Jagger Let Loose On NZ's Best Roads

This Saturday's Rally of the North will not only present high speed action-filled entertainment for all but also an opportunity for locals to come out in support of recently crowned two-wheel-drive national champion Ben Jagger as he rips up selected gravel roads from Hukerenui to Kaitaia.

Just last month at the season's final in Nelson, Jagger who is the highest rated up-and-coming rally driver from Northland clearly won the New Zealand Rally Championship Group N 2WD title by a whopping 88 points over second placed Ben Hunt.

This Saturday's rally will give Jagger the chance to once again climb back behind the wheel of the SeedForce Fiesta which has taken him through two seasons of hot competition and with it the ultimate reward of winning the title this year.

The championship winning rally car will go on sale after this weekend's event with Jagger's team purchasing a four wheel drive Mitsubishi or Subaru for the 2010 season.

Having achieved his goals for the 2009 season Jagger will be able to just let loose on Saturday as he focusses all his attention on the one day event without the weight of a lengthy championship to consider.

"It will just be a good rally and we don't have to worry about anything but going hard." he says.

Also it will let him acknowledge his sponsors and supporters as he drives the Seedforce Fiesta through the north with the one day rally implementing roads from Hukerenui and Ruapekapeka through the Hokianga on to Kaitaia via Mangonui and Kaeo before returning to the starting point of Paihia.

"We're doing this rally because it's a really good one to do and the roads are pretty mean - some say they are the best in New Zealand" said Jagger.

The Rally of the North base is in the picturesue Bay of Islands with the event starting at the Paihia public carpark at 7am and ending at the Copthorne Hotel and Resort in Waitangi with the first car expected to return at around 5.10pm.

The rally will host about 60 cars from around the country with over 10 drivers from Northland including Brendon Oakden who is currently holding second place in the Top Half Series leading into this exciting final round.

Maps, stage times and all details regarding the rally can be accessed on the website www.rallyofthenorth.co.nz or by visiting the Copthorne Hotel and Resort at Waitangi.

Ben Jagger would like to extend his appreciation and acknowledge the people and businesses who have made his 2009 season and winning of the New Zealand Rally Championship Group N 2WD title possible.

"I would like to take the opportunity to thank our sponsors Bruce Garrett from SeedForce for their continued support over the last two seasons and Ben Wood at SpeedySigns Whangarei."

"Pacific Motorgroup. Mark and Claire Pearson from Bream Head Coastal Walks and Farmlands who came on board and helped us out with funding for the final round at Nelson."

"And real big thanks to Paul McDonald at Whangarei Heads Auto Technicians and Kevin Whoolhouse who are our main service crew, and to Robin Grieve and my uncle Brian Stokes who helped us out at the South Island rounds."

"Alister McRae who taught me quite a bit when we did a session at Waitangi Forest which has helped - last year we went off the road quite a bit and this year it's been quite clear sailing."

"Also the Elite Motorsport Academy who were a big help and is still ongoing"

"Dad and my family - I couldn't do it without them and of course Bryce and the team at Bindons Auto Electrical and Engineering Supplies for letting me and Ben (Hawkins) have the time off to do the season and who is giving us the time off for the shoot-out in England this December."

"And a special thanks to my co-driver Ben Hawkins for all his hard work and effort over the season."

Ben Jagger has had much support throughout the season with the hard work behind the scenes and preparation going into the rounds very much a major reason for the team's success as pointed out by Ben Jagger's father and team manager Murray Jagger.

"It has been a very successful season with every thing going to plan and the result has been a calculated one from our maintenance programme through to Ben's driving at each event. This has resulted in being consistent through the season." he says.

Ben Jagger has a shoot-out in November to compete for Rally New Zealand's Rising Stars Scholarship and in December will fly to the UK for a Ford Fiesta Trophy international shoot-out where he will compete against title winners from across the globe for a place in the world class M-Sport Rally Team.