Seasoned Gisborne navigator Glenn Mason expects the Kiwis to be too strong for the internationals in the group A division of the 2016 UIM Jetsprint World Championship, starting at Meremere tomorrow. Which New Zealand combo will be standing on top of the podium is the question.
Mason is once againalongside Hamilton driver Sam Newdick in the PSP Building Brands boat — one of two combos in the PSP team for the two-rounds champs, starting in Meremere tomorrow. Mason, who Newdick has described as “a calming influence” is familiar with world championship intensity.
The brother of Robyn Briant, Mason was part of Peter Briant’s epic campaign during which he won virtually every title on offer including victories in the United States and Australia. The experience inspired Mason to go from support crew to one of the two hot seats and he has pointed Newdick to national titles over the past two years, and a third placing at the 2012 worlds. The pair are vying for a third consecutive New Zealand crown but will have to come from behind to achieve it.
Mason said they had installed a new engine this year and were still trying to get the entire package dialled in. That has them chasing leader Blake Briant (Gisborne), who Mason says has “given everyone a wake-up call”. Mason expects a New Zealand flag to be flying highest when the group A world champion is decided in Mount Maunganui next weekend.
“Nothing’s a given but I would imagine the New Zealand front-runners would take some beating. I’d be pretty surprised if anyone from overseas can match it.”
The four-crew Australian group A contingent could have something to say about that and, as Mason would be the first to attest, you just never know what this sport is going to throw at you.
Mason is certain that the two UIM world series rounds will produce tense and thrilling racing. Those who saw last year’s edge-of-the-seat doubleheader weekend at Mount Maunganui’s Baypark would agree. The Newdick-Mason combo pipped Briant-Hoogerbrug at both events — by just 0.05 of a second on the first night and 0.034 the next.
Mason enjoys racing on all tracks but said the Baypark experience was “bloody enjoyable”. Adding his name to the Gisborne list of world champions would be special. But he knows all too well that looking that far ahead is dangerous.
