Motorsport: Dates confirmed for NZ rally

Rally New Zealand has been allocated a May slot in next year's World Rally Championship (WRC).

FIA, the world governing body for motorsport, has confirmed that Rally New Zealand will return as part of the 2010 WRC calendar on May 7-9.

Rally New Zealand has been a round of the WRC since 1977. It was last run in 2008, before being removed from the calendar this year as part of the FIA's policy to rotate events between countries on a biennial basis.

Whether or not that policy will continue beyond 2010 is yet to be decided.

Rally New Zealand chairman Chris Carr today said the earlier slot - August has been customary - should mean better road conditions for the event.

RNZ route planner Willard Martin said the May date was ideal, with excellent road conditions before the winter rains.

"Last year in August we had rain bombs and major slips to contend with. Hopefully with the better weather in May, we will attract even more spectators to watch the world's rallying stars in action," Martin said.

Carr said planning would now begin in earnest for the event, and for other local motorsport events around Rally New Zealand.

- NZPA