Motorsport: Revamped rally revved for start

The Hella Pohe Island Super Special Stage under lights will open the 2015 International Rally of Whangarei. Photo / Euan Cameron

A revamped International Rally of Whangarei will kick-start the 2015 rally season when Whangarei plays host to the opening round of the 2015 FIA Asia Pacific Rally Championship and the first round of the 2015 New Zealand Rally Championship.

The 2015 International Rally of Whangarei will race into action on the evening of April 17 with a pre-rally display, rally start and two runs of the Hella Pohe Island Super Special Stage.

The opening's activities will get under way at 5pm with the entire field of cars assembling in the start area on Whangarei's Te Matau a Pohe bridge.

A star field of the best drivers from around the region is set to contest the event.

rally sensation Ken Block headlines the international visitors with New Zealand's best rally drivers including Richard Mason, Ben Hunt, Emma Gilmour and Alex Kelsey expected to race for national championship honours.

Block, an American rally star and self-proclaimed "Hoonigan", is one of the most well-known competitors currently involved in motorsport in the world as a result of his exploits in the World Rally Championship, Global Rallycross series and his Gymkhana series of online videos.

Rally fans will be able to get up close to the cars and stars before the official opening of the event at 6pm.

All crews will complete two runs of the Super Stage, racing for the fastest time over the gravel course.

The 1.25km course snakes its way through the William Fraser Memorial Park via sweeping corners, hairpin bends, and under the overbridge, providing several prime viewing positions.

Laurie Brenssell, chairman of the International Rally of Whangarei organising committee, is excited "to have all of the evening's activity located in one area.

"Throughout the evening, fans will be able to see the cars up close, meet the drivers, grab an autograph and afterwards enjoy seeing the cars in action."

The rally action will head up north after the opening night in Whangarei for eight special-stages on Northland's fast-flowing, cambered roads.

The final leg of the rally will then head south of Whangarei for a further six stages with a total of 282km of competitive stages being covered over the event's entirety.