NEWS@RALLYSPORTMAG.COM.AU U P D NZ news A TE Photo: Geoff Ridder By BLAIR BARTELS 2017 sees the return of Rally New Zealand as organisers look to put together a candidate WRC event. The two-day event will run out of the East Coast city of Tauranga, the base for the proposed 2018 WRC round. Teams will also be competing for the Rally New Zealand trophy, which was first presented in 1969 and was last won in 2012, by Sebastien Loeb. Four time NZRC historic champion, Marcus van Klink, will step away from the class next year and move into the open two-wheel drive class with a freshly built Mazda RX-8. The new car features a 20B triple rotor engine, six speed sequential gearbox and MCA suspension, all wrapped in a large amount of carbon fibre. For new New Zealand Rally Champion, David Holder (pictured below), the Mahindra Goldrush Rally Coromandel ended an astounding run. It was the first event of his career he had finished without standing on the podium. Rally Coromandel saw record crowds out spectating on the day, with several spectators getting to some of the more remote spots via helicopter in a service put together by regular competitor, Shannon Chambers, who missed the event after selling his VW Polo. Rally Coromandel also saw the final round of the new Group A Challenge, which was taken out by Matt Adams, son of former national champion Paul. Not only was Paul on hand to see the win, but Matt’s grandfather and children were also on event, completing a four generation support team. Second place went to Simon Bell, with third going to Phil Collins. New special stages with excellent viewing choices, worldwide live television coverage, greater local support and a more open fight for the FIA World Rally Championship look set to make the <strong>2016</strong> Kennards Hire Rally Australia the best in the event’s 25-year history. The event on the New South Wales Coffs Coast from November 17-20 will welcome top manufacturer teams from Europe and the best competitors from around Australia to tackle a 315 kilometre course comprising 23 special stages designed to challenge the world’s fastest rally drivers. Chairman Ben Rainsford said everything was set for another successful event. “Every year since we came to the Coffs Coast in 2011, Rally Australia has grown in popularity, partner support and organisational and presentation standards. Last year, it generated a $14.3 million boost to the regional economy,” Mr Rainsford said. “Our new Destination NSW Super Special Stage – at the Jetty precinct literally alongside Coffs Harbour – other special stage enhancements including the exciting Flooded Gum spectator point on the final stage, and truly spectacular opening and closing ceremonies will all be highlights for our ticket holders. “WRC TV’s live coverage of the Friday Jetty super special and two passes through Wedding Bells on Sunday, plus its daily wrap shows and news feeds, will showcase the region to a massive audience.” While most of the competition roads to the north and south of the Coffs Harbour base are unchanged from 2015, organisers have added a second Super Special Stage at Raleigh, a 1.37km sprint at a multi-motorsports facility 20km south of Coffs Harbour on the Pacific Highway. Adult tickets to the Raleight stage will be just $10 and sold only at the gate. At nine spectator points across the course, event ticket holders will see stunning up-close action from the world’s fastest rally drivers. Two-for-one spectator deal Kennards Hire Rally Australia are offering a fantastic “buy one, get one free” deal for tickets to the Super Special Stage of the World Rally Championship round in November. The exciting new stage will be held on the Coffs Harbour foreshore on the Friday and Saturday night of the event, featuring the WRC’s biggest stars, including Sebastien Ogier, Jari-Matti Latvala and Hayden Paddon. Tickets are just $30 per person, with a bonus ticket thrown in free of charge. The offer is available from now until November 1, with tickets available from www.ticketek.com.au Photo: Geoff Ridder 12 | RALLYSPORT MAGAZINE - SEPTEMBER <strong>2016</strong>
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