Richard Mason Motorsport - Mason Prepares For Rally Championship Threepeat

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Mason Prepares For Rally Championship Threepeat

By Chris Grant

11th April, 2007

Double New Zealand Rally Champion Richard Mason is relishing the prospect of the battles that lie ahead this year if he is to win his third successive New Zealand Rally Championship, which starts in Dunedin this weekend - April 13-15 - with the Scenic Circle Southern Cross Hotel Rally of Otago.

In addition to the regular crop of domestic teams, international drivers will compete in the Vantage Aluminium Joinery sponsored series for the first time, with ex Hyundai and Mitsubishi WRC works driver Alister McRae and Subaru Rally Team USA's Ken Block joining the fray.

"Just as we were given the opportunity in the P-WRC at Rally NZ [in November last year], we have always said we wanted to measure ourselves against quality offshore opposition, and now all of us get the chance to do that in a championship, rather than just in a one-off event. It should be great!"

Richard, and current NZRC Co-Driver Champion Sara Randall, competed against McRae in China last year. They therefore have first hand experience of what he can do and are really looking forward to going head to head with him on, arguably, the best rally roads in the world, spread across Otago, Northland, Wairarapa, Hawkes Bay, Waitomo/Franklin/Raglan and Nelson over the next six months.

"Otago is definitely one of our favourite, yet most frustrating, rounds. The roads are so challenging and technical with all their crests and brows, but, from an 'on-the-road' point of view, our five visits have brought us 3 x 2nds [2002 on debut, 2005 & 2006 - both on tie break] - a 3rd [2004] and a DNF [2003]. So naturally we are very keen to stand on the top step of the podium come Sunday afternoon."

While the maximum possible points haul is always the Masterton Flyers goal at every outing, the Richard Mason Motorsport Team's major objective in Dunedin will be to complete a successful debut of their brand new BNT Subaru. The building of which has only just been completed over last (Easter) weekend, with the final act being to attach the 'EVOETA' licence plates that proved so successful last year on their six year old WRX.

"It really is great to be in one of the latest spec Group N cars at last. We've managed a couple of brief test sessions and Dwight [Dwight Scott from ScottSpeed Performance Engines] is very happy with the engine he has prepared and we are equally pleased with the feel of the whole package. And it's neat to have the 'EVOETA' name live on to get another crack at the championship."

"I must take this opportunity to thank Greg Horne and the team at BNT for reconfirming their commitment to back us again this year as early as Rally NZ, way back in November. It's that sort of support that is priceless because it has made our planning for 2007 - particularly the decision to get the new car - so much easier."

"That said, it's still been a hectic start to the year, establishing relationships with new partners like Silverstone Tyres, pulling together all the pieces that it takes to construct a new car, plus going up to China for the first round of their championship late last month."

"We had another great time in Shanghai and were pleased to finish 5th [and first Subaru], on what was a rally that really suited the Mitsubishis, and especially after our close encounter with some trees during the atrocious weather on the first day."

"It has also given us some all important match fitness after four months away [from competitive rally driving], and with only the Rallyfeste having been run here so far, there are not many others who can take two full days behind the wheel into Otago this weekend."

"So, as usual, we are all flat out getting everything ready for the annual trek south, but I have to say we can't wait to head out and have some skids.
Afterall, that's what it's all about - enjoying what we love to do and having lots of fun along the way."

FOOTNOTE: It has already been a memorable start to the year for both Richard and Sara, as they have each picked up another award for their outstanding performances in last year's rally season.

Last month Richard was named the Wairarapa Sportsperson of the Year

and last week Sara received news that she is the recipient of a prestigious New Zealand Universities Blue - for successfully combining sporting and academic achievement in 2006.
It is believed that Sara is the first ever Motorsport person to receive a Blue at this the highest level of NZ University awards.
Full details of NZU Blue recipients for 2006 are available from the USNZ website - www.universitysport.org.nz/events/blues/recipients

---------------------------------------------

For further information about the Scenic Circle Southern Cross Hotel Rally of Otago 13-15 April 2007 - www.otagorally.co.nz

For Rally Results & Information - www.chrissport.co.nz

For further information about the Vantage Aluminium Joinery 2007 New Zealand Rally Championship - www.motorsport.org.nz/Rally/nzrc/index.htm

