Nelson Sure Footed At Wairarapa

It was a good solid start for Whangarei driver Kirsty Nelson at the Rally of Wairarapa last weekend although from the opening stages on Saturday the anti-lag system was not functioning on the Subaru WRX.

Nelson felt the difference in performance was not all that much of a concern to her and she just kept driving as well as could be expected. The crew repaired the problem in time for Sunday where she had a very good run ending the two day rally with a satisfying result for the season opener.

With no major dramas to report from the weekend, the ever consistent 18 year old Nelson completed the first round of the Vantage Aluminium New Zealand Rally Championship in 12th overall.

"We had a good rally and the weather was also good. That made it just so much easier than last year where it rained all the time and it was just wet and yuk!" she said.

Nelson was more familiar with the roads at the Rally of Wairarapa now that she is in her second season.

"They were the same as last year which was great. They are similar to ours in Northland but with big drops on the side of some of them. I think that if you went off the side of one of them you would die." reflects Nelson.

Asked of her co-driver Michelle Brunt's feelings towards driving so fast through such treacherous roads Kirsty Nelson believes she merely takes it all in her stride.

"Well, she just knows the best thing to do is to keep her head in the book (pace notes)." she laughs.

Next up for Kirsty Nelson is Round Two the Rally of Otago on the 10-11th of May which is being held later than last year when it was the opening round of the championship.

"Last year at Otago it snowed so having it even later this year it may be even worse." she says.