Excitement is already building for the Gold Rush Rally of Coromandel celebrations with rally enthusiasts asked to get colourful and creative to win a ride in a Rally NZ car around Whitianga.

To celebrate the Coromandel leg of the Brian Green Property Group New Zealand Rally Championship – Round 5 – Thames Coromandel District Council are giving one parent and child the chance to ride in one of the rally cars before the round starts.

Winners will get to have a ride in a rally car similar to this. Photo: Rallyworld JP.

The ride will take place on August 22, leading up to the two day starting on August 23.

To enter the competition children must enter the colouring competition with all entries needed by 5pm on August 11.

Entries can be emailed to Kirstin Richmond ([email protected]) or drop it in to your local area office or district library.

Entries forms can also be picked up from one of council's area offices or district libraries.

The competition is open to children aged up to 12-years-old with entries broken down into three categories, with a girl and boy winner selected from each category.

All winners will need to be accompanied by an adult for their winning ride in a NZ Rally car.

The tour will depart the Mercury Bay Area School for a circuit around Whitianga before arriving at the pre-event rally show in Blacksmith Lane.

This is where up to 80 rally cars and crew will be on display for a pre-event rally show which allows the public to get up close to the cars and stars before the official race starts on Saturday morning.

Rally teams will be departing from the Mercury Bay Sports Park for nine special stages covering close to 140km of competitive distance.

Some of the stages will entail road closures during racing and public meetings are now being arranged for anyone who may be affected.

Council, rally organisers and Destination Coromandel will also meet separately with any businesses that may be affected by any road closures.

The public meetings are planned for: Monday July 14 - Mercury Bay Multi Sports Park. Time 7pm. Tuesday July 15 - Tapu Hotel. Time 7pm. Wednesday July 16 - Coroglen Tavern. Time 7pm

Categories for colouring competition:

Category One Girls aged up to five-years-old. Boys aged up to five-years-old. Category Two Girls aged six to nine-years-old. Boys aged six to nine-years-old. Category Three Girls aged 10 to 12-years-old. Boys aged 10 to 12-years-old.