Motorsport: Clean getaway puts Mason in command

Richard Mason was in familiar territory in the international motor rally of Whangarei yesterday - in front.

The national series leader holds a lead of 25 seconds over Hayden Paddon heading into the final day today, after a dominant display over eight gravel stages. In a BNT Subaru, Mason won four of the stages, while Paddon won two.

Starting eighth on the road, behind the international entries in the third round of the Asia Pacific rally championship series, Mason benefited from a cleaner road surface.

"We had some suspension issues in the morning but the car was a lot better this afternoon," Mason said.

During the first day, Mason and Paddon showed three-time FIA Asia Pacific rally champion Cody Crocker a clean pair of heels. Young Australian driver Brendon Reeves held third.

As the top seed and therefore first on the road, Crocker had to contend with heavily metalled roads during the first runs through each of the day's four stages, which were repeated in the afternoon.

The gravel affected Taguchi and Paddon to a lesser extent, while Mason had the advantage of a much less-gravelled running line as he ran eighth on the road behind the APRC-registered competitors.

Despite the gravel, Paddon, the current New Zealand rally champion, took the first stage win, ahead of Reeves.

Mason then won the four longest of the day's eight stages, slowly establishing and then increasing lead over Paddon by day's end.

Overall, New Zealanders Emma Gilmour and Chris West are sixth and seventh respectively with Indian driver Gaurav Gill in eighth. In the APRC standings Crocker leads the chase for points. Paddon's efforts have moved him into the lead of the Pacific Cup.

Today sees competitors tackle eight further special stages on roads in the Kaipara and Whangarei districts.