Horan ponders major NZRC assault 

Brian Green Property Group New Zealand Rally Championship boom rookie Raana Horan is seriously considering a full-out assault on the championship in 2019.

A relative newcomer to the sport, Horan has vast experience in off-road racing but has turned heads and caught the eye of some astute judges in his brief NZRC career thus far.

Horan made his debut at last year’s Rally New Zealand before a superb drive at the Otago Rally earned him the Dunlop Drive of the Rally.

He showed some brilliant speed again at Whangarei and will look to continue that form at this weekend’s Lone Star Rally Canterbury.

But on top of trying his best to get a good result this year Horan is evaluating what his longer-term goals are, which could include getting a more modern car for 2019.

“I am sitting on the fence still just having a think about it,” Horan admitted. “Once you have a crack – to have a real good crack you have to front up with some good equipment.

“I have the last of the old stuff, which is fine for now, but stepping up for the next bit I need to have a think about that one because I don’t want to come and make up the numbers.”

If he was to make the move to a new generation car in time for next season Horan would need to make a call fairly quickly. That is something he will continue to ponder while all the time growing his rallying knowledge.

“I think you would have to treat this year as a practice year and then next year hook into it with the latest and greatest of everything and add a bit of track knowledge for next season so you have some experience with it,” Horan added.

The 2018 New Zealand Rally Championship is proudly supported by Brian Green Property Group, Gull New Zealand, Dunlop New Zealand, Hella New Zealand and Stadium Finance