Fraser’s throwback livery providing platform to succeed
Paul Fraser claimed a comfortable victory in the Historic 2WD class at Otago Rally and has taken a significant step towards a title push despite being motivated by other factors this season.
With a tribute livery on his Ford Escort, Fraser is carrying the Masport colours made famous by the 1979 Rally New Zealand winning car of Hannu Mikkola.
After grabbing maximum points at the season-opener, Fraser is delighted with how he is placed ahead of the second round at South Canterbury next week.
“I couldn’t have asked for anything better – two days of rallying on great roads and the car performed, as it has in the past, just perfectly,” Fraser said.
“It is a great car to drive and brings a smile to my face.”
The car turned heads at Otago with the tribute livery made famous by the Masport team of the late 1970s that featured legendary Finn Mikkola.
“That livery brings back a lot of memories,” Fraser said.
“In 1979 I did the international and Hannu Mikkola drove a car looking very similar to that. I was in the rally but didn’t last very long and Hannu Mikkola won it, so it has always been something in the back of my mind to have a bit of a nostalgic look.
“It has been great to have that feeling.
“I’m not Hannu Mikkola – the car has potential, but this driver hasn’t,” he laughed.
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