Ten different manufacturers in top 10 seeds at Coromandel 

A total of 10 different manufacturers make up the top 10 seeds at this weekend’s Hyundai New Zealand Goldrush Rally of Coromandel in what is considered a world first.

Highlighting the strength of the Brian Green Property Group New Zealand Rally Championship a total of 14 different manufacturers will take part in the one-day event – part of a 57-strong entry list to tackle the eight gravel stages.

WRC star Hayden Paddon is the top seed in his Hyundai i20 AP4+ for the fifth round of the championship based out of the seaside town of Whitianga on the Coromandel Peninsula.

Two-time defending champion Australian Brendan Reeves returns as the second seed in the Force Motorsport Mazda 2 AP4 while Ben Hunt is third seed in his Subaru WRX.

Current Australian champion Nathan Quinn makes his fourth consecutive start in a different car – this time he is piloting a Peugeot 208 Proto.

Matt Summerfield is seeded fifth in the Ralliart New Zealand Mitsubishi Mirage with current championship runner-up Josh Marston next in his Holden Barina AP4.

Dylan Turner returns from missing the previous two rounds in his Audi S1 AP4 while Emma Gilmour is seeded eighth in the Suzuki Swift.

The impressive Raana Horan will debut his Skoda Fabia R5 on the tight and twisty roads while Australia-based Irishman Richie Dalton completes the top 10 in a Ford Fiesta Proto.

Drivers tackle a total of 113km of high-speed contest across eight special stages in the one-day event.