Bond Sets Out to Defend Southern Series Title

Bond Sets Out to Defend Southern Series Title

Balclutha driver Dean Bond sets out to defend the Laird Motorsport Southern Rally Series title he won last year when he tackles the opening round of this years championship, the Rally Of Otago this weekend.

Bond debuted his Mitsubishi EVO 6.5 last season and took the car to the title. He says that during the summer break he has been "fiddling with the power and suspension getting the car more user friendly," an ominous sign for his rivals.

Bond is in two minds when it comes to his main emphasis this weekend. "It is hard to know whether to give it a real go and see how high up the field we can finish or whether to try and safely win the class. I guess we'll play it by ear."

The Laird Motorsport sponsored series is fought out by drivers and co-drivers who have a residential address in either Otago or Southland from the Waitaki River south. There is an overall title for both drivers and co-drivers plus class titles at stake over the three round series. The titles are highly regarded by southern competitors and are now in their sixth year after being instigated in 2005.

The classes cover 2-wheel-drive vehicles from 0-1300cc, 1301-1600cc and 1601cc & over plus a separate 4-wheel-drive class.

After the opening round at Otago competitors will tackle the Eastern Southland Car Club Rallysprint on Saturday 12 June with the final round the 2010 Catlins Coast Rally scheduled for Saturday 31 July.

ENDS

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