Motorsport: More spectacular rally on the cards in 2014

Hayden Paddon touches down at the Hella Bridge in last year's International Rally of Whangarei. Photo/Ron Burgin

Organisers of the 2014 International Rally of Whangarei are promising a challenging new format for competitors contesting the two-day event, including a night stage.

Incorporating a mix of new roads and old favourites, the revised schedule will include a visit to the William Fraser Memorial Park on Pohe Island - at night. The Hella Pohe Island special stage will be run under lights and features several prime spectator viewing points including the adjacent motorway bypass bridge.

"Final stages of planning are underway for this special spectator event, with the cars starting slowest to fastest at 30-second intervals, running two times around the circuit to provide great racing," event spokesman Willard Martin said.

To be held from April 11 to 13, the rally is set to attract a strong field of teams from New Zealand, Asia, Australia and Europe for the opening round of the FIA Asia Pacific Rally Championship and the Brian Green Property Group New Zealand Rally Championship.

The event starts with the traditional rally show and ceremonial start at the Cameron Street Mall in the centre of Whangarei on Friday evening. The following morning, competitors will head north of Whangarei to a loop of all new stages, starting with Otakairangi (15km), Pipiwai (32km), and Marlow (20km).

"The new roads to the north of Whangarei are in fantastic condition, with a great mix of twisting valley climbs and descents, then fast-flowing plains. They are real driver's roads and will take some mastering," Martin said.

A return to Whangarei at midday to the events central service park at the Quayside Town Basin provides access for the public to view the cars and crews up close. The teams of mechanics and engineers will make adjustments and running repairs within a time limit, making the service park a major area of activity in central Whangarei during rally weekend.

The afternoon's competition includes a repeat of two of the morning stages (Otakairangi and Pipiwai), followed by another new test at Tapui that uses 20kms of winding gravel road.

An early start from Whangarei on Sunday will see teams head to classic New Zealand rally stages including Brooks (13kms) which finishes at the jump over the railway bridge, a photographer and spectators favourite.

The rally will be round one of the 2014 New Zealand domestic Top Half Rally Series.