NZ turns down WRC race because of rugby clash 29/04/2010 |
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Rally New Zealand (RNZ) has revealed that it has been forced to turn down a place on next year’s World Rally Championship (WRC) schedule because of a clash with the Rugby World Cup.
WRC promoter North One offered New Zealand a race in September, when the Rugby World Cup is taking place in the country.
Chris Carr, chairman of RNZ, said: "We were allocated a date for 2011, but it was right in the period of the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand, so that was not feasible.
“The WRC calendar is heavily influenced by the logistics of moving all of the teams and equipment around the world, and a significant portion of the equipment is shipped by sea.
"The shipping schedules dictated an event in September or October 2011. We had no desire to conflict with the Rugby World Cup and had to decline those dates."
The race was instead handed to Australia, with New Zealand made one of the two reserves for 2011 along with Poland.
Carr added: "Of course it's disappointing, but all is not lost and our efforts will now be applied to ensuring a workable date on the 2012 WRC calendar.
"In the meantime, we celebrate the 40th running of Rally New Zealand in 2010 by making sure this year's event is run to the highest possible standard to ensure that we retain our place in 2012.
"Our event is highly regarded, there's no doubt. It has considerable value to New Zealand in terms of international profile and we continue to talk with all parties as we work towards a suitable date in 2012.
"Now, let's turn our attention to next week's Rally New Zealand and celebrate the wonderful heritage of rallying created by the many hundreds of competitors and thousands of volunteers and fans who have helped make this a truly world-class event over the past 40 years.”
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