Peninsula pulls out stops for rally

The Coromandel Peninsula pulled out all the stops – with fantastic weather and even better hospitality – to make the first VINZ Coromandel Goldrush Rally of NZ a huge success.

Several hundred people crowded in Whitianga's Blacksmith Lane for Friday night's street party which saw a selection of the rally cars park up and competitors rub shoulders with the public.


Venita Fabbro and Phil Campbell celebrate placing second, in the first VINZ Coromandel Goldrush Rally of NZ.

The Mercury Bay Business Association organised food stalls and entertainment, which included ‘drag' races, involving a team of men dressed as women racing each other down Blacksmith Lane on quad bicycles.

Earlier in the afternoon the six winners of the Rally NZ colouring competition were treated to a ride in a rally car from Mercury Bay Area School to Blacksmith Lane.

The six children were also given a huge bag of goodies, thanks to Kim Bradley of Countdown Whitianga.

On Saturday morning with summer-like conditions, all 55 rally cars left the Mercury Bay Multi-Sport park, where the pit crews were based, to embark on 135km of twisting and demanding stages around the Coromandel, from the Tapu-Coroglen Rd, Ernslaw forest roads and the 309 Rd.

The Tauranga pairing of Phil Campbell and Venita Fabbro took out their maiden victory, finishing the event with a winning time of 17.3 seconds. To view full results, click here.

At the finishline Phil said his team is rapt with their race.

'It's a fantastic result for our team. It was a tough rally, we took a couple of stages to find a pace we were happy with, and then tried to be consistent in the afternoon.”

The Whitianga-based event is a new addition to the National Rally Championship calendar and the conditions provided a real challenge for teams.

Mercury Bay councillor Tony Fox was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to sit in the left-hand seat and race in the event.

He says it was an experience he'll never forget.

'The competitors made special mention of the street party in Blacksmith Lane, the large numbers of spectators out on the actual course and especially those present for the Special Stages in town,” says Tony.

'I heard some say that this was the biggest turn out that they had seen.

'Our Sports Park made a huge impression on the teams too. The service areas on tarmac, the grounds were in great condition and there was a lot of space in which to set the event up. Congratulations to everybody who presented the park in such good condition.”

Rally Drive's Dale Perry also gave several Mercury Bay Area School students the opportunity to work as pit crew at the sports park.

Once the race was finished a spectator sprint leg was held along Joan Gaskell Drive, which more than 300 people attended.

Thames-Coromandel Mayor Glenn Leach says t whole weekend was absolutely fantastic.

'While the competitors, teams and spectators had a brilliant experience, the work behind the scenes is what made the event such a success.

'Thanks to the Lions Club and Kuaotunu Search and Rescue for their road marshalling, along with other volunteers who helped with safety, timing, road preparation and wash downs.

'Also [thanks] to the Mercury Business Association, for their enthusiasm in arranging the street party and Whitianga Waterways for providing spectator parking for the Joan Gaskell Drive spectator leg.”

Glenn says rally organisers did a fantastic job 'and I also want to thank our council staff, who helped with all the preparation months in advance”.

'It was a truly great event and congratulations to everybody who played a part in bringing this to town and for making it the success that it was. Let's hope Rally NZ decide to come again next year.”

To view photos of the weekend on Rally NZ's website, click here.

The 2014 Brian Green Property Group New Zealand Rally Championship, driven by VINZ, now heads to the Manawatu at end of September for the final round, the Daybreaker Rally.

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