New Zealand case strong for WRC race return

The famous Whaanga coast stage in the Waikato (Photosport file)
The famous Whaanga coast stage in the Waikato (Photosport file)

With the Bledisloe Cup and Four Nations seeming to be no contest nowadays; the battle to stage the ‘Down Under’ round of the World Rally Championship could be the hottest trans-Tasman battle.

Headlines in Australia ahead of last weekend’s WRC season finale centred not on the race for the title, but rather the future of Rally Australia.

In fairness, when the closest thing to a local hope is New Zealand’s Hayden Paddon – then any talk of the event being stages on this side of the Tasman is going to raise hackles in Australia.

Rally Australia sporting director Adrian Stafford made it clear that he doesn’t want to share the event, which is what the two countries have tried to do previously.

"We’re quite determined to still put a solid case forward for Australia to retain its spot, irrespective of what might not happen with New Zealand."

Paddon, who is at the vanguard of bringing the event back to New Zealand, told me after his 4th place finish in the dust of Coffs Harbour, that "three-years-on-three-years-off, would be ideal."

So, clearly any trans-Tasman accord is off the table.

But never mind, New Zealand are pressing on and 2018 is looking promising for a return.

As soon as Rally Australia finished, Oliver Ciesla, WRC Promoter and managing director was bound for New Zealand to take a first-hand look at the proposed base in Tauranga.

Even better, I discovered he will be looking over the stage and has requested that the famous Whaanga Coast be part of the event.