Coromandel's motorsport fans, gearheads and fanatics have only two months wait until Rally New Zealand races back to the Peninsula.

The Thames-Coromandel District Council says returning to the peninsula for its second year in a row will be the Mahindra Goldrush Rally of Coromandel which takes place on Saturday, August 22.

Rally driver Ben Hunt during the 2014 VINZ Goldrush Rally of Coromandel. Vehicle manufacturer Mahindra will sponsor the 2015 event. Photo: Geoff Ridder/File

It will be the fifth round of the Brian Green Property Groups NZ Rally Champs and will feature up to 60 cars vying for pole position.

'We're so pleased to host Rally NZ for another year,” says Thames-Coromandel District Council Mayor Glenn Leach. 'The feedback we have received from organisers was that the drivers loved the route and the hospitality shown by the Coromandel community.”

Friday night before the rally, the Whitianga Events Trust and the Mercury Bay Business Association will host a ceremonial start down Blacksmith Lane in Whitianga, from 3pm to 6pm.

Blacksmith Lane will be closed for this event which features autograph signing sessions, bike races and activities, plus races cars and crews on display and around to meet the public.

On behalf of council Glenn thanks both the trust and business association for organising the fun evening events ahead of the Saturday rally.

'We want to thank the community for their goodwill and support in allowing the Rally to happen in our District," adds Glenn. 'Last year this event was televised on TV3's Sunday Motorsport programme, which is one of the top rating programmes with a huge viewing audience.

'The programme included several minutes of footage showcasing the Coromandel, which is a huge tourism boost for our District.

'We also saw with the Rally here for the first time last year, an economic boost to our local businesses.”

RACE ROUTE

On the Saturday morning rally teams will depart from Mercury Bay Sports Park for nine special stages covering close to 140km of competitive distance. Those stages are:

Stage 1: From Ernslaw 1 (11.08km) just outside of Whitianga.

Stage 2: A tour down the coastline, through the 309 Road and a race against the clock for the first Service of the day back at the Mercury Bay Sports Park.

Stage 3: 23kms of Tapu–Coroglen, starting at the Coroglen side.

Stage 4: Another coastline tour north to Castle rock for the next stage, starting on the forestry road back to join the 309 Road for the second half of the stage.

Stage 5-6:Another service back at the Sports Park before a repeat of this 47 kilometre loop.

Stage 7: A spectacular tarmac publicity stage beside Whitianga Waterways.

Stage 8: A repeat of the 11.08km Ernslaw test.

Stage 9: The final stage will again be a second pass of the Whitianga spectator stage, along a section of Joan Gaskill Drive, to thrill the crowds before the finish celebrations on the finish ramp just prior to 5pm conclude the event.

Some of the stages will entail road closures during racing, which we are currently notifying residents and affected groups about.

Photo: Wayne Cockburn

ROAD CLOSURES:

Blacksmith Lane - Friday, August 21
Starting at the intersection with Albert St and finishing 250m from Albert St. Proposed closure from 3pm to 8pm.

Tapu-Coroglen Rd - Saturday August 22
Starting 3.9kms from State Highway 25 (Tapu end), and finishing at SH25 (Coroglen end). Proposed closure from 7.50am to 3.50pm.

The 309 Rd - Saturday August 22
Starting 1.3kms from SH25 (Coromandel end) and finishing 4.5kms from SH25 (Coromandel end) from 6.30am to 9.30am. Then starting 4kms from SH 25 (Coromandel end) and finishing 21kms from SH25 (Coromandel end) from 6.30am to 4pm.

Joan Gaskell Dr - Saturday August 22
Starting at SH25, and finishing 1.2km from SH25. Proposed closure from 1pm to 6pm.

DETOURS:

During the proposed periods of road closures provision will be made for ordinary vehicular traffic which would otherwise use the roads.

Tapu-Coroglen Road and the 309 Road: Detour via State highway 25 or State highway 25A (Kopu-Hikuai)

Joan Gaskell Drive: Detour via State Highway 25, Buffalo Beach Road and Albert Street to enter/exit Whitianga.

Signs advertising the road closures will also be going up in July.

For more information about the Mahindra Goldrush Rally visit: www.rallynz.org.nz