All Roads Lead to Rally Wairarapa

As the 75 crews entered in the Trusthouse Racetech Rally Wairarapa head to Masterton to prepare for this weekends event, it is lucky that all roads do still lead to Masterton.
With the severe rain that struck the northern Wairarapa, many roads were under water between Eketahuna and Paihiatua on Monday. Fortunately the water has receded, and slips have been cleared to allow the event to run. All be it with one casualty, where Special Stage 11 has been cancelled due to areas of the road that have been undermined and damage to the roads that allow access to the competitive section.
As the final round of the Vantage Aluminium NZ Rally Championship the pressure will be on the national championship contenders. 9 championship titles are still up for grabs, and after a tough weekend on the Nelson roads, the last three weeks have seen many competitors busy.
Emma Gilmour suffered badly from an engine down on power at the last event. An engine transplant has been their solution to cure the car’s ills, while Gilmour herself has spent time recovering from a sinus infection that affected her performance in Nelson.
However Gilmour will be buoyed by the news that she has been voted the best female rally driver in the world by the World Rally Ranking web site. She certainly needs to show that talent if she is to catch Dean Sumner, who now lies 29 points ahead, to lead the Goldstar title race.
A number of competitors will be looking to get some rest this weekend, as they travel up from Canterbury. The earthquake damage and aftershocks are a national concern and we all know many people affected to greater or lesser degrees. Two such competitors are Chris West and Matt Jansen. While West is looking to chase down a rally win and championship points, Jansen is looking to improve on his earlier efforts in the season.
For both teams it has been a matter of making the changes needed and picking up the pieces to be at Wairarapa. West lives close to Darfield and his house has suffered damage, but with the huge effort in the weeks prior to rebuild the Mitsubishi Lancer after the Nelson rally, Westy wasn’t about to let his team’s hard work and efforts go to waste.
The competitor that appears to have been most affected is Brent Rawstron, who had planned to compete in the classic Rossendale Ford Escort. However severe damage to his farm has meant that he needs to attend to those far more important issues.
As always the other leading contender is local hero Richard Mason. He is determined to win his home event and regain the Rally Wairarapa trophy. With a frustrating season almost behind him, as he continues to find the best setup for his new Subaru Impreza, Richard made a big step forward at Rally Nelson, taking second overall. He is now looking to one place better and finish the season with a flourish.
Once again the Masons have generously supported this event with promotional activities. This includes putting their car on display, working with the local More FM radio station, and being involved with the kids colouring competition, to win in a customised BNT Motorsport Xbox 360.
Now as the teams converge on Masterton, the first order of business is the driver’s signing session and ceremonial start at the Copthorn Solway park from 5:30pm. Malcolm Stewart’s famous Audi Quattro Group B rally car will also be on display.
This is an ideal way for the whole family to meet the competitors, get up close to the cars and be a part of the special atmosphere that is the Trusthouse Racetech Rally Wairarapa.

Pic  Richard & Sara Mason at High Speed in Nelson
Photo Credit: Jody Seabright