Motorsport: Mason wins, Sumner takes rally title

Series leader Dean Sumner finished second on Saturday and third on Sunday to take the title. Photo / NZPA

Richard Mason has finished the national rally championship with victory on his home event, the Wairarapa Rally, yesterday.

Emma Gilmour's efforts to take the national title came up just short as she had a fourth and second over the two heats that make up the event.

Series leader Dean Sumner finished second on Saturday and third on Sunday to take the title.

Mason came from behind on Saturday with a blistering time on the fourth stage to take over the rally lead, which he kept to the end of heat one.

After finishing second in Nelson last month, Mason felt he was getting his season back on track.

"That showed us we were heading in the right direction. It was great to back that up this weekend.

"I love these roads north of Masterton, so it's neat to finish the season on a high."

Sunday's second heat started in a similar way. Former champion Chris West set the initial pace, but once gearbox trouble forced him out, Mason took over the front running.

Hamilton's Gilmour had the better of Sumner on Sunday's second heat, but a slow start on Saturday morning saw her slim chances of taking the title slip away.

Although Gilmour bettered Sumner by nine seconds on Sunday, it was not enough to make up the 26 seconds she conceded on the first heat.

For the weekend, Sumner finished second overall and Gilmour was third.

Results:

Rally of Wairarapa, round 5, National Rally Championship

Heat 1:
R and S Mason (Subaru) 76 min 13.4sec 1, D Sumner and P Fallon (Mitsubishi) 76:36.2 2, G Argyle and P Deakin (Mitsubishi) 76:44.8 3, E Gilmour and G Macneall (Subaru) 77:02.5 4, C West and C Cobham (Mitsubishi) 77:20.1 5,

P Malley and M Read (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo9) 77:27.4 6.

Heat 2:

Mason 59 min 03.9 sec 1, Gilmour/Macneall 59:15.4 2,

Sumner/Fallon 59:24.1 3, S and T Cox (Mitsubishi) 61:31.1 4, M Jansen and J Farmer (Subaru) 62:29.6 5, R Ross and D Galbraith (Escort RS1800) 62: 33.2 6.

National Rally Championship points: Sumner 322 1, Gilmour 291 2, Mason 226 3, West 199 4, H Paddon (Mitsubishi) 168 5.

- NZPA