Mount Maunganui's David Holder heads south for the third round of the Brian Green Property Group New Zealand Rally Championship, the Joe's Garage/Lonestar Rally Canterbury, looking to continue the run that currently sits him atop the NZRC standings.

Holder and co-driver Jason Farmer started the season off with a third place at Rally Otago before taking their maiden NZRC round win at Rally Whangarei.

David Holder competing in Otago this year. Photo: Jason Byrne/www.alittlebitsideways.co.nz.

The speed and consistency means Holder holds a 13 point lead over mentor Hayden Paddon, although with Paddon on WRC duty for the remainder of the season, Holder effectively holds a 28 point lead.

Heading to the third round, Holder is aware that a strong points finish is more important than outright victory, particularly on the challenging conditions that forestry rallying can throw up. He will approach the event the same as any other without taking unnecessary risks.

New for Holder will be the choice of his position amongst the top five cars on the road with first pick at the road order draw, an honour only given to the championship leader.

'It's pretty exciting to get the opportunity to pick our road position first, we'll certainly be having a good look on recce,” says Holder.

'We've got a great platform to launch from here in terms of the championship lead, but rallying can be a cruel sport, so it's really important that Jase and I take a good haul of points rather than risking it all for another win. Having said that, now that I've got a taste for the top step of the podium, it could prove hard to resist.”

After a campaign that looked like it may be over before it began, Holder is extremely grateful to everyone that has made his campaign to date possible. With this rally being the home event for the team's major sponsor Stadium Finance, Holder expects to see a special guest out and about around the event as well.

'It will be great to have my number one fan Jack the Bear from Stadium Finance out and about supporting us and the rest of the Stadium Motorsport team. You never know where he might turn up!”

The Joe's Garage/Lonestar Rally Canterbury Rally Canterbury run on Sunday 5 July. After leaving the start at Rangiora at 7.40am, teams will cover nine special stages in the Ashley and Okuku Forests totalling 171km, before returning to the finish in Manchester St, Christchuch from 5.30pm.