Mosgiel’s Nigel Lawson has made a successful switch from codriver to driver, finishing last Saturday’s Catlins Coast Rally as the first Otago Sports Car Club member home, earning himself the Glen Shirlaw Memorial Trophy.
After nearly two decades calling the pace notes on the other side of the car, Lawson purchased a 1992 Mitsubishi Lancer GSR a year ago and began competing in local events.
Last weekend was his first crack at driving in the notoriously demanding Catlins Rally and he believed his navigating experience came into play over the slippery eight-stage event.
‘‘It definitely does help to read the roads,’’he said.
Making his co-driving debut, Dunedin’s Will Bathgate won the Novice Co-Drivers Challenge prize, guiding Lawson through the ‘‘blind’’ rally, where full pace notes are not used, giving ‘‘everyone an even chance,’’ Lawson said.
After starting out seeded 38th, he and Bathgate finished 16th overall and 4th in Class E for Pre 96 four-wheel-drive cars.
- by Catherine Pattison
Photo: Supplied
