NZ rally kicked into touch

Logistics and the Rugby World Cup look to have forced Rally New Zealand off the 2011 calendar of the FIA World Rally Championship, but that doesn't mean that the event won't be back on the 2012 and future WRC calendars.
"Since it was announced that there was a risk Rally New Zealand was to be deleted permanently from the WRC calendar, we have been working to ensure that this was not the case," said Chris Carr, chairman of the Rally New Zealand board.
The board has been in constant contact with WRC promoters North One Sport over recent weeks and, while they had been allocated a date for 2011, it was in the middle of the Rugby World Cup in NZ, and it was not feasible.
"The WRC calendar is heavily influenced by the logistics of moving all of the teams and equipment around the world, and a significant portion of the equipment is shipped by sea. The shipping schedules dictated an event in September or October 2011. We had no desire to conflict with the RWC and had to decline those dates," Carr said.
Dates were then looked at on either side of the WRC, but again, struck issues such as access to key venues like Queens Wharf.
"NZ is still listed as a reserve event for 2011, but the logistics reduce the likelihood of that occurring. Of course it's disappointing but all is not lost and our efforts will now be applied to ensuring a workable date on the 2012 WRC calendar. In the meantime, we celebrate the 40th running of Rally New Zealand in 2010 by making sure this year's event is run to the highest possible standard to ensure that we retain our place in 2012," Carr said.
The best thing fans can do to is to show their support for Rally New Zealand and their desire to see the event back in NZ at the earliest possible opportunity, and get out to watch the 2010 event, Carr says.
There are prime spectator points around the Whangarei, Kaipara, Franklin, North Waikato and Franklin districts to view racing. Before the event gets under way from May 6-9, people can go to Sky City in Auckland on Sunday, for a driver autograph signing session.
"Our event is highly-regarded. It has considerable value to NZ in terms of international profile and we continue to talk with all parties as we work towards a suitable date in 2012," Carr said.