Standing at 6 foot 6 inches there is not much that towers above Mt Maunganui based rally driver David Holder, but the challenge of stepping up to the 4WD class of the National Championship at this weekend’s VINZ International Rally of Whangarei will be a tall task for the young driver.
It’s an undertaking that sees him competing against a field full of past national champions, in what will be Holders debut rally in the newly rebuilt Stadium Cars Mitsubishi Evo 8. The rally is the opening round of the ‘Brian Green Property Group New Zealand Rally Championship – driven by VINZ’, and while Holder has competed at Whangarei previously, this will be the first at the top tier in a 4wd turbo charged car.
“I’m really looking forward to getting out on those stages and giving the Stadium Cars Evo a good thrashing,” says Holder. “Its got stackloads more power than the cars I’ve driven, so should be a bit of fun! But at the same time will take a few kms to get a handle on, so I’m a little nervous and we aren’t expecting to challenge the old hands just yet.”
“A lot of work has gone into getting the car and team ready for this year and but once again I have to say that Hayden Paddons (Hyundai WRC Driver) advice, support and the time he puts in as my mentor, has been a pivotal in getting us to this point” Holder says.
The team would also like to acknowledge the support they receive from principal sponsors Stadium Cars along with VINZ, Gull Fuel and Magnum Compliance to name a few of their family of valued sponsors.
“We wouldn’t be making it to the start line without the continued support of Stadium (Cars) they have backed me from the beginning and it’s great to have their support again this year,” says Holder.
“It’s fair to say that we have a lot of good people putting in hours helping out, Mike from Force Automotive has been putting in the hard yards prepping the Mitsubishi, Speedy Signs have wrapped the car, Sew Hot have provided the team clothing… and the list goes on.”
“We are extremely grateful for everyone who is helping us out” says Holder.
SUBSCRIBE BELOW TO READ THE FULL STORY
