Tough, but positive, day for Brendan at Rally Whangarei

It's been a trying but positive day for Brendan and Rhianon at Rally Whangarei in wet and slippery conditions. The pair started the day cautiously as Brendan became familiar with the Mitsibushi Evo IX he has leased for the rally and on stage 3, a rock caught in the caliper cut the wheel rim in half and punctured the tyre, resulting in some time lost.

By the end of the lunch break Brendan had found the right set-up for the Mitsubishi to suit his driving style and he was very happy with his stage times on the last two stages of the day.

Today was the first time Brendan has driven the day's stages in a 4WD car and as his confidence in the car increased, his stage times quickly improved.

Brendan and Rhianon currently sit in ninth outright but with only seconds separating them from the few drivers ahead of the them, they are hoping to claw their way further up the overall placings tomorrow. Tomorrow's stages are more familiar to the pair as many of them have been used in the previous two events.

"We've had a pretty good day overall," Brendan said. "We'll start off tomorrow as if it's a new rally and see if we can make up a few more places."

"I was much happier with my stage times this afternoon after getting the Evo's set up more suited to my driving style and our times really reflected that. Tomorrow we'll have a real crack and see how we go."

Day 2 of Rally Whangarei consists of another eight stages, with the first car due to finish around 2.15pm (4.15pm AEST).

Please check back soon for photos from today's action.