2021 New Zealand Rally Championship calendar taking shape

The first four events of the 2021 Brian Green Property Group New Zealand Rally Championship have been confirmed and will be a replica of what was planned for the 2020 season.

The season will start with the Otago Rally on April 16-18 before heading north to the International Rally of Whangarei on May 14-16. Rally South Canterbury will run June 19 while Rally Hawke’s Bay will follow on July 24.

The fifth and/or sixth rounds of the championship will be confirmed at a later date once the international calendar, including whether the FIA World Rally Championship will return to New Zealand shores, is locked in place.

The four confirmed events were set to be the first four rounds of this year before the Covid-19 pandemic set in and a decision was made to postpone the 2020 season.

Championship coordinator Blair Bartels is delighted to lock in some dates this early in the year.

“We are really pleased to be able to give competitors and fans some certainty around next year’s calendar,” Bartels said.

“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 was excited to see the calendar was already taking shape.

“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.”

As previously indicated long-time championship sponsor Brian Green Property Group will return as the naming right sponsor of the championship.

“We are extremely grateful for Greenie’s ongoing support of our championship,” Bartels added. “The sport is very lucky to have someone support it like Brian has and we want to acknowledge what he has done for rallying,” added Bartels

2021 Brian Green Property Group NZRC Calendar:

• Otago Rally – April 16-18 
• International Rally of Whangarei – May 14-16
• Rally South Canterbury – June 19
• Rally Hawke’s Bay – July 24
• Round 5 (TBC)
• Round 6 (TBC)