Update!

I believe I failed to explain why the Rally of Whangarei was pivotal for me. I also believe that the whole pivotal thing sort of happened after the rally itself anyway.

The Pirelli Star Driver competition at Whangarei was a qualifying for financial assistance to get to the final for the Asia Pacific area in Malaysia in October. (The winner of that then gets a six round PWRC drive next season... somewhere in the vicinity of a PRICELESS step up for 5 young drivers from different parts of the world.)

The two drivers that won the assistance at Whangarei were Hayden Paddon and Brad Ayling. But, many NZ (and Australia)'s young drivers will go to Malaysia to compete anyway. Andre Meier dropped that bombshell on me, asking if they were to go and contest in Malaysia, would I like to go with them.

To cut a long story short, plans are now underway for the Meiersport team to go to Malaysia in October and my plans are coming along too.

With the drama of catching up with the team up in Whangarei, I have decided that it is both more convenient and worthwhile for me to strictly go as NZ media. Plus, you get free accommodation in the Rally HQ hotel at the event... And free is the cheapest you can get.

With this whole development, it has been said to me that going the APRC route (like the drivers trying to work their way up the ladder) would be better for me than just going to Europe for a one-off WRC event. The APRC provides more of a chance to get in on things like driver's quotes and most of the same media people cover all the events so it is easy to get to know everyone.

I have also started the expensive exercise of getting myself kitted out. Yesterday I brought a Nikon D80 DSLR and today I have got myself a digital Dictaphone. A good lens may end up costing more than the body... So I believe my savings will look even more unhealthy than it currently does now after the first two things. But hopefully once I've become accustomed to using the camera, it will help me out by returning the income.

That's it for now, but this weekend sees me in the co-driver's seat for the first time in a while at the Inframax Rally of Waitomo and Sunday sees the Repco Rally New Zealand promo day.

BRING ON THE RALLYING.