INDEPENDENT NEWS

Rally Wairarapa 2014 is green for go

Published: Wed 2 Apr 2014 11:10 AM
Rally Wairarapa 2014 is green for go
Having worked with the local communities, residents and Councils over the last 8 months, through earthquakes and concerns on road use, the Trusthouse Racetech Rally Wairarapa is now set to deliver an exciting and challenging motorsport event on Saturday 28th June.
“It has been a full team effort”, says Bruce Sollitt, Secretary of the organising committee. “We were complimented by all on the efforts we have expended in consultation and applying road closure protocols”. Certainly, the support the Councils have shown this event continues to be appreciated.
This sees a challenging new route that will take competitors from an early morning start in Pahiatua, on a 9 stage, 166km adventure, with service stops in Pongaroa and Masterton, to the finishing line at Rally HQ, outside the Copthorne Solway Park.
“They certainly won’t be able to rely on notes from previous years”, says Clerk of the Course Dave Davies. Some roads may be familiar, but with many run in a reverse direction or a different configuration to previous years, the course takes on a new character and any familiarity is lost.
With this rally being a round of the New Zealand Rally Championship, Rally Xtreme Challenge, and the Central Region Rally Series, the new route will make for an exciting contest. Especially as there have been a swag of developments in the various series.
In the Brian Green Property Group New Zealand Rally Championship there has been a growing level of excitement as the new season approaches. Upgrades to the cars of Richard Mason and Emma Gilmour are being matched by brand new builds from Andrew Hawkeswood and Alex Kelsey. Meanwhile Patrick Malley has opted to import a Peugeot 208 from Poland, running a similar specification to WRC2. With a number of young chargers also updating their machinery, the established top order will undoubtedly be put under pressure.
The result being that the competition at the Trusthouse Racetech Rally Wairarapa will be intense and exciting, as the drivers take to the back roads of the Tararua, Masterton and Carterton districts.
Fast Facts
• Round 4 of 2014 Brian Green Property Group New Zealand Rally Championship - powered by Vinz
• Round 2 of Geartech Central Region Rally Series
• Round 2 of the Classic Challenge Trophy
• 9 Special Stages
• 166km of competitive Special Stages
www.rallywairarapa.co.nz
ENDS

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