Daybreaker Rally Delivers Thrills Galore for Motorsports Fans

The 2024 Daybreaker Rally gave New Zealand rally fans a race to remember as top drivers from around the world tackled the harsh terrain of the Manawatu and Rangitikei Districts.
Despite dealing with challenging roads and unpredictable weather, New Zealand star Hayden Paddon claimed the Daybreaker title to cement his status as one of the best in the business.

Haddon Delivers a Daybreaker Masterclass

Racing in their Hyundai New Zealand Rally2 car, Paddon and co-driver Jared Hudson took control of the race from the outset.

By the end of the rally, Paddon had finished a commanding six minutes and 27.4 seconds ahead of his closest rival, Ben Hunt.

The conditions were harsh, but Paddon delivered a masterclass. His world-class experience proved decisive as he expertly handled the technical challenges the course threw at him.
Hunt’s second-placed finish was also a major talking point as it catapulted him to the top of the Brian Green Property Group New Zealand Rally Championship (NZRC).
Racing in a Skoda Fabia Rally2, Hunt maintained a steady pace throughout the rally and managed to stay out of trouble as mechanical issues sidelined several competitors.
His second-place finish at the rally gave him an 18-point lead over Paddon heading into the fifth round of the championship.

Hunt may not have matched the raw pace that proved to be a key part of Paddon’s performance, but it was clear that he was more focused on playing the long game.
With only two rounds left in the championship, the competition has become a two-way battle between him and Paddon. Hunt will be more than willing to sacrifice pace for stability if it means preserving his lead.
One of the major highlights of the Daybreaker Rally was the emergence of talented New Zealand driver Zeal Jones, who claimed his first NZRC 4WD podium with an impressive third-place finish.

The 19-year-old drove a Skoda Fabia R5, which was co-piloted by his aunt Waverley Jones, but showed maturity far beyond his years with the way he handled the tricky conditions.
His composed drive saw him finish just behind Hunt in third, securing a well-deserved podium spot.
Jones is the youngest driver ever to become the NZRC Rally Challenge champion and currently sits fourth in the overall NZRC standings.

His third-place finish in the Daybreaker Rally also cemented his position as the second youngest-ever driver to claim a podium finish in a national championship.
Producing a composed drive, especially in those conditions, is a rare feat that even the most seasoned drivers often struggle with.
However, Jones navigated the terrain with poise and masterful technique, and his performance has undoubtedly raised his stock in the rally community.

Australia’s Brendan Reeves Narrowly Misses Podium Spot

Australian driver Brendan Reeves narrowly missed out on a podium spot by finishing fourth at the Daybreaker Rally, but his performance still made a strong impression.
Ably assisted by co-driver Amy Hudson, Reeves maintained a steady pace throughout the rally. He handled the adverse conditions with aplomb in the Hyundai New Zealand i20 AP4 and finishing in the top four was a testament to his driving skills.

Reeves has long been a favourite in New Zealand rally events. His participation always draws plenty of attention, especially from the local betting community.
The Aussie star has built a reputation as a standout figure in motorsports, which means that every race he competes in attracts significant betting activity.
For bookmakers like Playup, Reeves’ performance proved to be costly. Many bettors backed him to finish in the top five and he delivered a tasty winning return for them.

Daybreaker Proves to be Frustrating for Stokes

The Daybreaker Rally was an event packed with frustration, heartbreak and misfortunes for several talented drivers.
Robbie Stokes came into the event leading the NZRC but suffered a series of unfortunate mechanical issues that forced him to bow out early.
His Ford Fiesta AP4 has been a strong contender all season, but it was hit with intermittent electrical problems from the start. Despite his team’s best efforts, they couldn’t get the car to run smoothly.
Stokes was out of the race by the third stage, leaving his championship hopes in tatters. His exit paved the way for Paddon and Hunt to take control of the title race.

On the other side of the spectrum, there were some really strong performances from several other drivers at the Daybreaker Rally, including New Zealand’s Emma Gilmour.
Her resilience was on display as she claimed a fifth-place finish in her Vantage New Zealand Citroen C3 to add another impressive result to her CV.