Motorsport: History to be made

Monster World Rally Team driver Ken Block was among a slew of big names on a reconnaissance of the rally's Northland route yesterday that included a stop-over in Paparoa for lunch.

The 44-year-old American and co-founder of DC shoes is competing in this weekend's Brother Rally New Zealand. On Saturday the rally will pass through Whangarei and Kaipara using roads from Maungaturoto in the south to Pukehuia in the north.

Rally car enthusiasts will watch the likes of Frenchman Sebastien Loeb and co-driver Daniel Elena, Spanish Daniel "Dani" Sordo, Norwegian Petter Solberg of Ford World Rally Team, and Kiwi rally stars Hayden Paddon, Richard Mason and Chris West.

The closest the public can get to the drivers is during a 15-minute service stop at 12.30pm on Saturday at the Laurie Hall Park. This year's event is a milestone in motorsport history as the 500th round of the World Rally Championship (WRC).

After finishing in Northland about 4pm on Saturday, the teams return to Auckland for the evening halt, before the final stages run over roads in the Komokoriki area on Sunday.

But the event hasn't excited accommodation providers in Whangarei who fear the weather may keep spectators at home.

David Cox, owner of Whangarei's only five-start Hotel, Lodge Bordeaux, said car rallies did not attract huge crowds.

"It's not like a rugby match. If they [spectators] have to stand in rain and watch the rally, then they won't be interested," he said.

Avenue Heights' Hotel owner Allan Forest said none of his customers for this weekend has anything to do with watching or participating in the rally.

"Last year, we did get two competitors with their crews and their cars staying here but this year I think the weather will play a part," he said.

Settlers' Hotel is providing lunch to team Proton during the service stop and owner Rick Codlin said a couple of drivers have indicated they would stay at his hotel after the race.

"It's a fleeting visit this year and I don't think it will have a huge impact on the business community in Northland."

Since the inaugural event held in Monte Carlo in 1973, the WRC has become the holy grail for drivers and manufacturers seeking dominance in the Federation Internationale de L'Automobile (FIA) regulated series. As well as the international contingent of 14 WRC cars, there are 14 in the Super 2000/ Production World Rally Championship category (SWRC/PWRC) that includes Geraldine's Hayden Paddon in the S2000 Skoda Fabia. A further 16 teams round out the field, of which 11 are contesting the fourth round of the Brian Green Property Group New Zealand Rally Championship, powered by Brother.