Subaru’s Brand Ambassador in New Zealand, Ben Hunt was awarded with two trophies at the recent MotorSport New Zealand’s annual awards gala dinner in Wellington – one he knew about and one that was a pleasant surprise.
Receiving the 2015 NZ Rally Gold Star Champion Driver cup was a given after he won the Brian Green Property Group New Zealand Rally Championship last year. Winning the Rally Founders trophy for the first time in recognition of his professionalism and performance in this championship victory was an unexpected coup.
“Unfortunately I was unable to attend the MotorSport New Zealand awards in Wellington as I was testing our Subaru WRX STi, near Auckland, ahead of the Canterbury Rally this weekend. Winger Subaru Hamilton Dealer Principal Paul Burborough was accepting the Gold Star award on my behalf and then later that night he rang to say I’d won the Rally Founders award as well,” Hunt says.
“It was a real honour and a fantastic way to acknowledge everyone that has helped our Ben Hunt Motorsport team so far,” he adds.
Hunt, formerly of Nelson and now based in Auckland got the Rally Founders nod ahead of fellow nominees Tauranga’s Phil Campbell and Geraldine’s Hayden Paddon, who has won this trophy six times previously and this year was selected by New Zealand motorsport media representatives as the motorsport media personality of the year.
Inaugurated in 1990, the Rally Founders trophy, recognises the rally driver who performs with distinction during the rally season, either nationally and/or internationally; has a sportsman-like attitude towards the sport and others, and displays the qualities of a true sporting ambassador.
Mr Burborough accepted both awards on Hunt’s behalf. Hunt asked him to pay tribute to the Rally New Zealand Rising Stars Scholarship that he competed in during 2009 and to the team at Rally New Zealand for making this opportunity possible but most of all for selecting him as the winner.
Mr Burborough said that not only did Hunt win but from this opportunity he established some very strong relationships with people that he still has today – “people that have now
become great friends, supporters and even sponsors.”
“People like PJ, Kayne Barrie, Neil Allport, Richard Fraser and myself,” he said.
Mr Burborough then provided the audience with Hunt’s rallying history leading up to the national championship win in 2015.
“That’s why we are here tonight to salute a great guy and a great team. Ben would like to thank the following sponsors for their support not only for last year but for all the years they have helped the team, with many of them being involved since the start:”
Wallis Dumper and the team at Subaru of New Zealand
Winger Subaru Hamilton
Gull NZ
Total Lubricants (whom Subaru Genuine Parts replaced with Motul Oil in 2016).
Dunlop Tyres
Neil Allport Motorsport
Carbon Lorraine Brakes
Bluebridge
Hydraulink
Vantage Windows and Doors
And all other sponsors and supporters.
Mr Burborough said that as much as the Gold Star Champion Driver award is in Hunt’s name there was one other person that deserved to share this.
“Ben wanted me to pay special kudos and thanks to his co-driver Tony Rawstorn [who was present at the awards function to collect his Gold Star Champion Co-driver trophy] not only for years and years of impeccable work but more so for the wonderful friendship they have. That is the real reason they are successful, so Tony thanks not only from Ben but from all of your supporters,” Mr Burborough said.
He added that Hunt also thanked his family and partner Emma, as well as acknowledging the Ben Hunt Motorsport crew and their families for their support.
Outgoing MotorSport New Zealand president Shayne Harris says: “We present nearly 60 trophies and awards during this very special celebration of New Zealand motorsport, from our grassroots competition with hillclimbs and clubsport events right through to the highest tiers of world motorsport with the talents of drivers like Brendon Hartley and Hayden Paddon.
“With the four premier awards – the Jim Clark trophy, the Rally Founders trophy, the Steel memorial trophy and the Lupp trophy – we celebrate the best of the best in New Zealand motorsport and recognise the contributions made by these individuals at the top-end of the sport from a wonderful array of talented nominees.”
CAPTION: Subaru of New Zealand’s Brand Ambassador Ben Hunt was awarded with the 2015 NZ Rally Gold Star Champion Driver trophy, plus the Rally Founders trophy at the recent MotorSport New Zealand’s annual awards gala dinner in Wellington. PHOTO: GEOFF RIDDER.
For further information, please contact Subaru of New Zealand Public Relations - Catherine Pattison (027) 4455 389 or email catherine.pattison@subaru.co.nz