Special spectator train for day one of Rally New Zealand

Rally fans can enjoy a unique day of rally viewing onboard a specially chartered train on Friday 7 May for the first day of Rally New Zealand, which is the fifth round of the 2010 FIA World Rally Championship running from 6 to 9 May.

The ‘Rally Rail Spectator Special’ is run by the Railway Enthusiasts Society and offers fans the chance to see rally stars in action on four competitive stages north of Auckland on the day-long trip.

Paul Mallard, general manager of Rally New Zealand, is delighted to have the rally train as another great option for spectators in 2010.

“The train was hugely popular in the few years it ran when Rally New Zealand used stages north of Auckland prior to 2006, the event’s first year based in Hamilton,” says Mallard.

“Now the event is again based in Auckland, the train tour is again possible for the Friday of Rally New Zealand and we’re very pleased that Alan Verry and the Railway Enthusiasts Society have put together a rally rail tour for 2010.

“It’s an early start and a long day, but from all the feedback we’ve had, it’s an enormously fun day. The sites selected for viewing are excellent and include Hella Bridge, one of the best places to see competitors cross the humped bridge at high speed – take your camera!

“The train provides a great alternative for groups of family and friends to enjoy some great WRC rally action without the need to drive and park.”

The special Rally New Zealand charter train, with eight carriages, departs from the new Newmarket Station at 5.30am. Making pick-up stops at Kingsland, New Lynn, Henderson, Waitakere, and Huapai, the train heads north with a breakfast stop at Helensville. It continues through the scenic north Auckland countryside to arrive at Mareretu in time for Special Stage 2 ‘Brooks 1’ at about 9:30am. The train then moves to Special Stage 4 ‘Cassidy 1’ for approximately 11am, before returning to view Special Stage 6 ’Brooks 2’ around 2pm. Special Stage 8 ‘Cassidy 2’ is viewed from a different location before the train returns to Auckland arriving approximately 9.00pm. In total, four stages, three different locations and great action to boot.

Travellers can opt for a fully-catered package, or to purchase food and drink from the train’s buffet car or bring their own food and non-alcoholic drinks onboard.

The premium fare is $250 and includes a $20 Rally New Zealand day pass, breakfast, morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner as well as tea, coffee, and fruit juice. The standard fare is $170 per person, including the day pass, and passengers can purchase a wide range of food and beverages, both hot and cold, from the buffet car and order breakfast, lunch and dinner if required. Passengers may bring their own food as they wish. Organisers note that the trip is a lengthy one and does not pass through any towns or near any shops all day. A cash bar will provide a range of beer and wine, and only alcohol purchased on the train may be consumed on the train.

Mallard adds: “We urge people to book as soon as possible to allow the train tour organisers plenty of time to co-ordinate the distribution of tickets, plan catering numbers, etc. The latest date bookings will be accepted is 21 April.”

Full details and the booking form, which is posted to the Rail Enthusiasts Society, are available to download from the spectators’ page of Rally New Zealand’s website, http://www.rallynz.org.nz/spectators.

This year Rally New Zealand features a number of pre-event activities in the first week of May, such as driver signing sessions, driver skill demonstrations and other events taking place at the rally’s home-base, SKYCITY Auckland. The WRC event officially commences with the ceremonial start on Thursday 6 May at Auckland’s Viaduct Harbour before competitors head north through the Whangarei and Kaipara districts on Friday. Saturday and Sunday’s stages are in the Franklin, North Waikato and Raglan districts with a spectacular day of action at Hampton Downs on Saturday and the jubilations and celebrations of the finish ceremony in downtown Auckland on Sunday from 3pm. More information is available on www.rallynz.org.nz.