Brian Terry & Brendan Olsen

🚗 Toyota Starlet – Class B

For Brian Terry and Brendan Olsen, Rally Taumarunui is more than just another event—it's a chance to return to some of New Zealand's classic rally roads.

Brian's passion for the sport began in the early 1970s while spectating the iconic Heatway Rally around Rotorua.

"I always thought it would be great to compete on roads like those. It just looked like so much fun."

Brendan's introduction came through a lifelong love of cars.

With his father working as a motor mechanic, motorsport was never far away, and in 1984 he won a prize that many young rally fans could only dream of—a ride alongside rally legend Bruce McKenzie in his Toyota Starlet through Gwavas Forest.

Both have enjoyed memorable moments throughout long rally careers.

For Brian, one of the highlights came at the 1989 Daybreaker Rally, where he set the second-fastest time on the opening special stage in his Datsun P510, ahead of an Audi Quattro driven by the legendary "Greenie” (Brian Green).

Brendan's proudest achievement was winning the 1994 New Zealand Rally Championship Group N 0–2000cc class alongside his brother Jon in their Honda Civic EF9 VTEC—a car that still proudly sits in the shed today.

Of course, rallying always produces stories that stay with you.

Brian still laughs about helping push another competitor back onto the road in the Hunter before realising he was being dragged along with the intercom cable still connected!

Meanwhile, Brendan recalls receiving a phone call from his brother—who had already gone off the road further ahead in the stage—to warn him about a particularly tricky corner... just moments before they found themselves off the road as well.

This year's Rally Taumarunui is also something of a reunion.

Brian remembers competing here throughout the late 1980s and 1990s.

"I've always enjoyed the Taumarunui Rally. They're great stages."

Brendan shares those memories, although one particular visit in 1992 ended with their AE86 requiring a new roof and driver's door after an accident.

One thing spectators may not realise is that Brian and Brendan have now been rallying together for 20 years.

Away from the driver's seat, Brian is a highly skilled composites fabricator, with all of the composite work on their unique Toyota Starlet—including the impressive dashboard and interior—completed by his own hand.

Under the bonnet is something equally special: a 1352cc Kawasaki ZX-14 motorcycle engine, making this one of the most distinctive cars in the Rally Taumarunui field.

As for Brendan?

"I'm just vertically challenged... I did all my growing by the age of 14!" 😄

Together, Brian and Brendan are looking forward to once again enjoying the legendary King Country roads they've admired for decades.

Please join us in welcoming Brian and Brendan to Rally Taumarunui, and be sure to give them a wave when you see their spectacular Toyota Starlet out on the stages! 👋🏁