Rally benefits will motor on

Autograph hunters Caitlin Reed (left) and Grace Calder, met up with international co-drivers Nicola Arena and Alex Gelsomino in a break between stages of the Whangarei International Rally. Photo / John Stone

The International Rally of Whangarei may have roared into town and sped off again but the tills and financial benefits of the three-day event will keep on ringing for some time.

It is tipped the rally may have boosted the local economy by $7.5 million but the continued benefits of international exposure through the media to more than one billion people around the world is worth far more.

According to former New Zealand rally driver Eugene Childs - with more than 30 years' rally experience - the Whangarei rally was touted among the world's top international drivers as having the best rally roads on the circuit.

Childs, now living in Brisbane, was in Whangarei to help drivers competing in the first round of the FIA Asia Pacific Rally Championship.

He had been to major rallies in New Caledonia, Australia, Japan, China, Malaysia, India and Thailand but the Whangarei event topped the list.

"The hospitality of the community in Whangarei is outstanding," Mr Childs said. "Having the service centre so close to town is an added bonus.

"The roads are the best rally roads in the world. The mix of gravel roads, bends and road contours allows the drivers to get into a good rhythm."

He estimated there were 1500 rally drivers and associated crew and they would spend about $100 a day over five days. Add that to money spectators from outside the area would spend and the event would generate about $7.5 million.

Located alongside and over the Pohe Island Super Stage, rally fans were able to get up close to the cars and stars.

One of the sport's rock stars Ken Block was so enamoured with the stage he stopped on the bridge, took a photo and tweeted it to the world, scoring 50,000 hits - so far.

"The benefits of that exposure for Whangarei will continue for a while - with the television coverage to more than a billion people around the world," Mr Childs said.

Whangarei Mayor Sheryl Mai was on hand to give rally organisers, drivers, crew and spectators an enthusiastic welcome to the 9th annual International Rally of Whangarei.

"Our sports enthusiasts love the competition, our car lovers get to see some pretty extreme motors, our retailers appreciate the dollars spent throughout the event, and our tourist operators are overjoyed that the rally is broadcast to more than one billion people around the world," she said.

"We already know that media coverage of sporting events like international tournaments and rallies showcase the district to millions across the globe.

"While many of those watching TV in other countries will not come to the event, it may prompt people to add Whangarei to their itinerary."