Recently crowned FIA European Rally Champions Hayden Paddon and co-driver John Kennard will start as the first car for the 22-23 September Daybreaker Rally.
The pair will lead a field of 100 cars, contesting 150km of the Manawatu and Rangitikei district roads. Starting and finishing from Feilding, the capacity event has drawn teams to tackle roads used throughout its 40-year history – made famous by the likes of Neil Allport, Joe McAndrew and Possum Bourne.
Using a left-hand-drive Hyundai i20N Rally 2 car, it will be Paddon’s first visit to the region’s roads.
“I’ve never done the Daybreaker before, and now we’ve ticked off our objective of the European Championship, we can focus on our New Zealand championship,” said Paddon, who, along with Kennard, has one hand on the New Zealand Rally Championship (NZRC) trophy – a title they have won six times prior.
“For us, it’s all about getting the result – so we will be pushing right from the start and making sure we’re in the best position to get maximum points.
“Being the first car on the road adds to the challenge – especially over roads we’ve never driven before, but that’s the sort of thing that motivates us to do what we love doing.”
Along with 40 teams competing for NZRC placings, the rally has drawn the largest field the event has seen in more than 20 years. A previous regular on the championship calendar, its return follows the cancellation of two other rounds due to flood-damaged roading.
Planned and brought to life by former competitors Tony McConachy and Paul Fallon, the pair have been strongly supported by the local community in their quest to organise a competitive yet friendly format.
All 100 cars will be packed into Feilding’s Manchester Square Friday evening, 22 September. A driver signing session will precede the 6 pm ceremonial start. The action starts 5:30 am Saturday morning, with the cars heading north for the first of nine competitive stages. The journey includes two service stops in Taihape with a third stop in the rural township of Kimbolton. The final stage will be held at the Manfeild Circuit Chris Amon, with the first car starting the 10.77km course from 3:20 pm.
Header Image: Hayden Paddon and John Kennard are confirmed as top seed entry for the Daybreaker Rally, being held in the Manawatu 22-23 September. Photo: Geoff Ridder.
Words and Images: Supplied
Was stage Co Ordinater in Raglan from 1994 last one i did was 2010 was president of Rugby club at that time , an thats were most of the Stage marshells came from with the Help of the Local Farmers who gave there paddocks for parking .& Schools doing Food Stalls Most popular was Ruapuke, Whaanga Coast Titirumu, corner, .Haddon Patton
Im 76 now an only watch it via UTube TV , watched the 2022 one doing the Raglan stage at a Alzimers Day i have with other like me on Fridays, to try on remember things of the past that we forgot an relive them ,