As New Zealand begins to lift its coronavirus lockdown restrictions, there are hopes that international rallying could return sooner rather than later.
Construction, forestry and manufacturing was starting to get back underway on Tuesday and the nation’s Asia Pacific Rally Championship round, the International Rally of Whangarei, could be up and running in six weeks – once it gets a green light from Wellington.
Chairman of the organizing committee Willard Martin said the preparation and groundwork put in by the event made it possible to mobilize a new date quickly.
Martin said: “Even during this time of uncertainty we have a timeline for the event to be held once our government allows sport to resume in New Zealand
“Our regulations have been published and would need to be revalidated to the new date and we would also need to renew our applications to councils for road closures. Our timeline for this would be six weeks.”
Martin admitted there would need to be further discussions with the FIA regarding the event’s APRC status – world motorsport’s governing body will decide the fate of its regional series.
“Discussion by the FIA at how the remainder of the 2020 season could operate has opened a couple of options,” said Martin. “They are favourable for New Zealand and Whangarei as we have the groundwork done and support in place.
“We remain optimistic, and realistic that while the future may seem a long way off – there are some changes coming that can quickly put the current pandemic behind us. With FIA talks to resume in a month’s time, the unfolding situation gives the event time to consider a suitable date that will support the local economy at a more significant level.”
Any decision on the outcome of New Zealand’s APRC counter could have significant implications for the nation’s world championship event, scheduled to run in September.
Rally New Zealand is still scheduled for Auckland between September 3-6. The organizers have already told DirtFish they have backing confirmed and this could be transferred to a potential 2021 date in September.
