Former New Zealand Rally champion Richard Mason and his co-driver, wife Sara, are looking to this weekend's Rally of Canterbury to at least maintain their comfortable points lead in the national championship.

New Zealand's first rally world champions Hayden Paddon and John Kennard have now become the first Kiwis to be signed up for a season-long factory World Rally Championship drive.

Say what you like about Kim Dotcom, there's no doubt that when it comes to cars, he's one of us.