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Barker makes Rising Stars debut at Otago

Hamilton’s Stephen Barker makes his debut drive as Rally New Zealand’s Rising Stars scholarship winner at the Otago Rally, running 10 to 11 April.

The 21-year-old won a fierce shoot-out at the end of 2009 – testing his mental, physical, media and driving abilities before being declared the winner of the Rising Stars Scholarship.  His prize package includes the use of a professionally prepared Ford Fiesta for the 2010 Vantage New Zealand Rally Championship (NZRC).

“The Rally New Zealand Rising Stars scholarship is a huge opportunity for me and I am stoked to be picked to represent Rally New Zealand through the Rising Stars programme,” says Barker, “You really can’t go wrong with the package they provide both with the car for the year and the mentoring side of it.”

Last year Barker stunned many with his performances in the open four-wheel-drive class during the five-round competition.  However memories of Otago in 2009 are painful - retiring in the second special stage with mechanical problems.

This year he’s determined to change that, aiming for a strong points scoring finish, “I’m just going to drive at my own pace on the opening day and see where it leaves us, but the main aim is to come away from the opening round with no damage and points on the board.”

Barker has only once had a chance to drive the Kayne Barrie Motorsport prepared Ford Fiesta in anger, completing around 50 kilometres of testing in Maramarua Forest.
“The test was good, we made a few small changes to the brake bias and seating position and I feel that we have a good car heading into Otago.”

Rally New Zealand chairman Chris Carr praised Barker’s ability and will be on-hand during the Otago weekend to support the young driver.

“He’s a very talented young driver with a very bright future ahead of him,” said Carr.
 “I am sure that he will show why the judges picked him as the Rising Stars scholarship winner for 2010.”

Based in Dunedin, the Otago Rally covers 266 kilometres of competition over the two days, starting with a rally show on Friday 9 April at the railway station.  Heading as far north as Oamaru on the Saturday and Berwick Forest in the south on the Sunday, the field returns to Dunedin’s Octagon Sunday afternoon for a ceremonial finish at 2:50pm.