Whakatāne’s The Strand will receive a direct injection of turbocharged energy in October with the ceremonial start of Rally Bay of Plenty.

The motorsport rally, sponsored by Battery Town, is the fifth event in the North Island Rally series. The event has been hosted in Whakatāne for several years, with most of the staged races being held around the district.

This year, the rally is being held on Saturday, October 31, with a ceremonial starting event on the Friday between 3pm and 7pm.

This is a chance for the public to meet the competitors, get up close to the rally cars and soak up the atmosphere before the rally begins.

This is the first year that Whakatāne’s main street, The Strand, will close for the event’s ceremonial start and finish. In previous years, both were held at the back of town on Kakahoroa Drive.

Whakatāne's The Strand will receive a direct injection of turbocharged energy in October with the ceremonial start of Rally Bay of Plenty.

Whakatāne District Council has agreed to close The Strand, between the Quay Street-George Street roundabout and Commerce Street, between 3pm and 7pm on both days of the rally.

A report to the council said the event organisers had consulted with council-supported, business-led promotions group Epic Town Centre in March about holding the ceremony on The Strand, and Epic supported the idea.

Races will be staged on unsealed roads throughout the district, including Stanley Rd, Wainui Rd, Pokairoa Rd and Galatea Rd, and McIvor, Matahī, Rendall, Manawahe and Campbell roads near Manawahe.

Roads will be inspected before and after the rally and a bond paid to cover any repair work required.

The rally will also include roads in the Rotorua Lakes District and the Western Bay of Plenty District.

The report said the rally showcased the Whakatāne District in a positive light, regionally and nationally, demonstrating the towns’ ability to host well-managed events and supporting the council’s objectives around economic development and activation of public spaces.

The event organisers have engaged with residents and businesses affected by the road closures and will manage traffic and cover other expenses associated with the event.

An economic impact report by Rally Bay of Plenty said that, beyond the sporting spectacle, the event was expected to bring about 500 people to the region, including some of New Zealand’s top rally competitors and teams, with officials and volunteers, spectators and media.

Visitor spending and bed nights, with fundraising opportunities for community groups and investment in local services and goods for the event itself, are expected to benefit the region by about $285,000.

The report said the event also generates national exposure for Bay of Plenty through media coverage, photography, video and digital media that showcases the region to audiences across New Zealand.

Council staff have received support from local police and NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) regarding the proposed road closures.

Rally Bay of Plenty has put together a Local Business Guide to help businesses get the most out of the event, including rally-themed displays and promotions, showing a livestream of the events on screens and extending trading hours during the opening.

The council’s projects and services committee chairman, Andrew Iles, said the event was a lot of fun.

“When I was deputy mayor they called me in to start the race. I loved it and to see it come on to The Strand will give it an even better presence. Hopefully, they have good weather for it, so the public do get out to see the cars and meet the drivers.”

LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.