See The Best Rally Action

NAC Insurance / Hella International Rally of Whangarei 06 – 08 June 2008

NAC Insurance Hella International Rally of Whangarei
Media release

30 May 2008

See The Best Rally Action

The expert’s pick of the best spectator viewing points
When the 60-plus rally cars, drivers, co-drivers and support crews hit town this week for the NAC Insurance Hella International Rally of Whangarei, rally fans have several top viewing points to choose from, according to the country’s best motorsport radio commentator Brian Kelly.

Kelly, who will provide live updates on the weekend’s rally action to the Newstalk ZB, Radio Sports and Classic Hits radio networks around the country, including Whangarei, says rally fans can get amongst the excitement and buzz in either downtown Whangarei or travel some of the region’s fantastic rural roads to see the action live on rally stages.

“The HellaBridgeon Swamp Road, northof Paparoa, is one of the iconic points on the NAC Insurance Hella International Rally of Whangarei,” comments Kelly, an award-winning motorsport reporter. “The bridge, which features in two rally stages, each run twice [Wairere, SS1 & SS5 on Saturday, and Brooks, SS9 and SS13 on Sunday], is well-known for its inclusion in the WRC Rally of New Zealand when it ran on Northland and Kaipara roads only a few years ago.”

Virtually every car in the 63-strong field will jump the bridge and keen photographers are guaranteed excellent photo opportunities.

Rally organisers have created a dedicated spectator area beside the HellaBridgewhere commentators will provide updated news and results as competitors pass.

“From this point, spectators can also take a short walk (400 metres) to see the Cassidy stage (SS3 and SS7),” says Laurie Brenssell, chairman of the NAC Insurance Hella International Rally of Whangarei organising committee. “Parking, food outlets and toilet facilities are all available, making this an easily accessible rally viewing point.”

There are eleven designated spectator points in total covering most of the rally stages outside Whangarei.

“In addition, the NACInsurancePoheIslandsuper special stage is a perfect way to involve the whole family in rallying,” says Kelly. “It’s just a couple of kilometres from the city centre and with the Lions Club family fun day on the Saturday – lots of activities, food stalls, a motocross ‘dash for cash’ and fundraising for Starship Children’s Hospital, the whole Pohe Island venue is going to be filled with action.”

Add in a ‘meet the drivers’ session at Rynoz Bar & Stonegrill in Cameron Street on Wednesday 4 June, 7pm, the central city street parade on lunchtime Friday 6 June, the ceremonial start and driver autograph session in the Cameron Street Mall from 4pm on the Friday, the ceremonial finish ramp celebrations from 3pm on Sunday 8 June, as well as opportunities to stroll around the service park in Quayside Town Basin and there are many great ways to enjoy the NAC Insurance Hella International Rally of Whangarei.

Please visit the website www.rallywhangarei.co.nz for spectator information, stage times and downloadable maps.

ENDS

Full details of the best spectator viewing points
Rally Headquarters and Service Park - Quayside Town Basin
Open: 9.00amThursday 5 June – 7:00pmSunday 8 June
Rally Headquarters is where you can purchase tickets, pick up your free maps and get rally results as they happen. The ServiceParkis a great place to watch the team’s service their cars between stages, racing against the clock to repair damage and prepare cars for the next rally stage.

Ceremonial Start & Driver Autograph Session – Cameron Street Mall
Friday 6 June
See all the Asia Pacific rally stars in the Cameron Street Mall. A driver autograph session starting 4:00pmis followed by the official opening ceremony at 5:00pm, then, at 5:30pm, the ceremonial start with all 63 entrants taking their rally cars over the start ramp with live commentary from our rally experts.

Service Park – Quayside Town Basin
Saturday 7 June: First cars into Service at 12:00noonand again at 4:45pm
Sunday 8 June: First cars into Service from 7:30am, and again at 11:00amand 2:20pm

Ceremonial Finish - Quayside Town Basin
There are two Ceremonial Finishes – one for the FRAM North Island Rally Series on Saturday 7 June from 6.00pmand a second one for the NAC Insurance Hella International Rally of Whangarei on Sunday 8 June from 3.00pm.

NAC Insurance Pohe Island Super Special Stage
Including Lions Club Family Day & Motocross ‘Dash for Cash’
This is a purpose-built rally stage of 1.5km offering ideal spectator viewing. See all cars race around the tight corners at maximum speed, providing up-close, exciting rally action. With on-site entertainment, live stage commentary, food outlets and toilet facilities, this is fantastic family environment. The NAC Insurance Pohe Island Super Special Stage is run three times, twice on Saturday and again on Sunday.

Saturday 7 June
The Lions Club Family Day is fundraising for the Starship Oncology Project. Activities for the kids include a bouncy castle, face painting and gumboot throwing. The Motocross Dash for cash in hosted by the Whangarei Motorcycle Club, and over 200 entries are expected for the sprint style, gate start course. Racing starts from 7.30amwith the finals starting at 10.00am.

First rally car starts its first run through the stage (SS4) at 11:45am, then again (SS8) at 4:30pm.

Sunday 8 June
First rally car starts through the stage (SS12) at 10:45am

How to get there: From Rally HQ at the Quayside Town Basin on Dent Street, turn right to cross the bridge into Riverside Drive and continue for 2km. Turn right into Pohe Island Drive and follow directions to parking areas.

Tickets are $10 for adults; children under 15 free. Tickets can be purchased at Rally HQ or PoheIslandfor each day.

Hella Bridge , Swamp Road, Paparoa
The famous Swamp Roadbridge features in two rally stages, SS1 & SS5 Wairere on Saturday (first car 9:18amand 2:03pm) and SS9 and SS13 Brooks on Sunday (first car 9.03amand 12.31am). Cars are likely to take air as they race full speed over the bridge. On the Saturday, it is a short walk (400m) to also see SS3 & SS7 Cassidy (10:49am and 3.34pm) so this spectator point is the ideal location to view the rally. Parking, stage commentary with regular result updates, food outlets and toilet facilities will be available.

Day passes can be pre-purchased from Rally HQ at the TownBasin, or on-site.
How to get there: From Whangarei, follow SH1 south. After 14km you cross a bridge to immediately turn right to follow “MANGAPAI PAPAROA” SIGNS. After 8.0km go left to follow “PAPAROA” for about 11km. Turn left onto Swamp Roadand follow directions for parking.
From the south, Follow SH1 to Brynderwyn where you turn left onto SH12 to Dargaville. As you enter Paparoa, turn right into Paparoa-Oakleigh Road. Head north for about 8km. Turn right into Swamp Roadand follow directions for parking.

ends

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