Hat-trick for winning couple

Richard and Sara Mason have done it again.

The Masterton couple made it three wins in the 2014 Brian Green Property Group New Zealand Rally Championship when they took out the Lone Star Canterbury Rally over the weekend. And, in doing so, they brought their dream of a record-breaking fifth NZRC title even closer to reality.

The Masons went into their latest assignment "expecting the unexpected".

The Canterbury rally has a habit of producing sub-zero temperatures and icy conditions and Richard Mason's pre-race thoughts were that a steady risk-free approach could be the catalyst to victory.

They were, however, given a decent run for their money by the combination of Ben Hunt and Tony Rawstorn who finished just 1min 3secs behind them. Third placing went to David Holder and Ben Hawkins who were 3mins 18secs off the pace.

The Masons were also well aware that a third straight success, following on those at Whangarei and Otago, would give a substantial advantage on the driver's championship points table going into their home event, the Rally of Wairarapa, at the end of this month.

Going into the Rally of Canterbury, Richard Mason was 45pts clear of his nearest rivals and his victory there has seen him increase that margin to

a very healthy 68pts. The Masons are sitting on 114pts, followed by Lance Williams 46, Matt Summerfield 39, David Holder 38 and Ben Hunt 36.

It's a similar story in the co-driver's championship. There Sara Mason has 114pts and leads from Raymond Bennett 48, Nicole Summerfield 41, Tony Rawstorn 40 and Ben Hawkins 38.

The Lone Star Rally of Canterbury got under way with a Rally Show and Ceremonial Start from the Palms Shopping Mall in Shirley on Saturday afternoon at 4.45pm. Crews then headed to the Okuku Forest, west of Rangiora for two night stages starting at 6pm on demanding forest roads in the foothills.

Sunday's competition headed as far north as Cheviot for a further six stages. A total of 153km was covered in all with the Masons winning in 1hr 39mins 29.8secs.