BNT Mason Motorsport make it three from three with victory at NZRC Rally Canterbury
Championship leaders with their third consecutive rally win, Richard & Sara Mason. Photo: Geoff Ridder
Four times New Zealand Rally Champions Richard and Sara Mason continued their domination of the 2014 Brian Green Property Group New Zealand Rally Championship -driven by Vinz [NZRC] with a third straight victory at last weekend’s Lone Star Rally of Canterbury.
In another measured, clinical display that ranged from driving to survive the treacherous muddy and icy conditions of the two opening night stages, to putting the hammer down first thing the next morning and surging into a lead that they controlled through to the finish.
“We said before the rally ‘with what is forecast for down here this weekend, a steady risk-free approach could well be the way to go and under the circumstances, could still even result in the maximum return…,” said Richard. “And that is exactly the way things turned out.”
“The Saturday night stages were interesting, as the changes in grip levels were totally random, going from amazingly good to non-existent in just a few metres..and often in the middle of corners. We decided during recce that getting safely through the night unscathed was paramount, so we reverted to a steady-as-she-goes approach to ensure we lived to fight another day.. That decision really paid off as the slippery downhill run over the last part of stage 2 claimed several crews and apparently caused moments for most.”
“The cold, clear weather throughout the rally meant that even at midday on Sunday, parts of the roads were still frozen and come 3pm for the rerun through the forest, the surface was white in a lot of places. So driving at a measured pace that was enough to keep the opposition at bay was definitely the way to go.”
“Thanks to the great work at service time by Dwight, Simon, Cade, and Robert, and all the help from the rest of the BNT Mason Motorsport Team, particularly having to operate outside on Saturday night in such very cold conditions, the BNT Subaru ran without any real issues.”
The Masterton Flyers now hold a whopping 68 point lead at the halfway mark in the championship. A lead which is so large that there are only 4 other drivers left – of the 29 registered – who still have a mathematical chance of taking the title.
So as the NZRC for 2014 returns to the North Island for the last three rounds, the Masons need 16 more points – out of a maximum possible 90 – to achieve their goal of winning a record 5th New Zealand Rally Championship.
“Our ‘home’ rally [the Trusthouse Racetech Rally Wairarapa] is next at the end of this month,” said Richard, “so now we are in such a strong position it would be awesome to get those 16 points in Masterton and win the championship in front of all our family, friends and supporters – just like we did when we won our second title in 2006…”
BNT Mason Motorsport are very proud to again have the support of BNT, Dunlop, B.W.O’Brien, ScottSpeed Performance Engines, Geartech, MCA Suspension, Hopper Construction, Race Brakes, Randall & Associates, Quality Foods and Tom’s Autos, without whose invaluable assistance they would not be able to be celebrating a decade at the top of NZ rallying.
The BNT Subaru negotiates a frosty corner on the first stage on Sunday morning. Photo: Geoff Ridder
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