Multiple New Zealand Champion, Richard Mason, holds a commanding 35.5 second lead after the opening three stages of the 2012 DriveSouth Rally of Otago.

The Subaru driver is well clear of the Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X of Sloan
Cox, with local favourite, Emma Gilmour, a further 4.3 seconds further
back in third place.

Richard Mason is well clear after the three Day 1 stages.Another former national champion, Chris West, holds down fourth place in
his Lancer Evo 9, but young gun Alex Kelsey struggled on the opening
night.

Kelsey won the opening round of the NZRC, but on this the third event,
he finds himself over a minute from the lead, having never driven
competitively at night before.

Crews faced perfect conditions on the opening night, after overnight
rain settled the dust and made conditions equal for everyone.

Mason showed his hand early with a blitzing drive, and even though there
are still 14 stages remaining over two days, he'll be hard to catch.



Check out more photos from Day 1 HERE.

For full Rally of Otago results, click here.

Story and photos: Peter Whitten