Motorsport: Hawkes Bay Rally leaders in showdown

Subaru drivers Chris West and Richard Mason head into the first stage of the Hawkes Bay Rally this morning knowing that whoever blinks first may lose the national championship.

With two rounds to go, defending champion West leads Mason by three points. After seven stages today the winner will earn 64 points, with second worth 54.

Aucklander Mark Tapper, in a Mitsubishi, is 24 points adrift but will keep the leaders honest. Any mistakes could make the final round at Nelson a lost cause.

"It's a difficult position to be in," said Mason. "With the points on offer we have to consider the car and not pushing over the edge because of the implication of not finishing.

"If Mark continues to run so hot and wins, he can regain the championship lead if Westy and I both fail to make the podium."

The Hawkes Bay event is being held around Wairoa, with the final test a 9.8km river access road near Napier.

Lee-Anne Barns (Mitsubishi) leads the rookie championship from James Holder (Toyota).