Rally fans can enjoy multiple spectator vantage points to watch New Zealand’s best rally drivers take on the cream of the Asia Pacific region during the 15 to 17 July running of the International Rally of Whangarei.
The event features as the fourth rounds of the FIA Asia Pacific Rally Championship (APRC) and Brian Green Property Group New Zealand Rally Championship (NZRC) and, for Clubmans category competitors, it also counts as a round of the Top Half Rally Series.
With 76 teams from nine different countries competing, the calibre of competition will make for intense spectating believes the event’s sporting manager Willard Martin, who has labelled a number of the junctions and intersections as excellent spectator vantage points.
“With such a strong field, this year’s rally will be particularly good event to watch, so we have a number of key vantage points including prime spectator locations that provide catering, results information and toilet facilities,” says Martin.
“Along with three-time winner Hayden Paddon from Geraldine, who has been doing exceptionally well overseas and currently leads the Production World Rally Championship, former World Rally Championship drivers Alister McRae and Chris Atkinson are two other drivers who will be doing everything they can to win here.”
The rally officially starts in Whangarei’s Cameron Street Mall at 4:30pm on Friday before the action gets underway at 8am Saturday morning when competitors depart the Quayside Town Basin service park to head for the morning’s stages near Paparoa. Competitors return to Whangarei for the Pohe Island super special stage late morning and a service break before repeating the four stages in the afternoon. All cars are secured into Parc Ferme overnight before resuming competition from 7am Sunday morning with the route again taking competitors south of the city to Waipu Caves, Wairere and Tanoa. The event concludes with a ceremonial finish quayside from 3:30pm Sunday.
Martin says: “We welcome everyone to come and enjoy the start and finish ceremonies – they’re free to watch and a lot of fun. If you’d prefer to head out to watch the gravel action, we have tickets are available to the Saturday rural stages, Saturday Pohe Island special stage or all stages on Sunday – each ticket is $10 per adult, or simply buy a gold pass for $30 to access all stages. Children under 15 are free with a paying adult. Tickets can be purchased on the day from spectator points or at the rally headquarters at Quayside Town Basin from Wednesday 13 July.”
Martin notes that a share of ticket revenue is returned to the local community groups that help run the spectator points.
“The most well-known ‘prime spectator point’ is at the Swamp Road bridge – called Hella Bridge – where the cars often get air as they jump the hump bridge. Fans can expect to see the first competitor through this point just after 8:53am, with the full field returning through this stage again from 1:15pm.
“The second key location is Pohe Island, where the Lions Clubs of Whangarei run their very popular family fun day. A whole range of activities begin at 9am and include a motocross ‘dash for cash’ race, and bouncy castles and other activities for the children. Expect to see the top seeded driver start their quick blast around the 1.5km stage at 11:27am and again at 3:49pm.
“Other good spectator points on Saturday include special stages one and five, Brooks, at the junction of Gold Stairs and Swamp Roads, with the first car through just after 8:53am and again after 1:15pm. Special stages two and six, Bull, are best watched from the junctions of Porter and Ararua Roads or Ararua and Bull roads (first car 9:26am or 1:48pm). Action in special stages three and seven, Cassidy, can be seen from the junctions of Central and Acadia Roads or Mason, Harrison and Central Roads (first car 10:24am or 2:46pm),” explains Martin.
“On Sunday, to see special stages nine and 13, Waipu Caves, head to the junctions of Ruarangi and Graham Roads or Springfield and Waipu Caves Roads (first car 7:48am or 12:03pm). To catch special stages 10 and 14, Waipu Gorge, try the junction of Gorge and Doctor Hill Roads (first car 8:31am or 12:46pm). Special stages 11 and 15, Batley, offer great viewing at the junction of Bickerstaffe and Judd Roads (first car 8:54am or 1:09pm), and finally special stages 12 and 16, Wairere, can be enjoyed from the junctions of Wairere and Wairere Valley Roads or Golden Stairs and Swamp Roads, or the prime spectator point, Hella Bridge on Swamp Road (first car 9:32am or 1:47pm).”
Martin notes: “While we encourage people to get out and see the action, we also ask they respect people’s property. Remember rally cars are travelling at high speed. Stay behind fences and in the designated spectator areas. Our trained marshals understand the dangers and we appreciate everyone following the guidelines provided by the marshals at all times.”
The official rally map includes detailed descriptions on how to get to all the designated spectator points to enjoy watching the best action while staying safe.
“The rally map is available, free, from Rally Headquarters on the corner of Dent Street and Quayside Way, Quayside Town Basin, Whangarei, from Wednesday 13 July.”
The map and spectator location details can also be downloaded from the website, www.rallywhangarei.co.nz, and will also feature in the ‘ultimate Rally Whangarei guide’ published by the Northern Advocate on 13 July.
Keen rally fans can also find the rally teams celebrating at Salut Bar on Sunday night after the rally.