Thomson takes another maximum points haul

Thomson headed to the event for the first time as it returned to the national championship for the first time since 1984. While excited to compete on a new event, Thomson knew he would be at a disadvantage against some of his two-wheel drive rivals with more powerful cars.

Also adding to the challenge of the event for Thomson and co-driver Amy Hudson were icy conditions early in the morning with the temperature as low as five degrees below zero. A cautious run through the opening stages meant the pair would only win one of the opening three stages, but still held a 13 second lead heading to the first service of the day.

As the day warmed up, so did Thomson and after the next loop of three stages, the 23-year old was able to extend that lead to almost two minutes. By the end of the rally, that gap was getting close to three minutes, but Thomson was quick to admit it was not a vintage performance.

“It was awesome to go to a new event and the afternoon was really good, the roads weren’t quite as fast and the ice had disappeared, which gave me a lot more confidence to push on,” says Thomson. “While we got the result we were looking for, I certainly feel we could have gone a lot quicker, but that gives us something to work on for next year in the new car.”

The Dylan Thomson Rallysport team now take the opportunity to work on the car before the next round of the NZRC, Goldrush Rally of Coromandel, on August 18.

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