Class podiums likely for Kiwis at Rally New Zealand

Talented New Zealand rally drivers are likely to do the country proud when they line up against international competitors in next month’s Rally New Zealand.

Running from 6 to 9 May from its Auckland base, Rally New Zealand counts as a round of two important global competitions, the Production car World Rally Championship (PWRC) and the Super 2000 World Rally Championship (SWRC), both feeder series to the top level FIA World Rally Championship.

“The PWRC sees both local and international teams contesting the same category of turbocharged two-litre, four-wheel-drive production, or Group N, rally cars,” says Chris Carr, chairman of Rally New Zealand.

“So top Kiwis like Hayden Paddon, Emma Gilmour and Richard Mason are on an equal footing with international competitors, and we can expect to see this category fiercely contested as the New Zealanders look to demonstrate their talents on this global stage,” says Carr.

“Taking nothing away from the internationals, the standard of the Kiwi drivers is right up there and we have a very real possibility of New Zealanders securing some or all of the PWRC podium positions.

“Richard Mason, from Masterton, has finished second in PWRC twice before, and third once, so he’ll be gunning for the top step.

“Hayden Paddon and his full PWRC campaign this season – the first Kiwi since the late Possum Bourne to enter the full series – will see the young Geraldine driver ultra determined to do well in this important second tier series in front of global rally teams.

“Don’t discount Emma Gilmour either. Currently ranked as the best female rally driver in the world after finishing runner-up in last year’s FIA Asia Pacific Rally Championship, Emma is absolutely focused on securing further international competition by doing well in Rally New Zealand. Expect some intense action and high interest in this class!”

International competitors using the same specification of car – either Mitsubishi Lancer EVO or Subaru Impreza WRX STI models – include former PWRC champion Toshi Arai, from Japan, and for the first time, a Mexican driver, Michel Jourdain Jnr who has also driven NASCAR and Indycar.

“Also expected to attract considerable media attention, especially in China, as the first Chinese team to enter the PWRC, the Shanghai FCACA team, which brings their lead driver Rui Wang to New Zealand for the first time.”

Kingsley Thompson, from Kerikeri, is another New Zealander entered in the PWRC field, which totals 13 and includes drivers from far-flung locations such as Argentina, Spain, Lebanon, and the Czech Republic.

Complementing the PWRC field as a second tier to the top WRC competitor is the new technical category called Super 2000, on which the 2011 World Rally Cars will be based. This class features in Rally New Zealand for the first time in 2010 and, within the class, there are two competitions: the FIA Super 2000 World Rally Championship for Drivers (SWRC) and the FIA WRC Cup for Teams (WRC Cup).

Seven international Super 2000 crews have entered the New Zealand event with Skoda, Ford and Fiat the marques represented in this new category, says Carr.

“These cars are based on popular, naturally-aspirated road cars, but feature extended modifications, such as the addition of a 4WD transmission. The engines produce around 280 brake horsepower and 260 Nm of torque.”

After Super 2000 rounds in Sweden, Mexico and Jordan, the SWRC leader-board is currently headed by Spain’s Xevi Pons (Ford Fiesta). Both Pons and Czech Republic’s Martin Prokop (Ford Fiesta) are contesting the New Zealand event, along with former PWRC champion Nasser Al-Attiyah from Qatar (Skoda Fabia). All three have competed here before in PWRC cars. Pons was formerly a driver for the Subaru WRC team and is remembered for his spectacular crash on the 2007 event which was captured on live television.

“Of note in the SWRC class is Andorran driver Albert Llovera. An Olympic downhill skier, Albert was injured in a skiing accident and now has his car adapted with hand controls for the throttle, brake and clutch. Albert is the only competitor in New Zealand with a new Fiat Abarth Grande Punto S2000 model and says it’s possible to still go very fast!”

“One New Zealand entrant is using a Super 2000 car: Aucklanders Dave Strong and co-driver Bruce McKenzie are making the WRC debut of their older model Ford Fiesta S2000.”
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