Motorsport: Date pencilled in for Rally NZ

Rally New Zealand has been pencilled in for November as next year's world championship schedule nears completion.

A draft version of the reshuffled World Rally Championship calendar lists New Zealand as the penultimate round from November 9-12, which could well see the 2006 champion crowned there. It comes two weeks after the Australia leg and two weeks before the final round in Wales.

The draft is subject to approval by the world governing FIA next month.

Rally New Zealand chairman Morrie Chandler would be pleased with a November event.

"Weather conditions will be good, the timing is fine for the rural community, the motorsport window is relatively uncluttered and global media will be all the more focused on what is the business end of the championship," Chandler said today.

" It sets the event up as a possible grand finale for the 2006 championship as frequently the championship is decided before the final event."

The date avoids conflict with other motorsport activities in New Zealand.

Costs to international teams has become high priority in recent years, something Morrie Chandler said was addressed with the move to November.

"The draft 2006 calendar places Japan, Australia and then New Zealand in a cluster and therefore becomes very cost effective for international teams."

Schedule:

The full 2006 World Rally Championship schedule, subject to approval by the FIA in October:

January 20-22: Monte Carlo
February 3-5: Sweden
March 3-5: Mexico
April 7-9: France
April 21-23: Argentina
May 5-7: Italy
May 19-21: Greece
August 11-13: Germany
August 18-20: Finland
September 1-3: Japan
September 22-24: Cyprus
October 6-8: Turkey
October 27-29: Australia
November 10-12: NEW ZEALAND
November 24-26: Great Britain

- NZPA