The newest event on the national rally calendar – set to be based in Whitianga on August 23 – will officially be known as the VINZ Gold Rush Rally of Coromandel.

The Whitianga-based event will see cars racing the rugged peninsula roads on August 23 as one of the final two rounds in the six round New Zealand Rally Championship series.

The newest event on the national rally calendar – to hit peninsula roads next month – will officially be known as the VINZ Gold Rush Rally of Coromandel.

Rally New Zealand chairman Peter ‘PJ’ Johnston is looking forward to the new event and VINZ involvement.

“The Gold Rush Rally will be an all new challenge for the best drivers in the country on fantastic new roads.

“We’ve had excellent support from the host area and the Thames Coromandel District Council, who have been very welcoming of our event,” says Peter.

And now to combine that with VINZ as event sponsor who are already a great supporters of our national series and passionate about rallying is a great synergy.”

VINZ CEO Frank Willett is excited by the company’s increased involvement within the spectacular sport of rallying.

“I am proud to see our brand associated with such a high profile event as the NZ Rally Championship and to support an all-new event on the Coromandel.

“Our company is passionate about NZ motoring and motorists, and our support of rallying is an extension of that.”

Entries for the August event have already started flowing in from around the country with a top quality field of teams anticipated to contest the new event.

The VINZ Gold Rush Rally of Coromandel will take place on Saturday, August 23, and is the fifth round of the Brian Green Property Group New Zealand Rally Championship driven by VINZ.

Based at the seaside town of Whitianga, the event will be contested via nine special stages totalling 135 kilometres in competitive distance on the gravel roads of the Coromandel Peninsula.                      

This commitment extends VINZ’s involvement in rallying in New Zealand, with the company already a major supporter of the New Zealand Rally Championship, along with its partnership with World Rally Championship driver Hayden Paddon from Geraldine.