Both the number and the calibre of entries for this year’s Rally New Zealand, the fifth round of the 2010 FIA World Rally Championship, have reinforced the popularity of the long-running New Zealand event.
A total of 56 teams are set to start Rally New Zealand on 6 May, marking the event’s 40th anniversary. The entry list includes nine WRC, 13 Production World Rally Championship (PWRC) and seven Super 2000 World Rally Championship (SWRC) teams, plus 27 entries in the supporting New Zealand Rally Championship (NZRC) and Group N production car categories.
Rally New Zealand chairman Chris Carr says this year’s entries provide a clear indication that the event continues to have strong appeal.
“Rally of Sweden, the first WRC round this year, started 55 cars. We’re on the other side of the world and are delighted to have received a similar number of entries. To us, this says the rally is a favourite and integral part of the World Rally Championship,” says Carr.
“As well as world-leading WRC drivers like Sébastien Loeb, Mikko Hirvonen, Petter Solberg, Dani Sordo and Jari-Matti Latvala, we will have the best production and Super 2000 teams competing here.
“To have 13 teams in this year’s Production World Rally Championship heading to New Zealand in May shows teams and drivers continue to value Rally New Zealand, despite the event’s geographical location. It’s hugely important and valuable for our local teams to get to measure their own ability against the likes of former production champion Toshi Arai.
“This year, we’re particularly looking forward to seeing rising Kiwi star Hayden Paddon in action as an official PWRC entrant. Very few New Zealanders have contested the full PWRC, so Hayden is in a unique position to carve himself a new place in New Zealand rallying history. We’ll also be watching out for two more top Kiwi drivers, Richard Mason and Emma Gilmour, as the Rally New Zealand guest PWRC entries, have the opportunity to pit their talents directly against some of the world’s best production car drivers.
“We’re also excited to see the popularity of the new Super 2000 class with talented drivers such as Spain’s Xevi Pons and Sweden’s Per-Gunnar Andersson not only increasing the numbers of international drivers competing here this year, but adding interest for spectators following this new class of rally car,” adds Carr.
The number of entries in the NZRC and Group N fields highlights the strength and depth of talent in New Zealand rallying.
“A very strong number of competitors – both New Zealanders and a handful of international competitors – are contesting the tough three-day route of Rally New Zealand in these classes which run behind the main WRC fields. The commitment from this number of entrants is another strong signal of Rally New Zealand’s role as a much valued event both regionally and globally,” says Carr.
“The combination of excellent roads, a well-designed route and a well-run event adds to the event’s appeal to competitors, and we are justifiably proud of organising a truly world-class event which has featured on both the global and New Zealand motorsport calendars for 40 years this year.”
Rally New Zealand is renowned for its spectacular scenery and open-flowing style of road style. The smooth, cambered gravel roads make it a real test for car setup and stability, key aspects promoted by vehicle manufacturers.
Rally New Zealand runs from 6 to 9 May with numerous activities taking place in and around Auckland in the week leading up to the official start ceremony at Viaduct Harbour on 6 May. On Sunday 2 May, there’s an official driver autograph signing session rally headquarters at SKYCITY Auckland, then from Monday to Wednesday schools all over the Auckland region have been invited to take a guided tour of the official service park on Auckland’s Princes Wharf. During the three days of competition, crews travel north on Friday to use roads around the Whangarei and Kaipara districts with a lunchtime service in downtown Whangarei. On Saturday, they head to Franklin and north Waikato and make two runs on a super special stage on the new Hampton Downs race circuit, as part of a full-on day of motorsport action at Hampton Downs Motorsport Park. Sunday’s stages take competitors to the beautiful Raglan coast before returning to Auckland for the ceremonial finish on Viaduct Harbour.
Numerous car marques will be represented during Rally New Zealand, namely Citroen, Ford Mitsubishi, Subaru, Skoda, and Fiat among the local and international entries. Alongside the 29 entries from New Zealand drivers are entries from drivers from Andorra, Italy, Argentina, Japan, Australia, Mexico, Brazil, Norway, China, Qatar, Czech Republic, Spain, Finland, Sweden, France and Great Britain.
Tickets and the official rally programme, with full details and the map for spectators, goes on sale at Repco outlets around the country on Friday 16 April.