Targa Rally Hawke's Bay delayed as organisers accept it can't go ahead in May

The event was originally scheduled for May 16-17 but due to the pandemic it has been delayed with a proposed date change to July 4-5. Photo / Warren Buckland

Hawke's Bay's Targa Rally event has been postponed until at least July as coronavirus claims its latest sporting victim.

The event was originally scheduled for May 16-17 but due to the pandemic it has been delayed with a proposed date change to July 4-5.

Targa NZ managing director Peter Martin said the group had been in contact with the region's various councils on how to proceed with the event.

"With that in mind we recognise that trying to run Targa Hawke's Bay in May as originally scheduled is now no longer possible."

Martin said there will need to be a few health and safety changes to the processes around upcoming and future events.

These include hand sanitisers and information about personal hygiene, reducing the potential for gatherings by having a written drivers briefing rather than a mass gathering in a room, staggered documentation to minimise crowds, bigger service areas and perhaps no longer providing lunches or prizegiving dinners.

"We could also run the competition cars at two-minute intervals and run the tour in smaller groups to spread them," he said.

"There are also a number of other ways we can adjust the event to minimise your concerns."