Rally action this weekend

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 11, Issue 530, 5 April 1994, Page 7

Rally action this weekend

Waimarino hosts the Wellington Car Club's national Safari Rally this weekend, with the headquarters based outside Ohakune New World starting Friday night, and scrutineering of the cars at Goddard Automotive Engineering. The rally starts at 1 1 .00am on Saturday outside the supermarket, touring to the first special stage on Ratamaire Road, where the real action is expected to start at around 1 1.10am. Best place to watch is Mike Punch's property, with spectators asked to park in Piwari Street (Rangataua), opposite the stage start. Oruakukura Road stage starts 11.55am, with the Whangaehu Valley Road end of the road listed as the best place to watch, with the finish of stage two, the service area and the start of stage three all in view. Stage Four is Pakahi Road, with the bridge near the junction of the road with Raetihi Ohakune Road being the best viewing spot. Time: 1 .50pm At the Karioi Forest stage, viewing will only be available at the service area, as the forest will be closed to spectators Time: 4.10pm Stage Seven is back on the Oruakukura Road but running towards SH4. Time: 5.00pm Middle Road is Stage Eight, starting at 5 .50pm, with ihe SH4 end of Middle road providing the best views. W alkers canfind good corners about one kilometre from the finish. A short walk from the Karioi pulp mill takes spectators to the mid-point and finish of the second Karioi Forest stage, starting at 7.10pm. The bridge on Pakihi Road, near Raetihi-Ohakune road, is again good viewing for Stage 10. A short service precedes the special stage up the Ohakune Mountain Road, which starts at 9.00pm near the Powderkeg. Organisers ask of spectators : park cars well off the roads ; don't stand on the outside of a corner or on roadways or driveways that a dri ver may use if they fail to take a corner; don't stand below the level of the road (up on a bank is best); watch for the lead and trail cars (rally cars could be on the road any time between); you can't predict when cars will pass by, despite them leaving the start at set intervals; watch for approaching cars and don't rely on just listening (less modified and turbo cars are very quiet). "The Wellington Car Club is grateful for the use of resident's roads as a special stage for the rally," said organisers. They ask if residents urgently need to use a road which is closed for the rally to ring 06-3859 221.