Rally duo celebrate milestone
Ben Hunt and co-driver Tony Rawstorn will enter their 10th season of rallying together when they fire up Hunt’s Subaru WRX STI on the start line of the Drivesouth Rally of Otago on March 13.
Nine years ago, the two friends paired up for the first time, after Hunt decided to form his own rally team - Hunt Motorsports for that 2010 season.
After several national 2WD victories, the duo moved into a Group N All-Wheel Drive Subaru Impreza WRX in 2013 and three seasons later would celebrate becoming the New Zealand Rally Champions. In 2016 Subaru of New Zealand offered Hunt the use of a brand-new production model Subaru WRX STI, which he had converted to a rally car.
“It only feels like the other day I started rallying with Tony. It’s awesome to have him in the Subaru with me. We get on really well and its cool having a mate sitting next to me calling my pace notes,” says Hunt.
The Kiwi All-Wheel Drive car company recently gifted the Subaru to Hunt - handing him the keys in recognition of his successful three years rallying this modified performance vehicle. Subaru has been sponsoring Hunt since the end of 2015 when his rallying talent saw him taken on as a brand ambassador.
He finished runner-up in the Brian Green Property Group New Zealand Rally Championship (NZRC) to WRC driver Hayden Paddon last year and with Paddon not registering for NZRC points in 2019, the door is wide open for Hunt.
“Being competitive, I always want to win but more importantly than that, my main goal is to be consistent as well as fast. We have to finish each of the six rallies to win the championship and be right up there with the front-runners. If we can do that, then it all leads to the NZRC title,” Hunt says.
His Hunt Motorsports team, along with Paul and Bryan Hayton from Speedhub Motorsport, have stripped the Subaru down to a bare shell and rebuilt it for the 2019 season.
“Thanks to the other guys in the crew that have flown up to help out with various different stages of the build. We have been meticulous with how we put the Subaru back together,” Hunt says.
A shakedown test bedded in the new components and allowed Hunt to try out the changes to the gearbox ratio that the team has made. It also gave him a chance to test the Pajid Racing Brake Pads and Pirelli tyres he is using this season and find the right compounds for both of the new additions.
“Tony and I are now looking forward to the fast, scenic and iconic roads that make up the Drivesouth Rally of Otago. There are record numbers entered and some big names competing, which makes it a fantastic way to start the championship,” Hunt says.
The 2019 event will be preceded by a two-pass reconnaissance on March 11 afternoon and March 12 morning, and a ceremonial rally start in Dunedin’s centre, The Octagon, from 5pm on March 12. The 15 gravel special stages will be held on March 13 and March 14 with the Rally of Otago’s traditional mix of challenging stages awaiting competitors.
Watch a video of Ben and his Hunt Motorsports team preparing his Subaru WRX STI for the 2019 rally season.
