MOTORSPORT - New flavour as Indian team sign up

AN Indian-based entry has added yet more flavour to the International Rally of Whangarei in June, with the MRF Rally Team confirming they will be entering three cars.
The Indian team, who have previously run FIA Asia Pacific Champions Jussi Valimaki and Armin Kremer, have confirmed Australian Scott Pedder will lead their attack in the third round of the FIA Asia Pacific Rally Championship.
Pedder, who was formerly a factory driver for the Mitsubishi Australia Team, is a first time entrant in the APRC and the International Rally of Whangarei.
Joining Pedder in the team are Katsuhiko Taguchi of Japan and Guarav Gill of India, who will be making their first trip to the Whangarei event.
"The news of the MRF team joining the field for the International Rally of Whangarei is a great boost for the event," event chairman Laurie Brenssell said.
"Taguchi has vast experience in New Zealand and is a known hard-charger. Pedder has a proven pedigree in Australia and is looking to prove his speed on the international stage.
"At this early stage it is great to see so many leading competitors opting to compete in New Zealand and we expect more competitors to confirm their entry for the event in the coming weeks," general manager Paul Mallard said.
"With the route planning now complete and the event regulations undergoing final approval from the FIA, event preparations are moving well."
With the route in the Whangarei and Kaipara regions set in stone, rally organisers are now working on the detailed planning of spectator areas.
"Completing the final check of the route enables us to start looking at how to deliver the best possible vantage points to spectators," said International Rally of Whangarei route co-ordinator Willard Martin shortly after completing the final check.
"Obviously safety is paramount so we work out the best possible viewing spots by looking for areas that are safe and are capable of coping with the number of fans expected during the event.
"There is a fair amount of work done to ensure all safety measures are taken.
"We talk to safety advisers and look at all possible paths cars could take to ensure that we have spectators in safe areas."
International Rally of Whangarei organisers will continue to work closely with local authorities and residents to finalise this stage of planning.
"We have a really good relationship with both the local councils and also the local residents," said Willard Martin
"We are very fortunate that the community is so keen to get behind this event and with their support we are able to deliver a fantastic product."
The prime spectator areas for the event will be the NAC Insurance Pohe Island Superspecial stage (run twice on Saturday and once Sunday) and the famous Swamp Road Bridge will be run twice each day..
The Quayside Town Basin is home to the service park, rally headquarters and ceremonial finish, while the Cameron St Mall in the middle of Whangarei will be used for the ceremonial start.
Entries for the rally officially open in late March.