2006 AA EnergyWise Rally Starts Tomorrow

Media Advisory: 5 November 2006

2006 AA EnergyWise Rally Starts Tomorrow

New Zealand’s only car rally that promotes fuel efficiency and environmental friendliness, the AA EnergyWise Rally, starts on Monday 6 November.

The Rally is designed to identify the most fuel efficient new cars and the most effective fuel-saving driving techniques. It is held every two years and is organised by the AA and EECA, (the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority). Fuel is being supplied free of charge to all vehicles by Gull New Zealand Ltd.

The first Rally cars depart Auckland’s Ellerslie Racecource at 8.00am, following a drivers’ briefing, welcome speeches and the official start of the Rally by Minister for Transport Safety Harry Duynhoven. All cars will have departed Ellerslie by 9.00am.

Over the four day period, Monday 6 November to Thursday 9 November 2006, the Rally will cover more than 1,600 kms around the North Island and involve 54 vehicles and more than 100 drivers. The Rally will visit Taumarunui, Palmerston North, Wellington, Whangamomona and Rotorua.

13 new vehicle distributors have entered the Rally: Honda, Holden, Ford, Kia, Mitsubishi, Mazda, BMW, Peugeot, Alfa Romeo, Volkswagen, Fiat, Daimler Chrysler and Hyundai. There are two hybrid vehicles participating, one LPG, and over 20 diesel and petrol vehicles respectively.

The Rally vehicles have been divided into 8 classes: Small Cars, Compact Cars, Medium / Executive Cars, Large / Luxury Cars, Small Lifestyle / Leisure Vehicles, Large Lifestyle / Leisure Vehicles and Commercial Vehicles. There is also a demonstration class involving both bioethanol and biofuel cars.

Rally drivers include Holden Supercar driver Greg Murphy, the current holder of New Zealand’s land-speed record for diesel cars, Maurice O’Reilly as well as many of New Zealand's leading motoring journalists.

Winners of the 2006 AA EnergyWise Rally will be announced at an awards dinner held in Auckland on 9 November.

Further information on the 2006 AA EnergyWise Rally is available at www.aaenergywiserally.co.nz.

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