AA EnergyWise Rally takes to the road next week

Media Release: 30 October 2006

AA EnergyWise Rally takes to the road next week

The 2006 AA EnergyWise Rally kicks off next week and will cover more than 1600kms of challenging North Island roads over a four day period.

Starting next Monday November 6, New Zealand’s only car rally to promote fuel efficiency and environmental friendliness will take the cars and their crews from Auckland to Wellington and back again.

“Drivers of the 54 vehicles entered in the AA EnergyWise Rally will face some demanding driving conditions and will be tested by a mixture of North Island roads,”says Stella Stocks, AA Technical Services General Manager.

“The four day route from Auckland to Wellington takes into account city driving, twisting country roads and everything in between. The distances covered each day will be a real feat of endurance,” she says.

The Rally will start in Ellerslie, Auckland on November 6, before heading to Palmerston North via Pirongia, Otorohanga, Taumarunui, Raetihi and Wanganui. Day two - the Rally entrants will travel to Wellington where they will be officially welcomed to Parliament, after which they face the same return route, where towns along the way include Shannon, Masterton and Woodville.

The third leg is the longest and toughest day of the event, says Ms Stocks. Here, vehicles negotiate the roads in-between Palmerston North, Wanganui, Stratford, Whangamomona, Taumarunui, Whakamaru, before ending in Rotorua. On November 9, the final day, the Rally heads back to Auckland via Hamilton.

Winners of the 2006 AA EnergyWise Rally will be announced at an awards dinner held in Auckland on November 9.

“The winners for each vehicle class will be based upon the total of the pump price of the fuel used plus any relevant road user charges,” says Ms Stocks.

54 vehicles are entered into the Rally and will compete in a range of classes including – Small Cars, Compact Cars, Medium / Executive Cars, Large / Luxury Cars, Small Lifestyle / Leisure Vehicles, Large Lifestyle / Leisure Vehicles and Commercial Vehicles.

Of the 54 Rally entries, there are over 20 diesels and petrols, one LPG and two hybrids. Also included is a demonstration class where there are both biodiesel and bioethanol cars entered.

The AA EnergyWise Rally is designed to identify the most fuel efficient new cars and the most effectve fuel-saving driving techniques over a four day period. The Rally is held every two years and is organised by the AA and EECA, (the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority). Fuel is being supplied free of charge to all vehicles by Gull New Zealand Ltd.

Further information is available at www.aaenergywiserally.co.nz.

ENDS

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