On Thursday, the 29-year-old from Whangarei was working on a Japanese car to be driven by New Zealander Michael Young and co-driven by Australian Erin Kelly.
"It's been incredible. I can't even begin to explain how amazing it is," Ms Hopper said.
She's been riveting, putting mudflaps under the cars and fabricating brake scrapes with her partner, the only other female on the course, Mariana Pukeroa.
"It's been a real learning curve."
Her favourite aspect of being involved so far is riding in one of the cars at a vehicle testing station so it could get a warrant of fitness.
All rally cars were required to be road legal with warrants and registrations, she said.
NorthTec automotive tutor Lucas Connew said this was the fifth year the students and rally mechanic teams had worked together.
"It's really good for the students. They learn heaps and it's always good to see all the information and stories they come back with."
There was no formal marking or assessment for the work they did with the teams. It was purely work experience, he said.
Melbourne-based mechanic and police officer Roger van Roosmalen, who has been with the Pedders Racing team for five years, was working alongside some of the students.
"It's good. It gives them an opportunity to see what it's like to work on a race team, which is considerably different from working as a mechanic," he said.
"They've been working very nicely - the more you do, the better you get.
"Hopefully they get inspired."
