Holder has score to settle

Mount Maunganui rally driver David Holder is eying the International Rally of Whangarei as a chance to redeem himself and remain fully on track in what doubles as a milestone event for the young driver.


Head mechanic Mike Pittams and David Holder getting their car ready in advance of this weekend's opening NZRC Event in Whangarei.

Debuting his ex-Hayden Paddon Stadium Cars supported Mitsubishi Lancer EVO 8, Holder is out to settle a score at the event, having crashed there twice in the last 2 years. The International Rally of Whangarei is the New Zealand Rally Championship season opening event.

'I absolutely love the Whangarei event and yes I've got a score to settle, but finishing the event is a priority for me,” says Holder.

'I've spent the last few months getting sponsors in place, and getting the car prepared for the rally.”

Gone is last year's Ford Fiesta, something Holder views as a big change forcing him to intricately learning the car and to get the best out of it first and foremost.

'I'm really looking forward to the first stage, on the first day of the first event of the year. Everyone will be a bit rusty, including me, but it will definitely be nice to get things underway”

Sitting alongside Holder in the co-driver seat will be highly experienced co-driver Malcolm Peden – occupying the co-driver seat for both the Whangarei and Otago events.

'With the step up into the EVO 8 its great having someone like Malcolm sitting alongside me doing the pace notes,” says Holder.

'Malcolm's got a lot of experience and he will be a huge confidence boost for me having him sitting alongside me while I'm getting my head around the new car”.

Along with the experience of Peden, Holder is being personally mentored by former PWRC World Champion, and current WRC Driver Hayden Paddon.

'Having Hayden mentoring me is the equivalent of a young Finnish driver working with someone like Jari-Matti Latvala [current World No.3 World Rally Championship driver]. It's absolutely huge.”

'Hayden has been where I am so knows what I am going through. We are in regular contact and he is helping me out in absolutely every way he can with the exception of finances.”

Holder also had the 'full on” opportunity to attend the NZ Elite Motorsport Academy last year, with his second placing and funding allowing him to work with a nutritionist and sports psychologist.

'I found out a few years ago I have Coeliac, so getting the proper nutrition has been really important, and the nutritionist has been fantastic in making sure I'm eating properly before and during the events. It's really important to be fit while we are in the car, so I will putting a lot of focus into that area between Whangarei and Otago as well”

'I'm really looking forward to getting stuck into the season, and maybe having a crack at the championship, but the priority for me this year is to learn the car and get confident with it.'

The New Zealand Rally Championship is run over six events between April and September. Sunlive and Wayne Cockburn of Motorsport Photography will report on David Holders progress over the season.

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