Mason sets his sights

Masterton's Richard Mason knows he has to beat Chris West at this weekend's Rally Hawke's Bay.
That's because Mason, campaigning the Total Oils Tom's Autos Subaru Impreza, starts this single leg round three points behind the defending national champion and with double points up for grabs ? 64 for 1st, 54 for 2nd, 46 for 3rd, 40 for 4th etc ? finishing only one place ahead could see as much as a 10 point swing in the championship chase. In fact even placing 6th/7th still provides a 4 point differential, although finishing that far down will let others back into the title fight.
"There's no question we have to beat Westy in the Bay, otherwise our chances at Nelson next month (the final round on September 10 & 11) will be so much tougher. And with that one being another double points round too, I think the pressure has never been so great, as a bad result next weekend will effectively end anyone's title hopes there and then ? and yet there is so much to be gained by going for it and doing well.
"Just look at Mark's (Tapper) situation. If he continues to run so hot and wins Hawke's Bay, he can regain the championship lead if Westy and I both fail to make the podium. However if we both beat him and he finishes third, he could find himself 40 points adrift going to Nelson. Now that's what I call pressure?..for all of us.
"That means the slightest hiccup ? a wrong tyre choice, a spin, a puncture or a minor car problem ? is going to be so costly, especially when this round covers only 150k in seven stages ? and on only one day. But when it comes down to it, that's just what makes it all so challenging and so much fun."
The Bayswater Rally Hawke's Bay is round 5 of the 6 round Parker-ENZED New Zealand Rally Championship and begins in Napier with a Ceremonial Start at 6.30pm on Friday night July 29th. The crews will then re-assemble in Wairoa from 8am on Saturday 30th for 7 special stages on a variety of open county and forestry roads.
The final high-speed test will be the spectator-friendly "Triple Bridges" between Napier and Hastings just after 5pm before the official finish and after-rally function at McLean Park from 6pm.
TV3 will screen 1 hour's coverage of the Bayswater Rally Hawke's Bay on ARENA at 2pm on Sunday August 21st.