Pre Whangarei - April 2017

The Drive South Otago Rally was a great high for the team, it has been a long 12 months to get to the completion of an event at national level. We got in plenty of km in the car over the course of the weekend.

© GEOFF RIDDER

3 top 5 stage times in a row was a very satisfying end to the event its great to feel the speed the Nr4 Subaru has and with ever passing km and service we were able to dial more pace out of the car its a great feeling for the season ahead. We are currently sitting in 6th position in the championship and have some good points in the bag we now are shifting our focus into a good car preparation for Whangaeri and another small test day to continue to perfect our setup in the Subaru.The team has been working hard on getting the car ready in the three-week turn-around and has bought in some outside assistance to fine-tune the computer set-up to maximize the Subaru’s performance. 

© GEOFF RIDDER

“We went testing on Sunday and I think we are making head-way - I’m hoping that the changes will translate into speed in the actual event,” Hunt says. 
Towards the end of the Otago Rally, Hunt and co-driver Tony Rawstorn were beginning to demonstrate some of the pace that saw them win the 2015 New Zealand Rally Championship
(NZRC). They achieved three, top-five stage times, in the final three tests. 
The second round of the Brian Green Property Group NZRC, Whangarei is also a two-day rally and doubles as the opening round of the FIA Asia Pacific Rally Championship. 
The competition takes place across 16 closed road stages spread around the Northland region on the Saturday and Sunday. 
 

© GEOFF RIDDER

Rally fans will get their first look at the cars and drivers at Friday’s autograph signing session from 5pm at Whangarei’s Pohe Island. This is followed by the 6pm cultural welcome and ceremonial start with the first test – the 1km long Hella Pohe Island Super Special Stage - to start at 7pm and run twice. Tickets start at $20, with free entry for children under 15-years-old. 
Hunt Motorsport fans can pick up a copy of the rally map and spectating day passes for the rural stages ($10) from rally headquarters (ground floor, Toll Stadium, 51 Okara Drive, Whangarei) or download one from www.rallywhangarei.co.nz, and head out to the stages to see the Subaru in action at the spectator points. After the final test of
270-competitive-kilometre event, the cars return for the 3pmceremonial finish at the Quayside Town Basin, adjacent to the inner harbour and city centre.