Motorsport
It will be very interesting to see how we actually measure up against some of the lightweight rocket ships we have heard have been built and tested during the off season.Richard Mason, driver
Four-time champion Richard Mason of Masterton finished second when the opening round of the 2013 New Zealand Rally Championship - the 807.28km Drivesouth Rally of Otago - was held on Saturday and Sunday.
Mason, and co-driver, wife Sara, were 4min 25s down on the winning combination of Hayden Paddon from Geraldine and John Kennard of Blenheim.
Paddon, 25, driving a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo9, accrued maximum championship points by winning both days and the event's final test, the 10.94km Whare Flat "power stage" with the five bonus points achieved also putting $500 cash in the pocket.