It proved to be a decisive round of the Vantage Aluminum Joinery 2010 NZ Rally Championship (NZRC) so far. What has emerged from the International Rally of Whangarei is a two horse race with two rounds of the championship to complete. It is now a case of best under pressure, not necessarily who is the fastest.
Before the weekend the top ten drivers in the NZRC were within ninety points of each other. They had three rounds ahead of them with a maximum of 72 points on offer for each rally.
From the ten there have emerged two title contenders (barring any major catastrophe). Dean Sumner has maintained his lead and will now contest the title with Emma Gilmour with only two points separating them. While others can mathematically be regarded in contention, the reality of this happening is slim.
Currently third in the NZRC and twenty-two points behind Sumner, Hayden Paddon could be regarded as a potential winner but he has a clash with the next round in Nelson as he will be required in Germany for his Pirelli Star Driver commitment.
The advantage must be in Sumner’s camp while Gilmour could be regarded as the underdog. Sumner has a history of winning, having won three rounds of the NZRC – Nelson in 2006, Hawkes Bay in 2007 and this year in Otago.
Gilmour came away from the weekend’s round having taken seventeen points from Sumner’s championship lead, finishing second to Hayden Paddon. Gilmour has yet to win a rally so has not tasted success. For her she still has to surpass two mental barriers – winning and winning a championship under pressure. If she can achieve this in 2010 it will be hugely beneficial for her motorsport career.
While winning one or both of the remaining rounds absolutely helps because it insures that you will finish in front of your rival, it is not necessary for Gilmour to win the overall championship. Currently she is on a roll which started back in 2009. That year she had eight podium finishes. This consistency has flowed into 2010 with a fourth placing at Rally Otago, Rally NZ and second in Whangarei over the weekend.
This consistency is her strength.
There are two strategies that she can adopt for the remaining two rounds. First she can carry on her consistent form or she can push harder to emerge as a round winner guaranteeing overall victory.
The first strategy is fine, a bit like Carter kicking for touch, it is the conservative approach. While finishing and collecting points, it relies on either Sumner finishing behind Gilmour or losing the championship because he has pushed too hard and come off the road.
The second strategy is more difficult because it takes her into a different mental zone. One which requires the absorbing of pressure while turning everything up a notch in order to win. While it can be regarded as an offensive move, it requires more risk from the driver unless they are in the right frame of mind, a winner’s focus.
Sumner has the experience of victory on his side and has the ability to push until the end as demonstrated in the weekend, just pipping Patrick Malley for third. He has the winning experience.
If both drivers carry on their current strategies it will be a championship for Sumner to win or lose. With four days of rallying left, Gilmour could well play the consistency card to see what Sumner’s strategy will be. However if Sumner continues his consistent form she will have to throw caution to the win and go for victory.
Right now it is difficult to pick the winner. What we do know is that they will be a worthy victor from an exciting season of competition. Whoever comes second will be a worthy and respected competitor.
See also
- Pivotal round for rally champs
