Two Days in North for Propecia Rally New Zealand

Two Days in North for Propecia Rally New Zealand

Propecia Rally New Zealand, confirmed as the fourth round of next year’s revamped World Rally Championship in April, will be based in Northland for two days for the first time.

The rally, to be staged from April 10 to 13, will include two days in the Kaipara region north of Auckland, to come more in to line with international trends in the World Rally Championship.

The popular Super Special Stage will again be held at Manukau City, but on Saturday evening April 12, with the third and final day centred at the Te Kauwhata service park in the Waikato district.

Organisers stressed that the decision to bypass the spectacular roads in the Waikato region near Raglan was not a permanent move.

``Most of the World Rally Championship events are now using just one service park for the entire rally,’’ Rally New Zealand chairman Morrie Chandler said.

``We have traditionally used three distinct areas to offer drivers the best selection of roads in the best possible condition, and to give as many rally fans as possible the opportunity to watch the event.

``And the drivers have again been quick to praise the New Zealand roads as the best on the world circuit.

``They have also commented on the increasing pressure on their teams to relocate their bases each night, and that in turn this in turn has placed tremendous pressure on our volunteer staff.

``So we have decided to trial a two service park model for next year’s rally. We opted for the Kaipara as the preferred alternative for next year.

``We were also quite mindful that we have given the rally roads in the Raglan area quite a hammering and we think they do need a rest.

``That’s not a permanent decision as the roads in that general area of the Waikato are excellent and also provide some of the wonderful scenic shots that have been used around the world.’’

The service park will move to a new location at the showgrounds in Paparoa, near Maungaturoto.

``Next year the teams will be bringing in their full transport rigs as well and we required a bigger area to house the service park.’’

The rigs will be shipped to New Zealand before heading to the fifth round of the WRC in Argentina.

Rally New Zealand officials have been in consultation process with affected landowners and local councils.

``With the change of dates on the world circuit, we’ve only got six months to prepare and we are very grateful for the support from all authorities and landowners to get things underway.’’

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