Holder puts it all on the line for 2015 season

Holder puts it all on the line for 2015 season

Mount Maunganui rally driver David Holder has placed down all his cards for the 2015 rally season and beyond by going professional in his quest to be a World Rally Champion. As a result, he will start his first event as a professional driver, Rally Whangarei this weekend.

Holder’s decision came when he established that he was unable to commit fully to a full-time job and to progressing a rallying career, and now spends his working week chasing necessary funding to compete while also preparing the car.

The 26-year old heads to Whangarei, his favourite event on the New Zealand rallying calendar, looking for a strong start to his Brian Green Property Group New Zealand Rally Championship campaign, of which Whangarei is the opening round.

Last season, Holder headed to the northern-most round of the NZRC having never driven a four-wheel drive car before and shocked the rallying community by powering the Stadium Cars Mitsubishi Evo 8 to the lead on the opening leg before fuel issues and an eventual off-road excursion spelt the end of his event.

“We are targeting a podium finish at Whangarei which is a realistic goal, but by the same token this year we are up against a seriously competitive field,” says Holder.

This year at Whangarei, Holder will be joined for the opening round by highly experienced co-driver Rob Scott before regular co-driver Jason Farmer, who is overseas for the event, joins the team for the remainder of the season. Scott’s experience on international events will shine through, with the pair writing their own pace notes due to the two-pass reconnaissance available on the event.

“Writing our own pace notes could dramatically affect our speed on the event, hopefully we get them right and that affect will be a positive one. But having Rob there will be a huge asset, it’s a real shame Jason can’t be there but Rob is certainly a highly capable replacement.”

For the first time this season, Holder has had the benefit of a pre-season test session with Holder’s mentor Hayden Paddon guiding him through the test to further learn the Stadium Cars Evo.

While Holder’s hunt for funding continues to ensure he can complete his 2015 NZRC campaign, he is excited to already confirm the continued support from long term sponsors Stadium Cars, Force Automotive, VINZ, Endless Brakes and Reaction Racing.

Holder is also excited to announce the support of Provident Insurance and Bell Booth Limited to the family of sponsors that make the 2015 NZRC campaign possible.

Rally Whangarei gets underway with two super special stages on Friday April 17. The serious action begins the following day with eight high-speed special stages north of the host town, while Sundaysees a further six special stages before the finish at the Whangarei town basin.

ENDS

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