Sunday's event, which has attracted more than 40 starters, is the first of five rounds in The Total Lubricants Rally Xtreme national series. Masterton will host the second round in two weeks.
"I'm making a full effort to compete in all five rounds which is why Hawke's Bay is my first event," Kelsey said.
The youngest driver to win a national championship rally when he took out the Whangarei Rally in 2012 as a 19-year-old, Kelsey raced two Subaru cars, the second of which he also built and modified before opting for his Peugeot project.
During his younger days he was into karting before deciding to follow his father Richard into the rally scene.
"I've always enjoyed the adventure of rallying. You're on the go all the time and it's a lot more challenging."
A self-taught mechanic who helps his parents run a quarry business in Coromandel, Kelsey will have experienced Waikato driver Malcolm Peden as his co-driver. Peden is familiar with the seven-stage Bay rally which will end with a Hawke's Bay Car Club track stage at Bridge Pa.
Kelsey's father will be in his crew. With a 3.5 litre V6 engine made in France and a six-speed sequential gearbox Kelsey's car is expected to be sought after by spectators. Providing Kelsey survives the first four stages, his progress on the 17km fifth stage which takes in the Mohaka Coach Road, will be watched with interest.
This has often been the stage where Taylor's closest rivals find grief. Having won all four Rally Xtreme rounds he has raced it's not surprising Taylor has been handed the favourite's tag again. "I'm so excited to be racing my car for the first time. It will be surreal to finally get out there and drive it. I've dreamed of this moment for a long time.
"Events like this are the reason for building my car," Kelsey said. "I want to attract more spectators to rallying events so I have built a car that will draw the crowds. It looks good, sounds awesome and hopefully it will perform well."
Rally Xtreme series organiser Tanya Gwynne pointed out support for rallying has been dwindling in recent years due to tough economic times and increasing expenses.
"Our series is affordable for all competitors. It allows the drivers the opportunity to be competitive within their classes as well as bringing in the younger generation to the sport.
"Registrations this year have seen the introduction of several new and young competitors which is what we are trying to achieve. It is great to see the sport being reignited with competitors like Alex Kelsey," Gwynne said.
Kelsey's car and several others involved with the rally will be on display from 3-6pm on Saturday at VJ Distributors in Hastings.
