It may be well over a year away but organisers of the Vintage Car Club of New Zealand international rally being held in Wanganui have hit the ground running.
This week they unveiled an online registration form, created by local web company Kiwiwebs.
Ed Boyd, publicity officer for the rally, said the company's involvement was indicative of the interest the rally had already created among Wanganui businesses, aware of the impact the international event will have for a 12-day period early in 2012.
The rally is expected to attract about 1000 rare and highly prized vintage vehicles, with about a fifth of those coming from overseas. Organisers reckon it will generate a $12 million economic bonus for the city and district.
Mr Boyd said vintage car enthusiasts were now able to register for the rally online but hard copy registration forms were also available.
"One Australian contingent has already booked out the Collegiate School hostel for the rally and some of the Girls' College hostel, and a number of motels have been taken up by Canadian visitors coming here," he said.
"We are budgeting for 800 entrants but we're confident of getting 1000."
Mr Boyd said the Wanganui Chronicle had the honour of being the very first entry. During the rally the Chronicle will have its own vintage vehicle - a multi-seat charabanc - running on each of the rally days.
"Someone is providing the vehicle and the Chronicle is paying a little bit in terms of costs of running it," he said.
Kiwiwebs is doing all the online work for the rally organisation and Mr Boyd said the dollar support from the company was phenomenal.
"What they're providing for us is unbelievable and they're charging us minimal dollars to do so." Mr Boyd said people needed to understand that the international rally was going to be a huge event in the city.
"You have to imagine what the city's going to be like, with 1000 vintage vehicles in the city for those 12 days," he said.
The website address is www.vccrally2012.com. The local organisers have secured a very special post office box number - 2012.
City rallies round vintage cars
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