Sheehan looks to defend lead at Canterbury

Queenstown’s Mike Sheehan will be looking to bank more points to defend his lead at the third round of the Brian Green Property Group New Zealand Rally Championship this weekend, the Lone Star Rally Canterbury.

 

Sheehan has recorded a first and a second placed finish in the FIA two-wheel drive class at the two rounds so far, held in Otago and Whangarei, which has left him with a 30-point lead. With the two two-day rallies done and dusted and four one day rallies left with less bonus points available, Sheehan knows a series of second placed finishes across the remainder of the season will deliver him the title.

 

While his focus is on scoring points, Sheehan and co-driver Glenn Goldring continue to chase more outright speed, which included a driver training session earlier this week with former national champion and Junior World Rally Championship competitor David Holder. This included day and night driving, with the Canterbury event also featuring two forest stages held under the cover of darkness.

 

While Sheehan contested the event last year, this year sees the addition of public road stages through the middle of the day as opposed to last year’s forestry only event.

 

“We’re pretty pumped and ready to go for this weekend, it was really good to have some training with Dave and I learnt a lot about both my driving and the car,” says Sheehan. “It will be great to get out on the public roads, I’ve heard some really good things, but we also know our way through the forest.”

 

The Lone Star Rally Canterbury gets underway with a ceremonial start outside the Lone Star in Manchester Street, Christchurch, from 5pm on Saturday. The following day, teams will tackle 162 kilometres of special stages, travelling as far north as Cheviot, before returning to the ceremonial finish at Lone Star from 7:14pm.

Press Release by BB Media

Photo: Geoff Ridder