Mosgiel's Steven Thompson (23) has been cutting his rallying teeth for the past five years, yet this weekend's Catlins Coast Rally remains an enigma for him.
He entered back in 2011, a year after he left a decade of go-karting behind and bought his first rally car, but the Catlins event was ''not kind to us'', Thompson said. The engine of his Toyota Starlet blew up in the first stage.
Conveniently, Thompson is a mechanic and by day he is employed by Gordon Road Vehicle Services in Mosgiel, while his evenings and weekends see him plying his trade on his own rally car.
''Literally everything on the car I've done myself,'' Thompson said.
He bought a 1980 Datsun Sunny Coupe about two and a-half years ago and unfortunately had to perform some major repair work shortly after taking ownership of it. In 2013 he had ''quite a big accident'' at the Rally of Otago after the Datsun's front suspension broke.
''We just flew off the road,'' Thompson said.
The Datsun rolled about four times and although Thompson was knocked unconscious, he and long-term co-driver Jack Brownlie were otherwise unhurt.
The car was not similarly unscathed and had ''extremely extensive'' damage.
The one positive was that any post-crash nerves were well and truly put to rest after the lengthy rebuild period, which left Thompson and Brownlie eager to get back rallying again.
Thompson put the crash down to just being part of the sport he loves.
''It's such a neat sport. It's addictive,' he said.
For the car's reincarnation, Thompson put in its current 1298cc Datsun engine, which maximises the power output allowed for his 1300cc and under class. It runs a Ford gearbox and diff, with Bilstein and Koni suspension.
Preparing the car is, however, only part of the package for Thompson.
He is fortunate to have had his ''best mate'' Brownlie calling the pace notes for him from early on in their motorsport forays.
Then there is the family involvement.
Thompson's elder sister Rachel, also a successful former karter, has started rallying with husband Richie Chadwick.
He used to crew for Thompson then got bitten by the bug himself and bought a Toyota Corolla GT. The Chadwicks are entered in their second Catlins Rally after competing in their debut year in 2014.
For Thompson, his parents are the vital component to his rally equation.
All developments to the car are run by his dad, Ken, whose knowledge and experience are ''invaluable''.
His mum, Bernadette, is always on hand at events, making sure the drivers and crews are fed and watered.
''I wouldn't be able to do it without their support.''
He is looking forward to having some reliability with his car for the rally and enjoying some class battles with the similarly powered Toyota Starlets of Lyttelton's Chris McLean and Cromwell's Scott Levings.
