Organisers of the Brian Green Property Group New Zealand Rally Championship have firmed up the details of the 2021 season calendar by confirming the dates of the first four events in what will be a replica of the curtailed 2020 season.
The 2021 NZRC will kick off with the Otago Rally on April 16-18 before the coveted International Rally of Whangarei on May 14-16.
Dates have also been confirmed for Rally South Canterbury (June 19) and Rally Hawke’s Bay on July 24.
The four events will make up the opening four rounds of the year with the fifth and sixth rounds set to be announced after the international rally calendar, including the FIA World Rally Championship which could still return to New Zealand, has been locked in.
Long-time sponsor Brian Green Property Group will also continue its partnership with the series and return for another year as the naming right sponsor of the championship.
“We are really pleased to be able to give competitors and fans some certainty around next year’s calendar,” said NZRC coordinator Blair Bartels.
“There was a lot of positive feedback about what the 2020 calendar looked like and that has helped shape the 2021 calendar.
“We know there is a lot of anticipation already around next year’s championship and we are excited to be able to announce the first part of the championship to allow organisers and competitors to start detailed planning.
“It hurt not to have a championship in 2020 but it was the right decision for the sport and our local communities. We want to thank everyone in the rallying community for their ongoing support during this tough time.”
MotorSport New Zealand’s Acting CEO Elton Goonan added his praise for the series locking in its 2021 dates and is excited to see the calendar beginning to crystallise.
“It’s great that Rally New Zealand has been so proactive in getting the 2021 season lined up. The level of interest shown is really exciting to see and shows that the crews are as keen as ever to be involved in the 2021 New Zealand Rally Championship,” said Goonan.
“2020 was shaping up to be an incredible year until we were forced to postpone the championship so we’re very pleased to see that strength and momentum carry forward into 2021.”
2021 NZRC calendar
| Round | Rally | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Otago Rally | April 16-18 |
| 2 | International Rally of Whangarei | May 14-16 |
| 3 | Rally South Canterbury | June 19 |
| 4 | Rally Hawke’s Bay | July 24 |
| 5 | TBC | TBC |
| 6 | TBC | TBC |
Main Image: Geoff Ridder