Motorsport: Sumner closing in on first national title

Series leader Dean Sumner will look to keep his mistakes to a minimum as he strives to wrap up the national motor rally championship title this weekend.

He enters the final round of the series in the Wairarapa holding a 29-point lead over Emma Gilmour, after dominating the penultimate round at Nelson where he won nine of 12 stages last month.

The Rotorua driver, seeking his first national title, is determined to complete the deal on Sunday.

"I will do what I have to do to win the championship," the 31-year-old said.

"The Wairarapa roads are technical and it can be quite hard to get into a good rhythm. Basically we need to look after the car, minimise the risk and keep it on the road."

Gilmour, of Hamilton, has installed a new engine in her Subaru as she goes all out to catch Sumner.

"We've had to use the full three weeks between rallies to get the car ready, but it'll be maximum attack from stage one." she said.

Masterton driver Richard Mason can expect plenty of local support after finishing second at Nelson to lie fifth on the standings, a distant 112 points behind Sumner.

After struggling with his car's set-up for most of the season, Mason said it was now very close to where he wanted it.

"We haven't changed anything from Nelson. I think our car is in good condition to do a good job."

Organisers have been forced to cut one special stage from the event because of flooding around Ekatahuna.

"Stage 11 has been blocked off by flooding, but the council have informed us that there is nothing too worrying to jeopardise the use of the rest of the stages," clerk of the course Dave Davies said.