Rally NZ bids for top WRC status

Johnston says they’re some way down the road with their negotiations for its return. ‘‘We’re hopeful of having it back in 2020,’’ Johnston said.

‘‘The WRC promoters aren’t keen to go back to Coffs Harbour, so they are thinking that maybe there’s an opportunity for New Zealand. We’re still actively right on it at the moment.’’

At this stage, it would only be back for 2020, then return to Australia, although the perfect scenario would be for New Zealand to be a regular feature once again on the WRC calendar in the future.

Johnston says he hopes to know in the next two weeks whether it will happen, and says there are still a couple of hurdles to get over.

‘‘It would be for one year and we’ve got a lot of support from Ateed,’’ he said.

‘‘The New Zealand general public are desperate to have it back, but we are looking for a sponsor and we have got Australia trying to retain the event for 2020, so we’ll see what happens.’’

The rally has been on Ateed’s radar for a while. The branch of Auckland Council that supports a number of significant sporting and cultural events each year regards the rally as a great way to promote the city around the world.

‘‘Auckland is always looking for ways to bring world-class events to the region, and a World Rally Championship event would present a very exciting addition,’’ Ateed’s head of major events, Stuart Turner, said.

‘‘We would welcome the opportunity to host the world’s best drivers and to showcase Auckland internationally.

‘‘Auckland is very proud of its history and interest in motorsport, having previously hosted World Rally Championship events and the annual Supercars Championship event, which regularly attracts tens of thousands of people every year.’’

Johnston says they’re also talking to the Government about the rally.

Financially, they still need a significant sponsor to come on board, while the Rally Australia organisers are hastily looking for a venue for next year.

‘‘The Australians are fighting like crazy to retain the event there, but it would be wonderful to have it in New Zealand,’’ Johnston said.

‘‘This will be the last year at Coffs Harbour and they’ll have to move it, even for 2021, they’re going to have to take it to a new venue.

‘‘That’s easier said than done and we’re ready, we’ve got all the roads, we’ve got everything planned, we have good support, but we are after a sponsor.’’