Pre Wairarapa Rally report from Ben Hunt

We have made it! The final event for the 2015 Brian Green Properties New Zealand Rally Championship is here. It has been a long 6 weeks since our last event the Gold Rush Rally of Coromandel. There has been a lot of late nights in the shed peeping the car, Check check and Re Check and huge thanks to everyone that has rallied together to help get us to the event on time. Our goals at the start of the year was to finish every event this season and this will definitely be our main focus at Day Breaker Rally of Wairarapa, smooth and fast down the centre of the road. Since the last event the Winger Subaru powered by Gull Force Pro has undergone a refresh of the mechanical components.

This year the Subaru has had great reliability and I have all confidence that its in top condition to do the job this coming weekend. The result we need this weekend is well within reach without having to push too hard. A finish inside the top 16 will be enough to take the top spot this year, My goal for the event will be a top 5 finish. I want to be able to drive to a good rhythm, so I have a good feeling in the car. When you have a good rhythm like that in the car good stage times always come as a result.

This weekend is the last time that the Wairarapa region will hold a national status event, next year it will move to the far North. It will be our last chance to enjoy some of the fantastic roads that are in our Championship, the region is well known for roads that flow even in the twisty sections and a good steady clean drive is always rewarded. Gravel and Dust have always been the two biggest factors that come into effect at this rally. The roads are always in very good condition and typically have a thick gravel layer on top in some places. Sweeping comes into effect and time can be lost being first on the road, the flip side to the coin is that if you go further down the order there can be hanging dust that also can effect stage times.

The day will be a good size event, we will be out on the stages for 8 hours, I’ve been working on my fitness and it has improved a lot and my back is feeling better now which can only help towards my driving and stamina behind the wheel. The entry list is a big one and at every event this year the field of competition has increased. It is awesome to see Chris West back on the entry list and running a new generation Mitsubishi car, I’ve always enjoyed battling against Westy. Richard Mason also returns for the first time this year and will bring his usual pace and determination and is looking to secure win number 9 in the region.

I’m really looking forward to the challenge this is why I compete to test myself against our countries best drivers and against the clock. But the number one thing is I get to enjoy the sport with my Team, Sponsors and friends and family. And look forward to seeing them all in a few days.

James Hunt my Middle brother has been a huge support to myself and my team, he has put untold hours in over the years but is currently in the USA and won’t be here for the last round we look forward to having him back next season.