SUMNER OPENS TITLE DEFENCE WITH STRONG DRIVE TO SECOND PLACE

Reigning New Zealand Rally Champion Dean Sumner has started the 2011 rally season with a strong performance to take second overall, the next fastest competitor to world championship kiwi driver Hayden Paddon.

Leg 1 of the Otago Rally opened with three night-time stages on Friday, the first time since 2003 that the national championship has seen dark stages, which proved to be a challenge for most competitors. Sumner took a fast but cautious approach to the night tests to slot into third place for the overnight halt, behind Hayden Paddon and local driver Emma Gilmour.

“We were really well prepared for the night stages, but we also wanted to get through in one piece so we didn’t take any risks.” said Sumner.

As New Zealand Champion, Sumner was first seed for Leg 1. Running first on the road and acting as road sweeper has a disadvantage, however Sumner didn’t let the challenge get in the way and steadily put in top three stage times to stay within striking distance of Gilmour who was also shining on her home roads. With a 3-second deficit to Gilmour heading into the final gravel stage, a 47km test through Otago forestry, Sumner pulled out all stops and came home 13 seconds quicker, giving him a 10 second advantage and 2nd for the day.

“It’s all about the championship points, and we get awarded the points for each Leg,” said Sumner. “So to get 2nd for the day was really important, as we knew we couldn’t catch Hayden.”

A big change for Sumner this season has been his decision to switch to Hankook tyres, the first time a New Zealand competitor has run them at this level of the sport.

“I guess it was a big call, and to put them to the test by running first on the road and sweeping all-day on Saturday, and still managing to put in top-three stage times, has not only given us the confidence we needed in running on Hankooks, but has also captured the interest of the other competitors.” Says Sumner

With Leg 2 treated as a new day for points, and running second on the road behind Paddon due to the overnight re-seed, Sumner then focused on setting fast stage times and testing the new tyres in different conditions. Fellow past champions Chris West and Richard Mason had the same idea as the battle to keep up with Paddon. With just one stage to go and less than two seconds separating the three, Sumner put the Hankooks to the test, winning the stage by 12.3 seconds over West and 21.1 seconds over Paddon, enough to claim 2nd for the day and 2nd overall for the rally.

Final Classification Round 1 – Otago

1. Hayden Paddon / John Kennard
2. Dean Sumner / Paul Fallon
3. Chris West / Erin Kyle
4. Richard Mason / Sara Mason
5. Glenn Inkster / Glenn Goldring
6. Ben Jagger / Ben Hawkins
7. Emma Gilmour / Glenn Macneall
8. Dave Strong / Bruce McKenzie
9. Matt Van Tuinen / Nathan Long
10. Ben Hunt / Tony Rawstorn