Motorsport: Local drive puts rally on map

Local support has been a driving force behind the preparation for this year's seventh International Rally of Whangarei, which takes place from May 17 to 19.

The opening round of the FIA Asia Pacific Rally Championship and second round of the Brian Green Property Group New Zealand Rally Championship features competitors from Finland, France, India, Japan, Australia and New Zealand driving a variety of cars from late model to early era Skoda, Toyota, Subaru, Mitsubishi and Ford marquees.

The event has been dominated by New Zealand's best, including three-time winner and 2011 Production World Rally Champion Hayden Paddon.

Teams compete to set fastest time across the 16 special stages totalling 288.16km, traversing rural roads through the Kaipara and Whangarei districts.

"From the Cameron St mall, use of the Quayside Town Basin carpark and buildings to Pohe Island the rally organisers in association with the Whangarei District Council work to ensure the continual success of the event," says chairman of the organising board Laurie Brenssell.

"The economic benefits of bringing several thousand visitors to the region for not just the weekend but pre-event activities in the week prior have generated a win-win in past years.

"Our offshore participants are wooed by more than the region's stunning scenery. The challenge of the region's roads and how it appears on television to the millions who see it worldwide puts more than New Zealand on the map - it's Whangarei that's in the spotlight. That keeps bringing them to our event and their spend to the Whangarei economy - across a number of sectors."

The only international championship rally event being held in New Zealand for 2013 will be shown in more than 430 million households worldwide as part of the event's TV coverage. Brenssell says the event organising office, Rally of New Zealand, constantly receives feedback from those who intend on making New Zealand a destination based on what they've seen on TV.

"Each year we host media representatives from many of the competitors' home countries, and this year we've even got a Swiss contingent who will be absorbing our culture and hospitality."

"It's those sorts of people who are lured by the event to spend time in Whangarei and be part of the experience. The council have long recognised working together keeps that tourism flame alive and helps spread the Whangarei message to a very broad audience.

"Local community contacts such as Kapa Haka group Te Puu Ao and Kamo Scouts brings real colour to the event. We're grateful for their efforts that have resulted in a better show - particularly at Friday's ceremonial start."