The upcoming Repco Rally New Zealand is set to be a classic Australia versus New Zealand showdown with reigning Australian Rally Champion Harry Bates going up against New Zealand Rally Champion Hayden Paddon on the 17 stage battleground next month.
Bates has previously competed in the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) during Rally Australia but the New Zealand will be his first event outside of his home country. He will be competing against Paddon in the WRC2 category.
The Australian will get behind the wheel of a Skoda Fabia Rally2 evo alongside co-driver John McCarthy instead of the Toyota GR Yaris AP4 the pair are used to. That’s because Toyota don’t currently make a WRC2 homologated rally car which left Bates looking to Skoda for his Rally NZ ride.
Also getting behind the wheel of a Skoda is Kiwi Shane van Gisbergen who will compete against the two in the WRC2 category as well.
Meanwhile, Paddon and co-driver John Kennard will be piloting their Hyundai i20 N Rally2 car which they recently campaigned with in Europe, scoring a podium in the process.
Speaking with Motorsport Australia, Bates said “its an opportunity to show what I can do.”
“I’m always looking for a challenge and I love it when guys like Shane (van Gisbergen) turn up and give me that challenge.”
Repco Rally New Zealand is just over a month away from kicking off, starting on September 29 and running through until October 2.
Get your tickets to the rally here.
Main image: Harry Bates Facebook
