Just one goal for Holder at Daybreaker
David Holder is aiming to secure second in the 2014 NZRC at this weekends final round. Photo: Euan Cameron
Mount Maunganui’s David Holder heads to the final round of the Brian Green Property Group New Zealand Rally Championship driven by VINZ, the GoPro Daybreaker Rally, keen to defend his second place in the championship standings.
Still in his first season in a four-wheel drive car, Holder stunned the rallying community when he held the lead on the opening leg of round one of the championship before fuelling issues cost him precious time.
Since that event, the 25-year old has overcome many challenges to record podium finishes in each of the four rounds and heads to the final round knowing exactly what the goal is, but with plenty of thoughts on how to achieve that result.
A new format for the Palmerston North-based Daybreaker sees one of the longest and most gruelling days of rallying the NZRC has seen in at least ten years, with close to 200km of special stages encompassing a more than 12-hour round trip that leaves the Manawatu from 3.50am. This means Holder will have to balance the need for speed to run at the top of the field with the requirement for survival, as failing to finish will prove costly.
Helping him to find the perfect mix will be a new co-driver for the event, with John Kennard joining the team. Kennard needs little introduction to rallying fans as a regular co-driver in the World Rally Championship alongside Holder’s mentor Hayden Paddon.
As usual, the Stadium Cars Mitsubishi Evo 8 is ready to attack the Daybreaker stages thanks to the effort of Mike at Force Automotive, including recently replacing the cylinder head after finding a crack in the original unit.
“Once again Mike has worked his magic and I’m fully confident the Stadium Cars Mitsubishi will be good to go when I jump in the seat rather early on Saturday morning,” says Holder. “There is certainly a lot to play for in this one and we want nothing more than to claim second place. It would be easy to go flat out and we certainly can’t afford to cruise, but we can’t afford any problems or a mistake either. Added to that, there will be plenty to learn from John, so it will certainly be a full on event!”
This year sees the Daybreaker event, which is based out of Palmerston North, return to the traditional early morning start with the first car hitting the road at 3.50am before venturing as far north as Taihape. After close to 200km of special stages, teams will return to the finish in The Square at Palmerston North at 4.30pm
Holder Brothers Racing would like to thank and acknowledge the support of:
Stadium Cars, Gull Fuel, VINZ, Magnum Compliance, Force Automotive, Reaction Racing, Endless Brakes, Prelim, Sew Hot Monograms, Nichibo, Mount Wheel Alignment, Speedy Signs Tauranga, Attentive Design, Jason Gorton Building, Bay Panel Beaters, Tauranga Beaurepaires, Dunlop, Total Lubricants Mt Maunganui and Monit Rally Computers.
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