Amidst the elite rally drivers from Australasia set to conquer the Manawatū and Rangitīkei roads on 13-14 September are three determined entrants from Vanuatu.
Returning competitor Julien Lenglet, alongside co-driver Ben Huband, is joined by Pierre-Henri Brunet (co-driver Mal Peden) and Nelson Law (co-driver Antonio Korikalo). Together, they bring their island spirit to face the 2024 challenge of the Daybreaker Rally, powered by Brian Green Properties.
Vanuatu, an archipelago in the South Pacific renowned for its stunning beaches, vibrant culture, and rugged landscapes, is seeing a growing interest in motorsport.
The drivers from this tropical paradise are accustomed to sandy and often unforgiving roads, making the flowing yet technical nature of the Daybreaker Rally stages, along with the early spring weather, a stark contrast to their usual conditions.
Lenglet, who finished 19th overall in the 2023 event, returns with his NZ-prepared Subaru Impreza.
Pierre-Henri Brunet, born and raised in Vanuatu, proudly flies the French flag. Influenced by his father’s passion for rally car preparation and driving, Brunet made his Daybreaker Rally debut in 2023 but was forced to retire on the second special stage.
Nelson Law, who finished 39th at the 2023 Daybreaker Rally, has steadily made his mark on New Zealand’s rally scene.
His 14th overall finish at June’s Southern Lights Rally has set high expectations for his return, where he will drive the Force Motorsport Mazda 2 AP4.
Top of the entry list is defending European and New Zealand Rally Champion Hayden Paddon. Joined by young co-driver Jared Hudson, sister Amy will be in the following car, navigating for Australia’s Brendan Reeves. Paddon will drive his Rally 2 specification Hyundai i20, while Reeves will take on the previous event-winning AP4 specification i20.
The field is a mix of those contesting the fourth round of the Brian Green Property Group New Zealand Rally Championship and hometown heroes, including former champion and past rally winner Geof Argyle of Bunnythorpe.
Sixty teams are currently entered, with late entries still arriving.
“We were realistic that there wouldn’t be as many entries as 2023 when we first resurrected the event,” said co-organiser Paul Fallon.
“Of course, it would be great to have more, but we have to respect the financial commitment required to compete at this level. On the flip side, it has brought forward a lot more on-event support and passion from others who aren’t competing but still want to be part of the scene.
“Normally, I’d be looking after Nelson, Pierre-Henri and Jack Hawkeswood in my role as team manager for Force Motorsport,” said fellow organiser Tony McConachy of the Andrew Hawkeswood-run team.
“It is a special event – being the first rally I was ever involved with. So to have all three Vanuatu boys return is a great testimony to what they think of the experience we deliver.”
Unique to this event is the start and finish location at Palmerston North. It begins with a meet-the-crews and car show at 4:00 pm at The Square. The cars will then convoy to the Arena at 5:30 pm for a two-car head-to-head Harcourts AFC Super Special Stage beginning at 6:00 pm.
On Saturday, the cars will depart the venue at 4:00 am to journey to Turakina Valley for the first of nine gravel road tests. Travelling north to Taihape, they will return late morning to Feilding for a regroup and driver signing session outside the Repco store on Kimbolton Road from 10:30 am, followed by a service stop at Manfeild.
The journey heads north and across to Apiti, returning down Ridge Road and back to Palmerston North for a second running of the Super Special Stage from 4:24 pm. The best viewing will be from the Central Energy Trust Arena grandstand.
The cars will park on the infield for the event prizegiving and ceremonial finish at 5:00 pm.
