International Rally of Whangarei 15 - 17 July 2011

Media statement

13 July 2011

International Rally of Whangarei supports local communities

Giving something back to the communities which support this week's International Rally of Whangarei, where drivers from New Zealand and around the Asia Pacific compete on gravel roads through the Kaipara and Whangarei districts, is an important aspect of the event for organisers.

Seven community clubs are involved with the highly-regarded international rally, providing volunteers as safety marshals and other services such as catering and parking facilities. Groups from Paparoa, Whangarei Mid Western and Kamo Lions Clubs, the Maungaturoto Rotary Club, Maungaturoto St John's Ambulance and Marohemo Hall, the Maungaturoto Country Club and Kaipara Hunt Club are involved.

Jim Rowlands, chairman of the combined Maungaturoto groups who work together as a co-operative, says they welcome the international event as another opportunity for fundraising for various community projects. In exchange for volunteers' time, the International Rally of Whangarei distributes a share of spectator ticket sales to the community groups.

"It all goes back in to the community for various things," says Rowlands. "Some will go into schools and play centres, some to our local St John's Ambulance, for example. The Paparoa Lions are using their funds to further develop a local bush walk. The Maungaturoto Country Club is using funds to develop facilities for their bowls, rugby and other sports clubs.

"It's a good opportunity to raise money from around the district. That's a big thing. And to have drivers like Hayden Paddon here - he's been doing so well internationally - along with other top Kiwis; it helps recruit volunteers - it really does. And being an international event adds a bit of zing and attracts more spectators which brings more revenue."

The International Rally of Whangarei, which runs from 15 to 17 July, is the fourth round of both the FIA Asia Pacific Rally Championship (APRC) and Brian Green Property Group New Zealand Rally Championship (NZRC). There is also a subsidiary event for NZRC Open, Kiwi 2, Historic Class and Clubmans' competitors. The Clubmans event, which is a round of the Top Half Rally Series, gives competitors with lower specification or older cars a way to compete for their own overall and class titles and be part of an international event.

The rally use nearly 302km of gravel roads through the Kaipara and Whangarei districts, divided into 16 special stages over the two days.

Saturday's super special stage at Pohe Island near central Whangarei is always a highlight as it incorporates the Lions Club family fun day, which gets underway at 10am. The Lions' group, led by Colin Twyman from the Lions Clubs of Whangarei and a past district governor, has run the family fun day each year that the rally has run in Whangarei.

"This year we're delighted to welcome back Doug the Digger, aka Mr Mac or Alistair McIntyre, a Kamo Lions Club member, and his friend Little Cutie, the digger," says Twyman. "There are many activities for children of all ages, a bouncy castle and other entertainment, as well as food and drinks for all the family. This year's motocross event, the Feildpower Northland 'dash for cash', has attracted the best ever field including many of New Zealand's top motocross riders such as Darryl King.

"Of course we are all perfectly positioned to catch the rally action when competitors tackle the short sprint around the Pohe Island super special stage. The first car starts the stage at 11:27am with 75 more competitors to watch blast around the short gravel track. They all return for a second run from 3:49pm.

"This year's fundraising goes towards the KidsCan raincoat appeal. Lions are partners with the KidsCan Charitable Trust to provide raincoats to disadvantaged children nationwide," says Twyman who co-ordinates the local Lions' aspect of the programme.

Entry to the Pohe Island super special stage, including the Lions Club family fun day, is $10 per adult while children are free, making it a reasonably priced day out for the entire family.

With teams coming from as far afield as India, Japan and China, Twyman believes this year's event will reach a new level of appeal with families and rally fans throughout the region. "Whangarei always benefits from the tourism boost of events such as this. I believe it's got to increase the profile of Whangarei and the wider districts through the Asia Pacific region, and to have all these overseas teams here can only be beneficial."

Tickets to Pohe Island and the Lions Club family fun day are available at the gate from the rally headquarters at Whangarei's Quayside Town Basin from Wednesday 13 July. Tickets are also available the prime spectator points on all rural stages run on Saturday and Sunday all stages. These are also $10 per adult, or buy a gold pass for $30 to access all stages, including Pohe Island. Children under 15 are free with a paying adult.

The official rally map has clear directions to all spectator points and is available free from rally headquarters, the rally supplement in the Northern Advocate published on Wednesday 13 July, or as a download from the event website www.rallywhangarei.co.nz .

ENDS/

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