Auckland City Council - City Scene

The 29th Rally of New Zealand, this country's round of the FIA World Rally Championship officially starts from the American Express New Zealand Cup Village at Viaduct Harbour tomorrow, Thursday July 15 at 5pm.

During the day the 87 specially prepared rally cars will assemble in front of Skycity at 12 noon, before parading up Queen Street to Aotea Square for a two hour display.

The cars and drivers will move to the island at Viaduct Harbour - prior to the ceremonial start by Mayor of Auckland, Christine Fletcher - then travel along Quay Street and Tamaki Drive before heading to Manukau City for the day's racing, via Greenlane.

The cars will return to the Cup Village in Halsey Street each evening for servicing.

"This is the biggest car rally we have seen in this country, with more cars, more works teams, more drivers and countries represented," says City Promotions Manager, Phil Briars.

"We have 15 countries represented, with 34 entries from New Zealand including Possum Bourne in a Subaru Impreza.

"The winner of last year's Rally New Zealand, Carlos Sainz will drive a Toyota Corolla WRC and highly ranked Scotsman Colin McRae will also compete in one of the new Ford Focus WRC cars."

spectacular and competitive driving in the 26 stages of the rally.

"There is huge worldwide interest in the rally, through a number of TV networks and the internet to more than 100 countries.

"Auckland will be well and truly in the international limelight."

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