2015 NZ Rally Events

[Zeakiwi]

Ken Block is planning to take in a round of the 2015 NZRC.
"To all the rally fans that thought I was racing in The Rally of the 100 Acre Wood in Missouri, I'm sorry to say that I will not be racing there next weekend. While it is one of my favorite rallies on the US calendar, I have a rare opportunity to substitute this event for a round of the New Zealand national championship instead. My current race program is focused mainly on racing rallycross here in America, and this change will allow me to add another international rally to my calendar."

[janvanvurpa]

Wow NZ has finally broken into the Big Time!
A veritable Rally God has decided to bring the World Media's attention to New Zealand....
I cannot imagine your collective joy.

[Zeakiwi]

There are many NZers who would prefer the country had a lower profile internationally so there were not so many foreign freedom campers crapping up the countryside over the summer.

Amongst the local motorsport scene the drifters are probably among the most media savvy competitors.
http://youtu.be/oPeGxg5NQgE (Radbul - 1000 hp+ Mad Mike Mazda Miata/ MX 5 drift car (chassis by Townsend Brotherz Racing)

[Zeakiwi]

Tony Quinn's car for the 'Race to the Sky' event has been pictured.
https://www.facebook.com/PACE.Innovations - spaceframe with carbon fibre 'Ford' skin with aero package and 850hp R35 twin turbo engine with 'R 35' drive train?(or possibly another less complex drivetrain e.g sadev, albins -st06 with transfer case for 4wd etc)
Probably similar to the Dacia Duster PPIHC.

edit- TQ car is midengined with front transmission - 'reversed R35'

[Zeakiwi]

Alister McRae for Otago Rally 2015 in his Mk2 Escort.

http://www.otagorally.net/home/index...d=418&Itemid=1

Ken Block has added the Otago Rally to his program.

[Zeakiwi]

Pontus Tidemand - now Skoda driver in APRC - first start in Whangarei.
http://www.skoda-auto.com/en/news/pa...otorsport.aspx

[KiwiWRCfan]

Good depth of entries for 2015 NZ Rally Champs
http://nzrallychamps.co.nz/spectacul...onship-opener/

[Zeakiwi]

Monster Tajima interview before he takes the 'Toyota 86' up the mountain.
http://www.3news.co.nz/sport/video-m...#axzz3XSX0z7u2

[Zeakiwi]

Monster Tajima has reportedly had an off course excursion at high speed after a rear wing failure during a run at Race to the Sky.
(edit Monster is ok after off)
http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/motorsp...o-the-sky.html

[Zeakiwi]

Rally Otago coming, a shame Richard Mason will not be there. How severe was the damage to the Rossendale Wine Escort at the Silver Fern last year?
The Classic driver McRae has his own Mk2 for the classic section of Rally Otago?
http://nzrallychamps.co.nz/news-between-the-rounds/

Day 1 - Campbell (Evo9) leads Paddon (Escort BDG) by 0.2 of a second going into the short tarmac stage. A few retirements to day including Block, Kelsey etc.

Paddon in the BDG https://youtu.be/iqx9cH_r9ig