"I have very fond memories of the old Taihape rallies," said Mason. "That's where I got my first outright rally win, in the Evo3 [Mitsubishi Lancer] I had back in those days.
"They are awesome stages and will be a real challenge, especially those early ones in the dark and just after dawn.
"We were very disappointed to be forced to stop [in the last round]. We were driving well within ourselves and at a pace that had us comfortably in front, so there's no reason we can't replicate that form this weekend ."
But drivers in the chasing pack will also be keen to end their seasons on a high.
Find of the season David Holder has a narrow three-point lead over Ben Hunt with Matt Summerfield 16 points back.
Lance Williams, Graham Featherstone and Phil Campbell are also all within touching distance of snatching a season-ending podium finish if the others falter.
But all eyes will be on the battle of the two youngsters lying second and third, as both have had podium finishes this year.
Richard and Sara Mason have a point to prove. Picture / Kate Ridder
Holder has made many take notice and this weekend he has one of the best co-drivers in world rallying. WRC campaigner and Hyundai Motorsport works driver Hayden Paddon is lending Holder his co-driver John Kennard to help mentor the young driver's skills.
"I'm a little nervous about it," said Holder. "The first time John and I will sit together will be in the dark and there is plenty to play for.
"But they don't get much better than John and having the opportunity to learn from him is exciting and no doubt will be beneficial."
Hunt will have his regular co-driver, Tony Rawstorn. The pair had their first national win at last year's Daybreaker Rally and have been there, or thereabouts, all season.
They could be closer to Mason but for small, frustrating problems all season. A puncture in the last round cost Hunt a podium place and put him down to third in the championship.
"We're not going to do anything different," said Hunt. "We won this event last year and it would be awesome to do that again, but every rally this year we've had problems or punctures. It would be great to have a clean run and see where we end up."
A field of 42 cars will line up this morning for two stages that will take them north from Palmerston North to the first service and breakfast at Taihape. Further stages to the west and south of Taihape are covered including the longest test at Pakihikura (42.8km).
The 24km final stage is the challenging Ridge Road, after which the cars return to Palmerston North in the late afternoon.
SuperTourers' ready to roll
NZ SuperTourers takes to the Taupo Motorsport Park track this weekend for the first endurance round.
During the off-season many Kiwi regular drivers have been negotiating with compatriots across the ditch. While not many main game V8 Supercars drivers are making the trip, local favourite Shane van Gisbergen will be there, as will Jack Perkins, Chaz Mostert, Dale Wood and Tim Slade .
They'll be joined by part-time Aussie drivers Steve Owen, Shae Davies, Tony D'Alberto and Paul Morris as co-pilots with the Kiwis.
Also in the field are former New Zealand V8 champions Paul Manual, John McIntyre and Angus Fogg.
New-generation Kiwi tin top drivers such as Simon Evans, Richard Moore and Ant Pedersen will be looking to take one of the biggest scalps in New Zealand V8 racing this season.
Four-time Bathurst winner Greg Murphy has every intention of retaining his crown and, with Perkins sharing driving duties, they'll be a formidable pair.
They won't be having it all their own way, though, especially from the pairing of Evans and van Gisbergen.
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