The world’s best rally drivers head down-under for Brother Rally New Zealand in 2012 with the June event providing a primarily gravel road challenge for the seventh round of the FIA World Rally Championship.
The 42nd running of Rally New Zealand will mark the first time Kiwi fans get to see their very own world rally champion Hayden Paddon in competition since his history-making Production World Rally Championship title win in 2011. Paddon's only Kiwi event in 2012 will see him contest the PlaceMakers/Giltrap Group Skoda Fabia in the Super 2000 WRC category. Also eight-time world rally champion, Sebastién Loeb will also be welcomed back to Auckland as one of the greatest drivers the sport has ever known. Loeb has won Rally New Zealand just twice previously. Even if he can add another Kiwi trophy to his haul in 2012, he won’t catch four-time winners Carlos Sainz and Marcus Grönholm – this time around.
With more vehicle manufacturers again seeing the value of proving their vehicles’ abilities on the great variety of events that comprise the World Rally Championship, New Zealand’s motorsport faithful can expect to see a fantastic line-up of current spec WRC cars from Citroën, Ford, Mini and Skoda. Subaru and Mitsubishi will also be well presented in the production category with Brother Rally New Zealand counting as a round for the two WRC feeder series: the Super 2000 World Rally Championship and the Production World Rally Championship.
Brother Rally New Zealand is also the biggest event of the year for Kiwi competitors. As the fourth round of the Brian Green Property Group New Zealand Rally Championship, powered by Brother, the three-day event plays a major role in determining the 2012 New Zealand rally champion. Will it be Richard Mason for a historic fourth time or another of the many talented drivers from around the country?
Honouring one of New Zealand’s best loved and most successful rally drivers, the event also features a subsidiary field for the Possum Bourne Memorial Rally competitors who have the option of contesting one, two or all three days.
With the rally headquarters and service park located at the Vidauct Events Centre on Auckland’s waterfront, the 2012 running of Brother Rally New Zealand showcases an array of iconic Kiwi scenery. When the rally action taking place on roads throughout the Northland, Auckland and Waikato regions is viewed by the approximately 50 million passionate rally fans around the world, it’s easy to see that this event profiles New Zealand in a unique and special way.
For all that it’s a long way for WRC drivers and teams to travel, they agree that Brother Rally New Zealand is one of the best-run events on the WRC calendar and that they love driving on our roads. The sweeping series of cambered corners on generally smooth, hard-packed gravel roads traversed at breakneck speeds – these are the stuff of rally drivers’ dreams!
In 2012 Brother Rally New Zealand offers fans numerous opportunities to watch world-class rally action and meet drivers and teams. Spectator viewing points feature on virtually every stage across the three days and, around central Auckland, fans can head to the service park to watch the WRC team technicians in action, catch the excitement of the opening and closing ceremonies and listen to top drivers being interviewed at the end-of-day press conferences at the Viaduct Events Centre.
Details about spectator viewing locations, maps, ticket prices and merchandise, news and events are available on the Brother Rally New Zealand website which is updated on a regular basis. Sign up for the free fan newsletter and follow the event on Facebook and Twitter.
+ FAMILY DAY = 17th June - FREE entry at the Viaduct Events Centre, Auckland. Come along with all the family for WRC Rally Driver Signing; Mania Kids Scooter Rally with great prizes up for grabs. Rock wall climbing, giveaways and more . . . Sunday is funday at the Viaduct Events Centre. 10am start!
