by Andr? Hueber
This weekend's International Rally of Whangarei offers spectators top viewing locations during two days of competition.
Based at Whangarei's Town Basin for the third successive year, the two-day rally features top teams from many countries contesting the third round of the FIA Asia Pacific Rally Championship.
Specially-created spectator viewing areas
will provide easy access to see the cars in action, said rally chairman Willard Martin.
"Our prime spectator points offer some extra benefits with a mix of on-site catering, live commentary and toilet facilities available at the different sites."
A day pass, granting access to either Saturday or Sunday's on-rally spectator areas and the stage start and finish control areas, costs $10 per adult with children under-15 years free.
Each day cars will use a linked group of gravel roads, once in the morning and once in the afternoon, to do 280km over 16 competition stages.
A free rally map, showing all the spectator points can be downloaded from the spectator section of the event's website, www.rallywhangarei.co.nz.
The cars and teams will take part in a parade through central Whangarei from 12.30pm tomorrow before a special New Zealand versus international on-water waka race at the Town Basin at 1.15pm.
Crews and cars are again lined up for an autograph signing session in the Cameron St mall from 4pm before the official start ceremony begins at 5pm.
Saturday's rally action sees crews depart at 8.30am from the service park alongside the Town Basin and head towards Mangapai Caves for the first of three gravel tests.
Sunday's route takes crews further south to Waipu Gorge before passing the prime spectator area in stage 10, Batley, along Bickerstaffe Rd, off State Highway 12 to Maungaturoto, at 8.20am.
To be classified as an official finisher, crews must complete the final stage 16 and return to Whangarei to cross the finish ramp.
This will see the rally cars assembled by 2.50pm to cross over the finish ramp in order, winner first, with the obligatory champagne celebrations by the various category place-getters, Mr Martin said.
"The ceremonial start in Cameron St mall on Friday evening and Sunday's official finish and prize-giving at Quayside Town Basin are free to attend and we welcome everyone to come and enjoy the cars, drivers and great atmosphere."
