KEY POINTS:
Chris West's position on this year's New Zealand Rally Championships table belies the fact that, since 2000, he has been the the man to beat.
After many years of success for Subaru, it came as some surprise that it was no longer going to support a rally team in New Zealand.
But West, who has won 11 titles over 11 years, hopes to continue his winning ways with a new sponsor in a new car.
The duo of West and co-driver Garry Cowan will stage a full assault on the 2008 New Zealand Rally Championships (NZRC) in a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution nine, fully supported by the Andrew Simms Mitsubishi dealership in Newmarket, Auckland.
The team had their first full hit-out during the recent round of the FIA WRC, which also included the penultimate round of the NZ championships.
West is looking forward to the Nelson round of the championship as each outing in the car has been a step in the right direction. Nelson will also be used to keep rally-race miles up and fine-tune the car.
He said the new car was not set up properly at the beginning but each time out was a step in the right direction and "it's continuing to improve each time we race".
"It's exciting preparing and launching a whole new campaign," he said. "While I haven't been involved in this year's championship, Andrew [Simms] and I have been working hard to ensure we begin 2008 with the best possible package.
"The more I can learn about the car's characteristics now, the better prepared we'll be for next year's NZRC."
No stranger to campaigning a Mitsubishi, West is pleased to have joined the dealership-backed team.
"Garry and I began competing together in a Mitsubishi seven years ago and to be given the opportunity to work with team owner Andrew Simms, Mitsubishi and everyone in this new team is very satisfying."
Simms is confident that West and the brand-new Evo IX will have what it takes to clinch the NZRC title again in 2008.
"We've signed Chris up because he's been the most consistent performer in New Zealand rallying for the past five years," said Simms. "We've left no stone unturned in building what will be the best rally car in New Zealand. This will be a 100 per cent professional team with one goal - to win the NZRC."
The Simms team have commissioned Mitsubishi Ralliart to prepare and run the car for the championship.
"Ralliart are in the best position to develop an Evo for competition," said Simms. "They have access to a lot of international data held by Mitsubishi globally and to genuine Ralliart parts. Ralliart NZ runs competitors in events here and overseas and they offer the most experienced, professional service available in New Zealand."
Simms demonstrated his commitment to the deal by lending West his own car to compete at the beginning of the year as the race car was not fully prepared.
West found it hard not being able to compete at the highest level and be in a position to win, but realises that this year is about preparation and getting to know the idiosyncrasies of the new car.
"My plan is to get to know the new car and adapt my driving style to enable me to get the best out of our car," said West.
The Simms dealership can see the potential of great exposure in the sponsorship deal and, after 2008, there is an option on two more years.
"There are no plans at present to contest any of the Asia Pacific championship rounds but you never know," said West.
The assault on next year's championship starts in earnest in May in Otago, a place some would say is West's home track.
"Not so," says West. "All rallies have their own appeal but I like Whangarei."
