Motorsport: Rally set to roar into city

Pohe Island is set to become a rally track for the day when this year's International Rally of Whangarei comes to town on May 18.

The soon to be extended sports grounds will host the Lions Club family fun day and double-run "super special stage", used to test competitors in this year's rally.

Substantial earthworks at Pohe Island since the event was held last year has improved access and spectator vantage points.

The temporary track will be used twice on the Saturday, its distance of 1.25km is a critical test for the multi-national teams who will be in Whangarei for the opening round of the FIA Asia Pacific Rally Championship.

Being run in reverse direction to past years, much of the route is new and while it will retain a number of unique features such as the hairpin by the Rock and Roll club, new corners wind the competitors under a new bridge where the road will sweep around to the flying finish.

Significant improvement by Whangarei District Council to clay cap, grass and improve the venue has provided excellent under-foot conditions where fans can move easily between areas and the on-going Lions Club family fun day activities.

Attractions on the day will include 4WD challenges, Shetland pony rides, miniature car rides, a bouncy castle, police dog obedience demonstrations and a number of food outlets.

The family fun day begins at 10am with the focus shifting to the arriving rally cars at 11.20am. Cars start the course at regular intervals and return later in the day to repeat their efforts from 3.50pm. Cost is $10 adult for the day with children under 15 free.

Spectators keen to get an early look at the cars and teams can watch the car parade through central Whangarei from 12.15pm on May 17, followed by an autograph session at the Cameron St mall from 3.30pm.

The ceremonial start begins at 4.30pm with all the competing crews and cars taking part before being parked for the night ahead of Saturday's action.

Leaving Whangarei from 8am the route takes competitors over roads around Parahi in the south-west, Waipu Caves and Brooks - including the "Hella" jump on Swamp Rd. They return to Whangarei to contest the Pohe Island super special stage before taking a 20 minute service break at the Town Basin.

The route is repeated in the afternoon with the cars returning to Pohe Island for the day's final test from 3.52pm. Following another service break the cars are then put in a secure overnight park.

Sunday begins at 6.55am and heads south through Waipu Gorge and on to Marohemo and Batley road, visiting Paparoa and Cassidy road before returning to Whangarei for a 20 minute service break.

The teams repeat the stages in the early afternoon, returning to the Quayside Town Basin for a ceremonial finish from 3.15pm.

Spectating at the start, finish and Quayside Town Basin service areas are free with access to rural viewing points costing just $10 per adult. Children under 15 are free with a paying adult and paddock parking is available at some locations for a gold coin donation.

A share of all spectator ticket revenue goes to the local community groups that help run the spectator viewing areas.

A rally map is available free from the event website www.rallywhangarei.co.nz, or in the rally insert published in the Northern Advocate on May 15.