Latest News

Copthorne Bay of Islands Far North Rally Returns for 2022

Copthorne Bay of Islands Far North Rally Returns for 2022

Mar 18, 2022 | Latest News

As Ben Hunt and Tony Rawstorn checked in to the final time control to win the Far North Rally in September 2019, competitors, service crews and officials immediately began planning the 2020 version of one of the most popular rallies on the New Zealand Motorsport Calendar.

The pandemic and ensuing lockdowns put paid to any hopes of running events in the following two years as cars sat in sheds and rally folk waited for the chance to hit the loud pedal once again.
Saturday 2nd July 2022 will mark 1016 days since the 2019 event and signal the return of rallying to possibly the best gravel roads in New Zealand. The Copthorne Bay of Islands Far North Rally is set to return to Northland after a most unwelcome break.

Planning for the rally is well underway with Far North District Council and Iwi consultation processes progressing well. Starting from Paihia, the draft route schedule proposes over 150 kilometres of Special Stage with 190 touring kilometres. The crews and their machines will be tested in eight Special Stages ranging in length from ten to a whopping 38 kilometres.

In addition to the Special Stages, service stops scheduled for Kaeo, Taipa, Kaitaia, Mangamuka and the final time control at Copthorne Bay of Islands in Waitangi will ensure that local communities get an opportunity to see the cars and crews up close, albeit socially distanced – of course.

Covid red light settings have not taken rally organisers’ eyes off the prize. The rally will run even if New Zealand remains at current settings with Covid-19 regulations being meticulously planned into every aspect of the event.

Marty Roestenburg, himself a three-time winner of the Far North Rally and former custodian of the title “World’s Fastest Maori”, is one of the organising committee members working with Te Tai Tokerau community interests, sponsors, and Far North District Council.

“It’s an iconic event in The North with a rich and successful history. Support from Iwi, communities and local leaders is essential to run this rally. There is still considerable mahi to be done over the next four months to ensure the success and mana of this event but initial korero has been overwhelmingly positive. “

“In these troubled times it is perhaps even more important to plan and deliver exciting, fun activities such as ours, to help relieve some stress, improve wellbeing, and financially benefit local communities along the rally route and throughout the district. “

The return of The Copthorne Bay of Islands Far North Rally to the challenging, cambered gravel roads of Te Tai Tokerau is long overdue and organisers expect the 2022 edition to signify the return of the best cars and crews to some of the best roads in Aotearoa. It’s been a calendar highlight for nearly 25 years and, this time around, not even the global pandemic is going to get in the way.

New Date For James Allan Memorial Rallysprint

Mar 4, 2021 | Latest News

The 25th Anniversary James Allan Memorial Rallysprint has a new date and we are (really… really… really…) hoping that Covid will not intervene this time.

Make sure you keep 28th March free… it’s time to finally go skidding.

On the bright side with a few more weeks to go before we start our engines, we can open up for more entries.

Details Here

Postponed – Force Motorsport 25th Anniversary James Allan Memorial Rallysprint

Feb 27, 2021 | Latest News

Unfortunately due to the Government’s decision to put Auckland into Covid Alert Level 3 and the rest of New Zealand into Level 2, the SACC Committee have no option other than to postpone the Force Motorsport 25th Anniversary James Allan Memorial Rallysprint scheduled for tomorrow.

We do not yet have an alternative date but will announce one as soon as possible.  I will get in touch with all registered competitors with refund options after this is discussed within the committee.

Please contact me if you have any queries.

Our apologies for the postponement and we hope you are staying safe.

Cheers
Mike Catty
021 257 0688

Motorsport NZ Board Meeting

Motorsport NZ Board Meeting

Sep 23, 2020 | Latest News

Following the latest board meeting of MotorSport New Zealand Inc, please see below a summary of the key discussion items and decisions made.

  • Wade Paterson, Chief Steward, attended the Board meeting and a number of items were discussed around the Rules Committee and the Stewards department including training, recruitment, and the up and coming National Stewards Meeting.
     
  • A review of the Finances to the end of August was done and we are tracking better than expected against our revised budget with the Back in Motion package helping to deliverer more participants at most comparable events than during 2019.  The effect on our 2020 finances and the impact of COVID-19 and the Back in Motion support package will continue to be monitored closely.
     
  • A decision was made to support MotorSport New Zealand Championships for the next race and rally seasons and not charge Championship title fees for the 2020/21 season.  Instead, the Accreditation Series fees will apply and this will again be reviewed again during the 2nd quarter of 2021.
     
  • The server infrastructure behind MotorSport Online (Possum) is reaching the end of its life and a move to cloud-based technology has been identified as the best way to ensure longevity and increase its future usability.  This upgrade will also unlock more potential in the system with future developments. $20,000 has been allocated to facilitate this.
     
  • Great progress has been made on eSports in the past few weeks. There will be some further announcements due from the Board in the coming weeks around this. eSports is an exciting new phase of the sport moving forward.
     
  • There are currently ongoing discussions with the promoter and various classes around the Summer Series calendar. We hope to be able to announce some further information around this in the next fortnight.
     
  • Historic Sports Sedan Club has decided not to remain as a member club as they are joining with the Historic Racing Club.
     
  • Management is continuing to investigate ways in which we can make improvements around the current Insurance Policy and other ways we can provide additional value to our members.
     
  • A discussion was had around the 75th Anniversary which is in 2022 and ways in which the organisation can help events and clubs promote the anniversary.
     
  • With the term of David Taylor coming to an end, the Board is seeking a new appointed Board member. Member clubs have been sent information for the nomination of an applicant. The deadline for nominations closes on 25 September 2020 and currently, 2 nominations have been received. If you would like to be considered please contact your club or email the Acting CEO for the application pack.
     
  • Multi-Permit Events: The Board received a proposal from Management regarding the permit fees for multi-permitted events and to allow for only the highest permit fee to be charged. In light of the current impact COVID-19 is having and to provide a benefit to clubs who organise one day multi-permit events, there will now only be a charge of one permit fee which will be for the highest cost permit. A club will still be required to apply for the other permits as previously. 
  • With the departure of David Taylor from the Board, Scott O’Donnell will move to be Board liaison on Race Commission after spending 3 years with the Historic Advisory Commission.  The current Board liaison appointments to Advisory Commissions are:
     
    • Race Advisory Commission – Scott O’Donnell
    • Rally Advisory Commission – Norman Oakley
    • ClubSport Advisory Commission – Nick Hamlin
    • Historic Advisory Commission – TBA
    • Volunteer Advisory Commission – Deborah Day
    • Women in MotorSport Advisory Commission – Deborah Day
    • Youth Advisory Commission – Deborah Day
       
  • As discussed during the 73rd AGM, the 74th MotorSport New Zealand Conference, AGM, and Awards Evening are to be held in Christchurch. We can now confirm that the date for the event is 21/22 May 2021. 
     
    • The Conference and 74th AGM will be held at the Rydges Latimer Christchurch on 21/22 May 2021
    • The Awards Evening will be held at the Christchurch Art Gallery on the evening of 22 May 2021
    • Additional information will follow soon around accommodation packages and the conference, however, if you have any specific topics that you would like to be considered to be included as a seminar please forward these to Morgen Dickson for consideration.

Kind Regards,


Wayne Christe  |  President
MotorSport New Zealand Inc.