Cars to be airborne over Pohe Island during International Rally of Whangārei

Cars lined up on Te Matau a Pohe for the ceremonial start of last year's International Rally of Whangārei. Photo / John Stone

A new jump will bring added excitement to the Pohe Island stage of this year's International Rally of Whangārei.

Whangārei District Council project engineer Fiona Pratt said a section of the old rally road had to be abandoned when the new carpark on Pohe Island was being developed.

"Forming a new section was a great opportunity to insert some more fun into the spectacle that this rally has become for Whangārei."

"Rally New Zealand asked us to include a jump in the new section. They provided the specification and Clements Contractors Ltd stepped up to the challenge, not only constructing the 1m-high jump and its 15m ramp up and down but also sponsoring its construction."

"Drivers will now come in from the north, fly over the newly formed jump, circle back and jump again before completing the course. We are all looking forward to this new feature."

The Rally of Whangārei runs from May 3 to 5. It is the second round of both the FIA Asia Pacific Rally Championships and the Brian Green Property Group New Zealand Rally Championship.

From 5pm on May 3, all rally cars will be on display on Te Matau ā Pohe bridge. The public will be able to see the cars up close, meet the drivers and grab an autograph.

It will be followed by the official start of the rally, and the super special stage which features the new jump.

The rest of the stages will be held north and south of Whangārei over the following two days.