KEY POINTS:
Champion rally driver Richard Mason has created the chance to achieve what no other New Zealander has done - win a round of the Production World Rally Championship (PWRC).
The two-time New Zealand champion has negotiated a start in the PWRC in next month's round of the FIA World Rally Championship in the Waikato.
He finished runner-up in the PWRC - and 10th overall - as a wildcard entry in Rally New Zealand last year and has the chance to go one better in the World Rally Championship round at the end of this month.
Mason, who drives his Subaru Impreza alongside his fiancee and co-driver Sara Randall, controversially missed out on one of the two New Zealand guest entries for the PWRC for this year, which went to up-and-comers Hayden Paddon and Emma Gilmour.
"We were racing in China when we heard the news. From that point we have looked for any chance to get a start in the PWRC at Rally New Zealand," says Mason.
"We could have started with the other non-priority drivers at the back of the field, but frankly, having had a taste of this top-level competition last year, that no longer means too much as we pursue the bigger picture.
"The PWRC includes some of the best rally drivers in the world.
"Our aim is to mount a campaign to run in the PWRC in the future. So another strong performance in it here this year would be a good stepping stone."
Mason and Randall will drive for the SYMS team from Japan, which is based in Belgium. One of its two entrants, former Mitsubishi WRC works team driver Kristian Sohlberg, who lies third in the PWRC, was unable to fund his way to New Zealand.
Says Mason: "We heard about it and have managed to negotiate that spot in Rally New Zealand, so we will get his number and run as car number 38.
"The advantages are significant. For starters there's better road position, especially on the second and third days when we all get reseeded on times.
"Most importantly, all the cars in the PWRC come under the FIA microscope, so you know the cars are legal.
"Therefore any performance in this class against some of the world's best holds real credibility."
Mason says he will use his own yellow Subaru Impreza but opt for the FIA fuel.
He will also share technology with the SYMS team.
"We've just completed the deal, so now we can get on with getting ourselves organised.
"As you can imagine, Sara and I are very excited by this opportunity.
"We got second in the PWRC last year and we'd like to go one better this time.
"It will be great to fly the Kiwi flag at our own event against drivers from all over the world, especially this time as a fully fledged entry in the WRC."
