New Zealand rally driver Mike Young is facing the prospect of watching Rally New Zealand from the spectator zones, a shipping nightmare preventing his car arriving in New Zealand on time.
Young, along with co-driver Amy Hudson, have been competing in the APRC Asia Cup Japan for Cusco Racing in a Toyota C-HR and were bringing the car over to compete in their home event.
The car, along with equipment such as tyres from Dunlop Japan, were loaded onto a container ship for transport to New Zealand.
The ship is still yet to make it, with Ports of Auckland estimating its arrival to be on the 30th of September, one day after racing begins. Adding to the complexity, the container was one of the first on, meaning it will be one of the last off.
“Bugger!….. it seems Amy and I are going to be the first to withdraw from Rally New Zealand with a DNS beside our entry,” Young said in a Facebook post.
“A real shame as it was one rally we were most looking forward to, pretty gutted really.
“Thanks to everyone who did try to get our ship across the finish-line in time including the CEO’s of POA, Maersk, GO Logistics and Rally NZ.
“Unfortunately our container is buried at the bottom of the boat and there were numerous other issues. What’s really annoying is that a vessel that left after ours from Japan, has already arrived in Auckland!” Young concluded.
The disappointment obvious in the post, Young went on to address several comments suggesting he borrow a local car for the event.
“That would be the ultimate,” he said in reply to one suggestion.
“I’d love to,” was the response to another.
Young has built a successful career in the sport throughout Australasia following his 2011 international debut. He has a range of titles to his name, including the Japan Super Rally 2019, the APRC Asia Cup 2019 and APRC Production 2016.
Most recently, Young and Hudson scored fifth place at Montre in the APRC Asia Cup Japan in June.
Young also went on to address his sponsors for the event, including Cusco, Dunlop Japan, #GoLogistics, Seeka, Würth New Zealand, Pacific Toyota, Specialised Auto Services, Asia Pacific Sports Media and his co-driver, Hudson.
“A big thanks to all sponsors old and new,” he said.
Image: Mike Young Motorsport
