Severe weather forces changes to New Zealand Rally Championship 2023 calendar

Championship Forced to Make Changes

Severe weather in New Zealand over the summer has forced changes to the 2023 calendar of the Brian Green Property Group New Zealand Rally Championship. Due to January and February weather events and uncertainty of access to the areas, organisers have advised the championship that it is not appropriate to run events in either Hawke’s Bay or Coromandel this year. However, organisers will now look to instate replacement events to ensure a six-round calendar remains with as little disruption as possible.

Blair Bartels, the championship coordinator, expressed his sympathy for the thousands of people impacted by the severe weather.

There are a lot of people that have been devastated by these tragic events and a little disruption to our calendar pales into insignificance compared to what many are going through.

Blair Bartels - Championship Coordinator

Bartels added that they are in touch with personnel on the ground in both regions to assess the situation, and rally organisers at both Hawke’s Bay and Coromandel have informed them that there is no certainty the regions will be accessible or the roads available to run events there this year.

Replacement events sought

Bartels said there is already work well underway at finding alternative events to join Otago, Whangarei, South Canterbury, and Bay of Plenty on the six-round 2023 calendar. Confirmation of the alternative events and dates is expected in the coming weeks. Bartels promised to keep the calendar as close to what had been planned as possible regarding dates, but they intend to run a full championship this season.

MotorSport New Zealand CEO Elton Goonan also expressed his disappointment at not being able to hold events in Hawke’s Bay and Coromandel.

We know everyone will be working on their return to the calendar in future years and contributing to the economic recovery of those areas.

Elton Goonan - MotorSport New Zealand CEO