Holder makes successful NZRC return
David Holder returned to the NZRC with a third place finish at Rally Coromandel. Photo: Scott Johnson
Mount Maunganui’s David Holder has made a superb return to the Brian Green Property Group New Zealand Rally Championship with a podium finish at the Mahindra Goldrush Rally Coromandel.
In his first event with co-driver Jason Farmer, Holder promised a conservative start but by the time he returned to the first service, had moved into fifth place, only three tenths of a second behind third place, but with a concern around noise coming from the rear differential.
Despite the noise, which appeared to not affect the performance of the car, Holder increased his pace heading into the longer stages three and four as a pair of third placings moved him up into a comfortable third place.
Topping the time sheets in special stage five showed that any demons from the opening round crash had been avenged and he continued on to maintain his third place across the day’s remaining stages, while also picking up a bonus point for fifth fastest time on the power stage.
“It was pretty much the perfect rally back for us, for sure the driving wasn’t perfect by any means but I felt like we ticked all the boxes throughout the day and it was nice to be rewarded with a podium finish to sweeten the comeback too,” said Holder at the Whitianga finish.
“Getting a stage win amongst fierce competition had to be the highlight for Jase and I. It was probably the one stage throughout the day where we both felt like everything fell into place, in contrast the very next stage I personally struggled for rhythm and had a fairly average one, so now the challenge is to replicate that performance on every stage of every rally.
“The combination of Jase and I in the car worked really well, something I’m stoked about as you never really know how well things will gel between two people until you place them in the heat of competition. That is especially the case in rallying where I need to be able to rely on my co-driver 100% everytime without doubt. I got that from the start over the weekend so it’s a good feeling moving forward.”
With the massive support from his sponsors and those who have donated time and money to allow his comeback, Holder now focuses on trying to find the budget to compete in the series finale, Rally Wairarapa, on October 3.
”The focus for us now is to do our very best to make an appearance at the final round of the championship in the Wairarapa. As with many teams, money can be a deciding factor in competing, but with hard work I hope we can pull it off.”
Holder Brothers Racing would like to thank the sponsors that make their campaign possible; Stadium Cars, Stadium Finance, Force Automotive, VINZ, Provident Insurance, Bell Booth Limited, Reaction Racing, NZ Carbon Farming, Endless Brakes, Team Ralliart NZ, Monit Rally Computers, Amplified Customs – Signwriting, Attentive Design, Tauranga Beaurepaires, Dunlop, Total Lubricants Mt Maunganui, Sew Hot Monograms, Mount Wheel Alignment, and Hayden Paddon.
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