Home Australia Explained: How 15-year-old who died in a rally crash got the OK to race a high-powered car when it’s not legal for him to drive on public roads

Explained: How 15-year-old who died in a rally crash got the OK to race a high-powered car when it’s not legal for him to drive on public roads

by Elijah
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Brooklyn Horan was capable of driving a high-powered motor vehicle at age 15. He died during a race in New Zealand on Sunday.
  • Brooklyn Horan died on Sunday at age 15
  • A young man died while competing in a rally event
  • He was legally allowed to drive a high-powered car.

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Brooklyn Horan, the teenager who died during a motorsports event in New Zealand, was able to drive because the laws allowed him to.

The 15-year-old and his co-driver, Tyson Jemmett, 35, were tragically killed during the Arcadia Road Rallysprint on Sunday.

Emergency services pronounced the couple dead at the scene after their vehicle left the gravel road and crashed into a swollen river at around 2pm local time.

Horan was driving the vehicle when the incident occurred in Paparoa at an event held by the Hibiscus Coast Motorsport Club.

“Our thoughts are with the family and friends of these two competitors and everyone involved in the Arcadia Road Rallysprint,” said Motorsport New Zealand president Wayne Christie.

“It is understandable that the entire motorsport community is shocked and upset by this terrible tragedy. In the coming days we will offer support to all those involved.”

Brooklyn Horan was capable of driving a high-powered motor vehicle at age 15. He died during a race in New Zealand on Sunday.

Brooklyn Horan was capable of driving a high-powered vehicle at the age of 15. He died during a race in New Zealand on Sunday

And the reason why the 15-year-old was able to drive the high-powered vehicle has been made clear.

According to the AP, New Zealanders cannot obtain a driver’s license until they are 16, but younger drivers can compete in motorsports events on closed roads under certain conditions.

Governing body MotorSport New Zealand said it “offers youth racing licenses for competitors aged 12 to 15 years.”

“There are stricter requirements that these young drivers must meet to obtain their competition license, as well as restrictions on the types of events and vehicles in which they are allowed to compete.”

MotorSport New Zealand noted that top racing drivers Scott Dixon, Liam Lawson and rally driver Hayden Paddon competed before their 16th birthday.

‘First and foremost, my deepest thoughts and wishes are with Raana, Lynnaire, Lucy and all the families involved during this tragic time. The entire motorsport community is with you,” Paddon said in a social media post.

‘Hearing about Brooklyn and Tyson’s accident yesterday is paralyzing.

“Brooklyn, for someone so young, with so much talent and a great future in the sport I’m sure would have gone all the way.

‘You were the future of our sport, but also one of the kindest and most humble young people I have ever met. Your career may have just begun but you had already made your mark.

‘Tyson, you were one of the true rally enthusiasts. I remember you in [World Rally Championship] events throughout 2017 and 2018 waving the New Zealand flag and supporting us through thick and thin, always promoting the sport of rallying in the media.

‘A great businessman, athlete and family man. Thinking of your wife and family right now.

A very promising junior, Horan showed his talents in several racing disciplines, particularly participating in this season’s Toyota 86 Championship.

His father, Raana, is also an accomplished racing driver primarily focused on rally driving.

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