The idea is not new to the WRC organizers, as some of the asphalt stages in Portugal and Cyprus earlier this year have also been tackled with gravel-spec tires. Regardless of the negative feedback from the drivers, the championship officials decided to continue this trend in 2010 also.
Coming back to the New Zealand event, it seems the aforementioned asphalt super special stage will be ran twice during the second day of the rally.
“Competitors will depart Parc Ferme in Auckland City early on Saturday morning and head south to run stages in the Franklin, and North Waikato. (...) competitors will run one timed super special stage around the 2.8km asphalt circuit. It’s exciting for both competitors and fans to have the powerful rally cars tackling an asphalt stage on gravel-spec tires,” said Rally New Zealand’s clerk of the course Willard Martin, according to the WRC official site.
In addition to that change of itinerary, the New Zealand officials also announced the building of the Hampton Downs complex – in which the asphalt super special will be held next year – which aims to become the best motorsport facility in the country.
“When it’s finished it will be New Zealand's best motorsport facility. The 2.8 kilometre clockwise circuit, one of three in the complex, features six corners, hilly contours and superb spectator viewing along with top class facilities,” revealed CEO of Hampton Downs Jamie Kett.
Rally New Zealand is scheduled to get under way on May 6, 2010.
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