Auckland’s Mt Smart stadium will host a spectacular super special stage and the event service park when Rally New Zealand returns to the WRC this season.

The 30,000-capacity stadium, the home of rugby league team New Zealand Warriors, will hold the stage on both the Friday and Saturday of the four-day rally, which is back on the WRC calendar for the first time since 2012.

Rally chief executive Michael Goldstein said organisers were determined to bring the rally to Auckland’s inhabitants.

“The service park at Mt Smart Stadium will be a real hub for the fans to be part of the event. We look forward to welcoming a huge array of kiwis to come and check out this incredible international event, get up close to the cars, meet the drivers and be part of the rally festivities.

“We’re going to supercharge the rally village spectacle by building a super special stage inside the stadium which will make for an incredible experience on the Friday and Saturday of the rally,” he added.

New Zealand rally star Hayden Paddon has confirmed his involvement as the event’s official ambassador and stressed he was still hoping to put a deal together to compete on his home round.

“Rally New Zealand is a hugely exciting event for New Zealand. For the first time, kiwi fans will get to see modern-era WRC cars and drivers battle it out in our own backyard. I would love nothing more than to win this event in a WRC car,” said Paddon.

Source: WRC