Next.... Photo Album

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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	Mason Prepares For Rally Championship Threepeat By Chris Grant 11th April, 2007 Double New Zealand Rally Champion Richard Mason is relishing the prospect of the battles that lie ahead this year if he is to win his third successive New Zealand Rally Championship, which starts in Dunedin this weekend - April 13-15 - with the Scenic Circle Southern Cross Hotel Rally of Otago. In addition to the regular crop of domestic teams, international drivers will compete in the Vantage Aluminium Joinery sponsored series for the first time, with ex Hyundai and Mitsubishi WRC works driver Alister McRae and Subaru Rally Team USA's Ken Block joining the fray. "Just as we were given the opportunity in the P-WRC at Rally NZ [in November last year], we have always said we wanted to measure ourselves against quality offshore opposition, and now all of us get the chance to do that in a championship, rather than just in a one-off event. It should be great!" Richard, and current NZRC Co-Driver Champion Sara Randall, competed against McRae in China last year. They therefore have first hand experience of what he can do and are really looking forward to going head to head with him on, arguably, the best rally roads in the world, spread across Otago, Northland, Wairarapa, Hawkes Bay, Waitomo/Franklin/Raglan and Nelson over the next six months. "Otago is definitely one of our favourite, yet most frustrating, rounds. The roads are so challenging and technical with all their crests and brows, but, from an 'on-the-road' point of view, our five visits have brought us 3 x 2nds [2002 on debut, 2005 & 2006 - both on tie break] - a 3rd [2004] and a DNF [2003]. So naturally we are very keen to stand on the top step of the podium come Sunday afternoon." While the maximum possible points haul is always the Masterton Flyers goal at every outing, the Richard Mason Motorsport Team's major objective in Dunedin will be to complete a successful debut of their brand new BNT Subaru. The building of which has only just been completed over last (Easter) weekend, with the final act being to attach the 'EVOETA' licence plates that proved so successful last year on their six year old WRX. "It really is great to be in one of the latest spec Group N cars at last. We've managed a couple of brief test sessions and Dwight [Dwight Scott from ScottSpeed Performance Engines] is very happy with the engine he has prepared and we are equally pleased with the feel of the whole package. And it's neat to have the 'EVOETA' name live on to get another crack at the championship." "I must take this opportunity to thank Greg Horne and the team at BNT for reconfirming their commitment to back us again this year as early as Rally NZ, way back in November. It's that sort of support that is priceless because it has made our planning for 2007 - particularly the decision to get the new car - so much easier." "That said, it's still been a hectic start to the year, establishing relationships with new partners like Silverstone Tyres, pulling together all the pieces that it takes to construct a new car, plus going up to China for the first round of their championship late last month." "We had another great time in Shanghai and were pleased to finish 5th [and first Subaru], on what was a rally that really suited the Mitsubishis, and especially after our close encounter with some trees during the atrocious weather on the first day." "It has also given us some all important match fitness after four months away [from competitive rally driving], and with only the Rallyfeste having been run here so far, there are not many others who can take two full days behind the wheel into Otago this weekend." "So, as usual, we are all flat out getting everything ready for the annual trek south, but I have to say we can't wait to head out and have some skids. Afterall, that's what it's all about - enjoying what we love to do and having lots of fun along the way." FOOTNOTE: It has already been a memorable start to the year for both Richard and Sara, as they have each picked up another award for their outstanding performances in last year's rally season. Last month Richard was named the Wairarapa Sportsperson of the Year and last week Sara received news that she is the recipient of a prestigious New Zealand Universities Blue - for successfully combining sporting and academic achievement in 2006. It is believed that Sara is the first ever Motorsport person to receive a Blue at this the highest level of NZ University awards. Full details of NZU Blue recipients for 2006 are available from the USNZ website - www.universitysport.org.nz/events/blues/recipients --------------------------------------------- For further information about the Scenic Circle Southern Cross Hotel Rally of Otago 13-15 April 2007 - www.otagorally.co.nz For Rally Results & Information - www.chrissport.co.nz For further information about the Vantage Aluminium Joinery 2007 New Zealand Rally Championship - www.motorsport.org.nz/Rally/nzrc/index.htm 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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