Team Work The Key At Daybreaker Rally Wairarapa
To be successful in motorsport you need a great team, especially in rallying. This has been particularly evident for the
Trusthouse Racetech Daybreaker Rally Wairarapa over more than a decade.
Naming sponsors, Trusthouse and Racetech have been supporting the event from the start, showing loyalty not often seen
in commercial sponsorships these days. More recently Eastwood Motor Group have come to the party, and this year they are
hosting a number of activities in support.
With an even longer association, the Copthorne Hotel and Resort Solway Park has been associated with earlier
incarnations of Rally Wairarapa during the 80s and 90s. These days it provides a one stop shop as Rally HQ,
accommodation and socialising venue. “The team there are fantastic, making the event so much easier to organise and
run”, says rally secretary Tracey Stringer.
However the financial support from the sponsors isn’t pocketed by the event, it flows back out to the local communities
each year. From the bigger towns to the smaller locations, from Pongaroa, to Eketahuna, to Apiti and places in between,
various community groups have provided valuable assistance and benefited as a result.
Mauriceville Volunteer Fire Brigade is a group who have provided assistance over a number of years. “They are great”,
says chief marshal Greg Ordish. “Whatever we need they are happy to help, from fire safety at re-fuelling points to
block marshals, these guys are reliable”.
Talking of safety, Wellington Free Ambulance are another critical group. Providing medical personnel and vehicles at the
start of every special stage, they are the first responders to any incident. “Thankfully we haven’t kept them too busy
over the years” says Clerk of the Course Dave Davies, “but they are a vital part of our safety plan”.
This year the rally starts in Pohangina and is based there for half the event. The Pohangina County Fayre will sell food
and refreshment to the sudden influx of rally related people, taking the opportunity to raise funds, otherwise hard to
come by.
“Over the years the event has put hundreds of thousands dollars into the local communities we are involved with”, says
rally chairman John Clunie. The result being assistance towards, computers in schools, new equipment, maintenance work,
travel for groups, and other initiatives. “We’re proud to have such a wide variety of groups help us, and in return for
us to help them”.
Once again the rally will start with a community event. Hosted by Eastwood Motor Group on Dixon Street, the event will
kick off on Friday night (2nd October) with a driver signing session, and car display from 6pm. This is a great family
opportunity to meet the stars of the sport and see some of the cars up close.
Continuing a tradition started by Richard and Sara Mason, this year sees the famous colouring competition sponsored by
Eastwoods, with the draw for two iPad Minis happening after 6.15pm. As the local Hyundai dealer, they also have Hayden
Paddon team gear to give-away to lucky members of the public.
“This fantastic team work has developed into our wider rally family”, says John Clunie. “It’s part of what makes the
event so enjoyable, but most of all, allows the event to happen, full stop”.
ENDS