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MASON GOES EAST TO TAKE ON WEST |
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| This will also be a very hectic fortnight for Richard and co-driver Sara Randall as they will fly out of Napier immediately after the rally bound for China to drive a 2003 spec Subaru Impreza WRX STI in the next round of the China National Rally Championship. They will drive for the local GT Tires Team, who have used top Australian’s Cody Crocker and Ed Ordynski – successfully - on earlier events this year, while current Subaru WRC works driver Chris Atkinson competed in this particular car for them last year. “We are really honoured to receive the invitation [which came through after Rotorua] and naturally leapt at the chance to rally overseas, let alone in a top car and in a series that we understand attracts European based crews and is apparently very competitive. It will be a whole new experience [simply turning up to drive] as until now all our rallying has been done in cars the Richard Mason Motorsport Team have prepared and we have run ourselves.” The rally runs over the weekend of August 6th and 7th. |
Masterton’s
Richard Mason knows beating Chris West at Rally Hawke’s Bay is the only
result that will make this round of the Parker-ENZED New Zealand Rally
Championship (NZRC) a success for the Team. That’s because Mason starts this Single Leg round 3 points behind the defending national champion and with double points up for grabs, finishing only one place ahead could see as much as a 10 point swing in the championship chase. “There’s no question we have to beat Westy in the Bay, otherwise our chances at Nelson next month [the final round on September 10th & 11th] will be so much tougher. And with that one being another double points round too, I think the pressure has never been so great, as a bad result next weekend will effectively end anyone’s title hopes there and then – and yet there is so much to be gained by going for it and doing well!!!” “Just look at Mark’s [Tapper] situation. If he continues to run so hot and wins Hawke’s Bay, he can regain the championship lead if Westy and I both fail to make the podium. However if we both beat him and he finishes third, he could find himself 40 points adrift going to Nelson. Now that’s what I call pressure…..for all of us.” “That means the slightest hiccup – a wrong tyre choice, a spin, a puncture or a minor car problem - is going to be so costly, especially when this round covers only 150k in seven stages – and on only one day. But when it comes down to it , that’s just what makes it all so challenging and so much fun.” The Bayswater Rally Hawke’s Bay is round 5 of the 6 round Parker-ENZED New Zealand Rally Championship and begins in Napier with a Ceremonial Start at 6.30pm on Friday night July 29th. The crews will then re-assemble in Wairoa from 8am on Saturday 30th for 7 special stages on a variety of open county and forestry roads. The final high-speed test will be the spectator-friendly ‘Triple Bridges’ between Napier and Hastings just after 5pm before the Official Finish and After-Rally Function at McLean Park from 6pm. For Bayswater Rally Hawke’s Bay Information – www.hbcarclub.com For full Parker-ENZED New Zealand Rally Championship Points and Information - www.motorsport.org.nz/Rally/ For further information about Richard Mason and Richard Mason Motorsport – www.richardmason.co.nz |
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