South Canterbury to host NZ Rally Championship event

The fourth round of the 2018 Motorsport New Zealand Rally Championship will bring fresh challenges to the competitors as they take on not only the best of New Zealand rally drivers in their quest to be the NZ Champion, but the fast and flowing roads of the South Canterbury district on Saturday June 23^rd.

Amongst the first of the entries received was that of former Geraldine residents and current World Rally Championship driver Hayden Paddon who will be returning from Europe especially to compete in the Stadium Finance 2018 Rally of South Canterbury with his new generation Hyundai AP4 rally car.

“To get the opportunity to compete in my local district and on the roads I grew up on is an opportunity that I cannot resist” stated Paddon.

“To have Hayden travel halfway across the world to compete in his local event is so rewarding for all the volunteers running the event” said Kevin Pateman the South Canterbury Car Club President, adding “and it’s a recognition of the standard of event that our club conducts. Preparation for the Rally is well underway with just the finishing touches to be completed. It is a big task, but the support we have received from the community has made it so much easier”

The Stadium Finance 2018 Rally of South Canterbury which is the fourth round of the Brian Green Property Group Motorsport New Zealand Rally Championship and the third round of the MRF Tyres Mainland Series Rally Championship starts with a public display of the cars and a ceremonial start at Caroline Bay on the early evening of Friday 22^nd before competitors head out on a full day of competition on Saturday 23^rd June. The route which encompasses 11 Special Stages covering 190km of closed road high speed action includes 2 visits to the Fairlie Service Park where the public are able to witness the service crews in action.

Media release by South Canterbury Car Club