Masons out to seal NZ title at home

TOP TEAM: Richard and Sara Mason share a congratulatory hug after a job well done in the recent Rally of Canterbury. PHOTO/GEOFF & KATE RIDDER

Three wins from three starts means crack Masterton husband-and-wife team Richard and Sara Mason can seal overall victory in the 2014 Brian Green Property Group New Zealand Rally Championship at this weekend's Trusthouse Racetech Rally Wairarapa.

The Masons hold a 68-point lead at the halfway mark of this year's championship, a lead which is so large there are only four other drivers left - of the 30 registered - who still have a mathematical chance of taking the title.

So as the NZRC returns to the North Island for the three remaining rounds where a maximum 90 points are on offer, the Masons need just 16 of those 90 to achieve their goal of winning a record fifth New Zealand Rally Championship.

A third place at Wairarapa and fifth fastest through the event's Power Stage would be enough to shut out the opposition with two rounds to spare - yet another NZRC record for the country's leading rallying couple.

That then is a scenario where it would be reasonable to expect the Masons to ease their pace and cruise through the nine stage, 163km rally to ensure those placings are achieved.

However when they steer their bright yellow BNT Subaru away at the Tui Brewery early on Saturday morning, rest assured "YEAH RIGHT" would be their reaction to that sort of question, as having fun, going fast and winning rallies is what motivates them most.

"There's no doubt we go to every rally wanting to win," said Richard Mason.

"And even though our awesome start to the season means we are within touching distance of taking out our fifth title there would be nothing better than winning it at our home rally - for the eighth time - in front of all our family, friends and supporters."

Mason is also quick to point out that wife Sara is just one round win away from equalling Bob Haldane record of 24 successes as a co-driver in the NZRC and a further incentive is that no driver has ever won the NZRC with a clean sweep, something which would be "rather cool".

After the ever popular BNT Mason Motorsport colouring competition and the Rally Welcome - including the start order draw for the top five - at the Copthorne Solway Park Resort and Hotel at 6pm on Friday evening, the 70-car field will start from the Tui Brewery headquarters at Mangatainoka from 7am. They then head to the nine classic high-speed special stages around Pongaroa, Castle Hill, and Masterton before the finish at Solway Park from 5pm.