Motorsport: Dunlop to help drive New Zealand Rallying

Dunlop New Zealand have thrown their support behind New Zealand Rallying announcing a partnership to be the official tyre partner of the Brian Green Property Group New Zealand Rally Championship.

Along with being a supporting sponsor of the NZ Rally Championship (NZRC), Dunlop will provide technical and on-event support to competitors running their tyres at each of the championship's six events.

"It's fantastic to have Dunlop involved with the NZRC for 2016. They have been an iconic, long-time supporter of rallying in New Zealand and have lead the way with tyres that suit our conditions. Rally drivers all over the country know the feeling of confidence they get from bolting a set of Dunlops on before attacking a special stage," comments Simon Bell, NZ Rally Championship Co-ordinator.

Dunlop New Zealand Motorsport Manager Richard Fraser is also excited to further the brands commitment with NZ rallying.

"We have noticed that rallying is a sport that has grown well over the past few years and a lot of that has been driven from the top by the NZRC. As a brand we are very excited to be working together with the NZRC team and competitors."

As part of their commitment to the championship, the Dunlop Drive of the Rally award will be presented at each round of the 2016 championship, with each recipient receiving a set of Dunlop tyres.

"The Dunlop Drive of the Rally award is an exciting way to recognise those who are performing above expectations, or even someone that may have suffered some terrible luck which can happen in motorsport," says Fraser.

"It's a great way to recognise someone who has excelled beyond expectations and with Dunlop's support of the prize, also a way of giving something back to competitors," adds Bell.

Drivers on Dunlop tyres have dominated the New Zealand Rally Championship (NZRC) in recent years with Dunlop shod-teams winning the last seven consecutive national titles.

The 2016 Brian Green Property Group New Zealand Rally Championship sees New Zealand's top rallying teams competing across six rounds spread from Dunedin in the South to Whangarei in the North.