co-Driver Hamish Fenemor wrote back in 2004. However they soon discovered just how much Richard’s driving style has developed and matured since then and found the old notes were virtually useless and even misleading, so reverted to the ‘blank page’ policy. “To, at last, get to travel over such world famous stages, even at recce speed, is a dream come true for me,” said Sara. “And after our experiences in China and how rough the roads are on other WRC rounds, I can see exactly why the top guys rave so much about how much fun the New Zealand roads are, with their smooth surface and heavily banked corners that just flow on and on.” “The pace of these [virtually professional] P-WRC teams is going to be amazing, so if we are to stand any chance of mixing it with them we have to be right at the top of our game right from the start on Friday morning.” “And that is our main aim this weekend – to do the best we possibly can, to get a clear indication of just what it takes to compete against the world’s best,” said the Masterton Flyer. “There’s no doubt this Propecia Scholarship initiative by Rally New Zealand has given us an opportunity we could have only ever dreamed about otherwise and we plan to make the most of it.” FOOTNOTE - STOLEN CAR – 1996 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX STI Version 2 – SILVER – Reg # CSB809 RICHARD AND SARA’S RECCE CAR WAS STOLEN FROM OUTSIDE THE MASTERTON TOWN HALL LAST SUNDAY AFTERNOON WHILE RICHARD WAS MAKING A PRESENTATION TO LOCAL APPRENTICES. ANY INFORMATION OR SIGHTINGS PLEASE CONTACT CHRIS GRANT ON 0274-865532 OR YOUR NEAREST POLICE STATION. __________________________________________ Propecia Rally New Zealand is the penultimate round of this year’s WRC and starts in Hamilton’s Hood Street on Thursday night from 7.30pm. Competition runs for the following three days with the Mystery Creek Events Centre as the hub of the whole event housing Rally HQ, the superb central Service Park and a Super Special Stage will be held there at 6pm on both Friday and Saturday. The Rally Finish takes place there from 3pm on Sunday and will include an opportunity for all crews to perform ‘donuts’ on the skid pan in front of the Finish Ramp. PROPECIA RALLY NEW ZEALAND TV COVERAGE ON SKY On SKY SPORT 3 the 'Eye in the Sky' – Aerial Footage will be shown LIVE during Rally NZ. Times from SkyWatch are Friday and Saturday 0900-1100, 1300-1500, Sunday 0900-1130 The Mystery Creek Stage will be screened LIVE on Friday 17th from 6pm to 7.30pm on Sky Sport 2 And again LIVE on Saturday 18th from 6pm to 7.30pm on Sky Sport 1. The 1 hour Daily Highlights Shows will be on: Sky Sport 1 on Friday at 10pm Sky Sport 1 on Saturday at Midnight Sky Sport 1 on Sunday at 10pm Then on Monday 20th – at 7am on Sky Sport 1 – Day 3 Highlights again at 6pm on Sky Sport 1 – 1 Hour Event Highlights at 7.30pm on Sky Sport 3 – 1 Hour coverage of PWRC & NZers at 8.30pm on Sky Sport 3 – 1 hour Event Highlights And on Tuesday 21st – at 10pm on Sky Sport 1 – 1 Hour Event Highlights PROPECIA RALLY NEW ZEALAND RADIO COVERAGE ON RADIO SPORT Radio Sport is Rally Radio, keeping you right up to date, with 20/20 reports via Brian Kelly out on the stages and Chris Grant from Rally HQ at Mystery Creek. For further information about the WRC Propecia Rally of New Zealand (November 16-19) – www.rallynz.org.nz 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