"The roads - like most of the lower North Island, are twisty and technical in style, and I enjoy that. They are roads I can really get stuck into, particularly Ridge Rd. It is a real challenge and one you can get your teeth into."
Mason said it was disappointing Paddon would not be among his rivals as he felt the battle between them was getting closer but he expects the two to lock horns later in the season as the national championship draws to a close.
This weekend's event will start at the Manfeild race circuit at 8.30am on Saturday and the cars will then head north towards Beaconsfield and on to Pakihikura Rd. At 26.64km, this is the longest special stage of the day and is likely to provide a good idea of who will grab the major spoils, mechanical hassles excepted.
Competitors then utilise double-run Londons Ford, Utuwai and Tunipo roads before the journey breaks in Apiti for a 30-minute service stop. Repeating the loop in the early afternoon, the drivers will return for a 40-minute service before they tackle the remaining two stages, the first of them over 24.11km and featuring Ridge Rd and the second over 7.97km on McBeth Rd, on the outskirts of Kimbolton. As the nominated "power stage", it offers an additional monetary and point-scoring opportunity.
