It's been more like a giant leap as opposed to a step up for Mt Maunganui rally driver David Holder in his opening stages of the 2014 VINZ International Rally of Whangarei this weekend.

With the first three stages of the day complete, Holder is firmly in second place, 25.2 seconds behind rally leader Richard Mason (Subaru) of Wairarapa. Phil Campbell, also of Tauranga currently holds 3rd position in his EVO 9.

Holder tearing round the track. Photo: Wayne Cockburn/Motorsport Photography.

Rally Whangarei marks the first time that Holder and co-driver Malcolm Peden have competed together, and Peden is happy with Holders progress.

"He's going well. We're struggling in the car a little bit with dust from cars in the front of us, and we probably didn't make the best tyre choice this morning, but overall we are going really well," says Malcolm.

"David doesn't want to look at times just yet so isn't fully aware of his position at the moment, he just wants to concentrate on his driving right now. We starting to gel really well together in the car. It's always different getting to know how different drivers operate, but we are going well right now."

"There's still a lot more grip on the road than I am using at the moment” says David.

'I'm trying focus on stay in the lines at the moment and keep learning about where the car goes."

Rotorua's Sloan Cox had a moment in his Evo 10 in Stage two this morning.

"I came too fast into a long left, over cooked it and didn't make the corner, off a bank and into a tree. They've repaired the car, put a new light into it and well get back out there this afternoon."

The rally continues this afternoon with a further three road stages and two Super Special stages at Pohe Island tonight.