Cunningham aims for miles at Wairarapa

Cunningham aims for miles at Wairarapa

Clint Cunningham is aiming to rack up miles at the final round of the Brian Green Property Group New Zealand Rally Championship, the Trusthouse Racetech Rally Wairarapa, which runs out of Masterton this weekend.

A busy season will see Cunningham contesting his ninth rally of the season but a string of problems have seen him frustrated and out of contention to take out the NZRC rookie title.

Instead, the last minute decision to enter the NZRC series finale is all about gaining further experience as the West Aucklander aims to step up through the ranks at the top level of the sport in New Zealand.

As well as the chance to gain further experience, Cunningham is an outside chance of securing second place in the race for the rookie title. After two rounds, Cunningham led the title chase but a combination of mechanical issues, a puncture and an off road excursion put paid to any title chances.

Cunningham and co-driver Greg Ruka make their second visit to Rally Wairarapa, having contested the event last year, and repeating last year’s top ten finish will be a strong reward for a frustrating season in the RCK Contractors Mistubishi Evo 4.

“I’m really looking forward to getting on the Wairarapa stages and with any luck we’ll make it to the end,” says Cunningham. “Apart from the puncture at the Possum Bourne Memorial Rally we had a really good run and set some good times so hopefully we can repeat that here."

Rally Wairarapa leaves Masterton at 7am, taking in nine high speed special stages that cover 134km, mostly based around the country town of Eketahuna, before returning to the ceremonial finish at Solway Park in Masterton just after 5pm.

ENDS

© Scoop Media