About the event
The International Rally of Whangarei
The FIA Asia Pacific Rally Championship (APRC) is one of the premier regional championships in world rallying and is contested by teams from New Zealand, Australia, Japan, Malaysia, India, and New Caledonia running primarily Group N, or production, rally cars.
In 2010 for the third time the FIA Pacific Cup is running alongside the APRC at Rounds 3, 4, & 5. The Pacific Cup is intended as a stepping stone to full APRC competition. An Asian Cup runs at other APRC Rounds.
In 2010 the APRC comprises seven rounds:
- Malaysian Rally, 24-25 April
- Rally Hokkaido (Japan), 22-23 May
- International Rally of Whangarei (New Zealand), 3-4 July
- Rally Queensland (Australia) 31July-1 August
- Rallye de Nouvelle Caledonie, 28-29 August
- Rally Indonesia, 25-26 September
- China Rally, 6-7 November
The International Rally of Whangarei incorporates the second round of the MotorSport New Zealand-sanctioned Vantage Aluminium Joinery New Zealand Rally Championship (NZRC) where local teams who use Group N cars compete internally for NZRC points and against international competitors for the overall event title. A subsidiary event for NZRC Open and Kiwi 2 competitors and Clubmans competitors runs in conjunction with the main international event. Kiwi 2 is a New Zealand-only class allowing development competitors to compete in the full NZRC without the cost of the top class. The Clubmans event gives competitors with lower specification or older cars a way to compete in their own overall and class battles and be part of an international event without the cost of full international competition.
The event commences with an opening ceremony commencing at 5pm on Friday 2 July with the following two days comprising over 280 km of competitive gravel stages in the Whangarei and Kaipara districts to the south of Whangarei.
The International Rally of Whangarei is run by Rally New Zealand.
APRC Updates
APRC and World Rally Championship share same route
Both the WRC Rally of New Zealand and the APRC Rally of Whangarei will share the same roads, giving locals a double dip of international competition, this article from the Northern Advocate newspaper more...
Paddon prepares for Pirelli Star Driver training in Europe
Hayden Paddon's quest for success in this year's Production World Rally Championship starts with a Pirelli Star Driver training programme in Edinburgh, Scotland on 14 March. more...
Facebook page for International Rally of Queensland
The International Rally of Queensland has a new Facebook Page full of information and latest news "Errol and Brian have been out checking the course and all reports are that the roads are in great condition more...