Daybreaker Rally in New Zealand gets Big Name Boost
New Zealand is buzzing with anticipation as the Daybreaker Rally prepares to make a thrilling return in 2024, following a successful revival last year
Powered by Brian Green Properties, the motorsport event is deeply embedded in Kiwi sporting culture and is a celebration ofThe rally will once again take place in Manawatu and Rangitikei and will offer a mix of scenic beauty and challenging tracks that will test the skills of the drivers.
The Daybreaker Rally organisers are adding new features to involve the community more closely this year, making the event even more engaging and exciting for everyone.
The competitive nature of the rally, coupled with its top-notch drivers, means the competition will generate plenty of interest from the New Zealand betting community.
Motorsports events such as the Daybreaker Rally offer unique opportunities for punters to make a profit, and the best betting sites offer several market options for bettors to wager on.
The unpredictability of the rally, with its challenging routes and the possibility of surprises and upsets, makes it an appealing event for both casual and experienced bettors.
Key Event Highlights of the 2024 Daybreaker Rally
Racing enthusiasts are gearing up for an exciting weekend of high-speed action as the Daybreaker Rally kicks off on Friday, September 13.
The event will start with a ‘Meet the Crews and Car Show’ at The Square in Palmerston North. It provides a fantastic opportunity for fans to get up close to the rally cars and meet the drivers.
The rally cars will then make their way to the Arena for the Harcourts AFC Super Special Stage. This head-to-head competition will give spectators multiple vantage points that offer a thrilling view of the drivers as they battle it out on a specially designed course.
The stage starts at 6.00 pm and will set the tone for the intense competition that will unfold over the next day. The rally resumes in the early hours of Saturday, with the first car set to leave the overnight park at 4.00 am.
The competitors will navigate the challenging gravel roads of the Rangitikei’s Turakina Valley and finish in the switchback hairpin of Ridge Road North near Mataroa.
The rally emphasises the technical and physical demands on the drivers. It is designed to test their skills and endurance, with a focus on tight and twisty roads that require planning, precision and utmost concentration for successful navigation.
Fans can also enjoy a second meet-the-drivers session in Feilding Town Centre just before midday on Saturday, giving attendees another chance to engage with the competitors.
The rally will continue after a service break with drivers revisiting the Peep-o-Day and McBeth sections before tackling the Ridge Road, leading to the conclusion at Pohangina.
The event will wrap up with a demonstration event and a reversed field run of the Super Special Stage, which will determine the overall winner.
The ceremonial finale will see the cars parked on the arena infield, where the overall winner will be crowned. It’s certainly a fitting way to drop the curtain on a weekend of high-octane action.
The Battle for the Daybreaker Rally Title
As a round of the Brian Green Property Group New Zealand Rally Championship, the Daybreaker Rally is crucial for the competitors vying for the overall title.
This year’s edition is the fourth round of the six-round series, so the stakes are higher than ever.
Canterbury’s Robbie Stokes currently leads the championship but faces stiff competition from former champion Ben Hunt. The 2023 Daybreaker Rally champion Hayden Paddon is also in the mix despite missing the season opener.
The seven-time rally racing title winner was unavailable for the curtain raiser due to his participation in the European Rally Championship (ERC).
The upcoming rally attracts a diverse group of drivers, from experienced players to first-timers and international guests. One notable addition to this year’s event is Australian rally star Brendan Reeves.
Driving the championship-winning Hyundai i20 AP4 car alongside co-driver Amy Hudson, Reeves is making an exciting comeback to the rallying scene and will team up with New Zealand co-driver Amy Hudson.
Reeves is excited about the challenge, especially the early morning stages and night sections. After a long hiatus, he is eager to get back behind the wheel of a top-level car on New Zealand roads.
His participation highlights the international appeal of the Daybreaker Rally and the high level of competition that comes with it.
Reeves has previously been successful in New Zealand, recording a number of eye-catching victories, including the Gold Rush Rally of Coromandel in 2017.
The Aussie racing phenom is certainly a formidable opponent and will be eyeing further success at the Daybreaker Rally in September.