Whangarei driver Ben Jagger says it's time to pick up the pace at the second round of the Rally New Zealand Rally Champion- ship this weekend.
In the opening round of the season last month in Otago, Jagger finished seventh in the Group N Championship after displaying a consistent and level-headed
drive throughout the rally.
The good result for Jagger, 22, and co-driver Ben Hawkins, 26, had to overcome obstacles including gearbox problems and losing a wheel after catching the street kerb during the special stage through the streets of Dunedin.
"We were very pleased with our result there after aiming at being inside the top 10," Jagger said.
"I didn't think we were going too hard and I think we can afford to push a bit harder this weekend ... I cut things a little close on the street stage but luckily we were able to carry on with just three wheels and finish."
Jagger and the team made improvements on the SeedForce Subaru Impreza WRX during the off-season and the Northland driver was pleased to report the car showed good potential at the completion of the opening rally.
"The car is going very well and seems to be pretty quick. I'm looking forward to this weekend and I think we will be strong there. I like the roads they use at this rally and we have notes for them already so I think we can expect to do well," he said.
Rally New Zealand starts at 8am from Hampton Downs Motorsport Park with a field of more than 70 cars completing eight stages in the Franklin and North Waikato regions with a further six special stages tomorrow.
Geraldine's Haydon Paddon leads the Brian Green Property Group NZ Rally Championship standings ahead of Dean Sumner and Chris West.
Kerikeri's Kingsley Thompson, who missed the first rally of the season in Otago returns to the fray this weekend in his Mitsubishi Evo 10.
