Institute Backs Major Event Again

Media Release 3 – For immediate release

Institute Backs Major Event Again

The 2005 Hella International Rally of Rotorua, round 3 of the 2005 FIA Asia Pacific Rally Championship, will again incorporate an event for Clubman Rally competitors. Supported for the third year running by Rotorua’s Waiariki Institute of Technology, regional rally competitors in the CPS NZ Ltd Top Half Rally Series will have the opportunity to compete in their own two-day event on the same stages as the international superstars of the Asia Pacific and New Zealand Rally Championship.

The Clubman’s Rally will begin at midday on Friday 17th June with a ceremonial start at City Focus in the heart of Rotorua before competitors tackle a group of three stages in the Rotoehu and Manawahe area. After returning to the overnight parc ferme on the Rotorua Lakefront, leg 2 on Saturday incorporates classic New Zealand rally stages including the demanding Motu Road Gorge, Whakarau and Rakuaroa. These roads are considered among the best in New Zealand rallying, and while normally reserved for international competition, clubmans competitors can challenge themselves and their cars on these world-renowned stages.

The surviving competitors will then tour back to the early evening ceremonial finish and Prizegiving back at City Focus in Rotorua. The Clubmans Rally will follow the same route as the International event with the first Clubman competitor starting immediately after the International field. The international event also includes a third leg of competition before finishing at City Focus on the afternoon of Sunday July 19th.

A field of 50 cars is expected to take part in the event, which is round three of the regional championship, the CPS NZ Top Half Regional Rally Series.

Event supporters Waiariki Institute of Technology are heavily involved with the running of the event, with staff and students from the Institute, particularly its automotive department, fulfilling organisational roles within the event. The winner of the event for the past two years, Marty Roestenburg, is also a past student of the institute. Event Chairman Laurie Brenssell commented: “The Clubmans Rally is a great opportunity for regional competitors to experience a two day event, providing a training ground for many of the new and younger competitors who will move on to national and international events in years to come. The support of Waiariki Institute of Technology is therefore very fitting to this event.”

ENDS

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