Fantastic activities for Rally New Zealand fans at SKYCITY Auckland
Thursday 29 April 2010, 7:38AM
By Rally New Zealand
417 views
When Rally New Zealand, a FIA World Rally Championship event, returns to Auckland at the beginning of May, the event makes its home under Auckland’s biggest landmark, the Sky Tower at SKYCITY Auckland.
With its numerous restaurants, bars and cafés, spacious atrium and ample parking, SKYCITY Auckland hosts several pre-event activities designed to appeal to rally fans of all ages. The entertainment complex is also the venue for the rally headquarters and media centre.
“The very first opportunity for Kiwi spectators to see their rally heroes takes place at SKYCITY Auckland on Sunday 2 May, nearly a week before the rally action starts,” says Chris Carr, Rally New Zealand’s chairman.
“From 2pm until 4:30pm that Sunday, SKYCITY is the hub of pre-event rally action. All the drivers and co-drivers gather in the main atrium for a co-ordinated autograph signing session for two hours from 2pm,” says Carr.
“Then the action moves outside onto Federal Street where a very special driving skill demonstration will take place.
“With the support of Subaru of New Zealand, Ford New Zealand, and Citroën importers Ateco, road-going examples of the rally cars seen in action during Rally New Zealand will be driven by selected drivers through a tight, tarmac slalom course,” Carr says.
“We know it’s going to be hugely exciting to watch Ford WRC drivers Mikko Hirvonen and Jari-Matti Latvala up against Kiwi Subaru stars Emma Gilmour and Richard Mason, and, in the Citroën, Red Bull drifting star Mike Whiddett. ‘Mad Mike’ will also hop behind the wheel of his famous 'MADBUL 4rotor Mazda FDRX7' drift car for a brief demonstration.
“The rally autograph signing session and driving demonstration is free for all members of the public to attend, and remember Rally New Zealand and SKYCITY take the safety of spectators and patrons very seriously. Please stand in the designated areas and follow the instructions of the safety marshals.”
From Monday to Thursday, rally officials, teams and media set up their rally base at SKYCITY, then on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, during the event itself, fans can also see the drivers and cars depart and return to Parc Ferme, the secure overnight park for all rally cars, in the SKYCITY car-park.
“The return to Parc Ferme each evening offers another opportunity for fans to check out the cars close-up and catch some brief interviews by our experienced commentator with drivers as they wait to enter the park,” adds Carr.
Limited supplies of official rally merchandise and programmes will be available for sale from the Rally New Zealand secretariat at SKYCITY, with the full range available from the Repco store at the Queens Wharf Service Park.
“We wrap up the 40th anniversary Rally New Zealand with our post-event party in twentyone, SKYCITY’s premium R21 bar, just up the escalators to level three. That starts from 8pm on Sunday evening and all are welcome to join in the celebrations at the cash bar,” says Carr.
ENDS/