"The fact this is also an Asia Pacific Rally round means there will be a lot more competition racing, and it makes it harder to place overall, but it doesn't change things for the national championship, and I think we're in with a good chance," Thompson said.
The Team Dilusi Rallying pair of Thompson and Australian-based co-driver Allen placed fifth overall last year in their second national championship campaign. "We are looking to go better this year, and our goal is a podium finish," Thompson added.
Preparations for the 2012 campaign have gone smoothly to date, and Thompson was happy with how his Mitsubishi Lancer EVO X was running.
"John arrived from Aussie on Tuesday night and we are taking the car out for some testing before heading to Whangarei to do the recce today ... we have made some refinements on the car since last year and so far we're happy with it," Thompson explained.
All 49 teams contesting the rally have the opportunity to do a reconnaissance today over the 16 stage course, before assembling in Whangarei with the organisers to open the event.
Special Stage One and Five at Parahi (22.72km) are new to this year's rally, which will spice things up, Thompson said.
"No one is familiar with them, so it is a bit of an advantage to us because of our lack of experience in comparison to some of the drivers ... it makes it more of an even playing field," he said.
This year's campaign will be Thompson's third contesting the entire national championships and his fifth year rallying, and he was amped to make it a successful one. "I'm definitely excited about this weekend. This is one of my favourite courses because it is fast-flowing and because it has lots of camber. The recent rain we had in the area should make the roads better as the gravel will be more bound."
The rally is also contested by clubman's category competitors, where it counts as a round of the Top Half Rally Series, which Whangarei brother/sister duo of Brendan and Natasha Oakden are contesting, in their Subaru Impreza.
Tomorrow, spectators can see the drivers in action in a lunch-time rally-car street parade around central Whangarei, before most of the drivers hit the waters of the Quayside Town Basin to tackle the waka challenge.
Drivers will be in Whangarei's Cameron Street Mall from 3.30pm for an autograph signing before the start ceremony at 4.30pm.
The rally starts and finishes at Quayside Town Basin, beginning on Saturday morning and concluding with a ceremonial finish from 3pm on Sunday.
