Rally New Zealand

The ongoing uncertainty around COVID Alert Levels and regional travel in and out of Auckland has forced organisers to reschedule the Repco Battle of Jacks Ridge to Waitangi weekend on 5-6 February 2022.

Yesterday’s government announcement provides no clear indication that a drop to Alert Level 1 will be possible by the original date of mid-November.  Couple that with the ongoing restrictions on regional travel in and out of Auckland and organisers felt there just wasn’t enough confidence to successfully push on with the original dates.

Competitors and fans need to confirm travel plans and so the organisers have decided to push the Repco Battle of Jacks Ridge back to Waitangi weekend early next year, which has always been the back-up date.

That move should provide more certainty for everyone and ensures that it will be completely safe coming to watch at the purpose-built WRC power stage.

“It is obviously frustrating, but we had always planned for a COVID disruption and had pencilled 5-6 February 2022 in as the back-up date some time ago,” event manager Paul Fallon said.

“While it is disappointing not to be able to run as planned, we feel this option will work just as well and will give competitors, sponsors and fans a better level of certainty.

“An early February date gives the region time to get this outbreak under control, continue to raise vaccination rates and it is when the region has its most stable weather.

“We have poured a huge amount of work and planning into this event and made improvements to the track and to the facilities. We look forward to being able to put on a bigger show than last year but at a date we can all be completely confident with.”

All event partners have agreed to the date change and the revised dates could potentially open up the possibility of some international driver interest.

Fallon said the new dates work for Sky Sport, who will broadcast the event live, while he wants to acknowledge WRC star Hayden Paddon, who has agreed to move his Golden 1200 hill climb event near Cromwell from Waitangi weekend to a new, yet-to-be-confirmed date to accommodate the Repco Battle of Jacks Ridge date change.

Tickets will remain on sale and will no doubt be a popular option for Christmas presents. Already purchased tickets automatically roll over to the new dates and ticket holders need not do anything.

The Repco Battle of Jacks Ridge returns in November for a second edition with inaugural champion Shane van Gisbergen set to defend his crown against WRC winner Hayden Paddon and a star-studded line-up.

Supercars ace Van Gisbergen produced a superb drive to come out on top of a knock-out-style showdown against the best rally drivers in the country last year as the purpose-built 2km-long piece of road proved a hit with drivers and fans alike.

Van Gisbergen, who is dominating the 2021 Supercars Championship at present, has confirmed he will return to defend his title.

“It was an awesome experience last year and I had a blast,” he said. “I am super keen to come back and have another go.

“The field will be competitive, and I will have my work cut out again in 2021, but I am really looking forward to it.”

A sold-out crowd saw Paddon set the early pace last year before an uncharacteristic mistake saw him exit earlier than expected.

But the Hyundai driver has confirmed he will be back to tackle Van Gisbergen and others.

“The Repco Battle of Jack’s Ridge was a big success last year and organisers did a great job,” Paddon said.

“Unfortunately, we didn’t get it quite right, so I am determined to come back and have another go.

“Shane was awesome to watch, and it will be great to compete against him again and I know there is a huge interest from some really good drivers so I expect a tough challenge.

“The layout was great, the fans were awesome and I can’t wait to get out there and put on a show for everyone.”

The weekend of November 13-14 has been locked in with specific times to be confirmed in the coming weeks.

A sell-out crowd were treated to a terrific spectacle last year on former national rally champion Andrew Hawkeswood’s Whitford property, just 20 minutes from central Auckland.

Richard Clarke, Head of Major and Business event for Auckland Unlimited, said the event is another example of Kiwi ingenuity born from the challenges of 2020, and that Auckland Unlimited is thrilled to support the Battle of Jacks Ridge. 

“We see a bright future for this event to attract even more internationals to this purpose-built rally venue along with motorsport-hungry fans to Auckland for some of the best viewing on offer. It’s part of a big fortnight of motorsport in the region, so we hope fans are ready,” Clarke said.  

“Jacks Ridge, as a venue, is a lot more than a motorsport story; the development of the venue is a remarkable sustainability story and the event’s ongoing commitment to environmental management is testament to the organiser’s innovative approach,” Clarke added. 

The event is supported by Auckland’s economic and cultural agency, Auckland Unlimited, on behalf of Auckland Council.  

Repco have returned as naming rights sponsors of the Repco Battle of Jack’s Ridge.

“Repco is once again proud to present the Repco Battle of Jack’s Ridge; the pinnacle of New Zealand Rally,” Louise Sixton, GM Sales & Operations Repco NZ said.

“This phenomenal event showcases some of New Zealand’’s best drivers on a unique track, including some of the best spectator access, to get you up close and personal with the action. It promises to be even bigger and better than last year.

“We are delighted to partner with the event again and help put on the best rally sprint event in the country.”

Sky Sport have confirmed they will once again offer live coverage. 

“Motorsport is hugely popular with Sky viewers and they love nothing more than seeing our homegrown heroes perform here in Aotearoa New Zealand,” Jonny Errrington, Chief Commercial Officer said. 

“We’re excited to have year two of the Battle of Jack’s Ridge after such a successful debut, and to see SVG and Hayden in action alongside other up and coming drivers.”

More details around the 2021 Repco Battle of Jack’s Ridge will be confirmed in the coming weeks with tickets on sale August 15th. 

The inaugural Repco Battle of Jacks Ridge was a massive success on Sunday with a sold-out crowd and massive television audience on Sky Sport tuning in to see Supercars star Shane van Gisbergen crowned champion.

The purpose-built venue at former national champion Andrew Hawkeswood’s Whitford farm delivered a brilliant test for the drivers and superb viewing for spectators.

“We are delighted with how the weekend went,” Rally New Zealand chairman Peter Johnston said.

“The venue was just superb. Andrew and his crew have done a magnificent job putting this together and we cannot thank them enough.

“It is a glimpse into the future bringing a stadium-style rally event to the people.

“I want to thank Paul Fallon and his team for running a fantastic event and all the volunteers for making the day possible.

“The drivers and fans left having enjoyed themselves and we are already thinking about next year and what we can do add to the spectacle.”

Hawkeswood had a dream to build a rally stage for world class performers and he was pleased to see that his idea had come to life so spectacularly.

“I’m thrilled with how it all went. The stage was everything I had hoped for and it was great to bring that to life,” the 2017 national champion said.

“I look forward to doing it again next year.”

The now completed field for next week’s Repco Battle of Jacks Ridge boast arguably the most wins across any motorsport event ever staged on New Zealand soil.

Aside from Hayden Paddon’s 2016 WRC victory at Rally Argentina – the first time a driver from the southern hemisphere has triumphed at a WRC event – the Repco Battle of Jacks Ridge field has a combined 13 New Zealand Rally Championship titles, 82 round wins, 9 junior championships and 42 class championships. 

There are two Pirelli Star Driver scholarship winners, five Top Half Rally Series championships, a Mainland Rally Series championship, 13 Northern Rallysprint Series championships and eight Targa overall victories.

Shane van Gisbergen adds a Supercars championship while between he and Greg Murphy they have five Bathurst wins and a further six podium finishes. Overall, the pair have 63 race wins and 182 podium finishes.

There is a Bathurst 24 Hour win and a Bathurst 12 Hour win as well as a Blancpain GT Endurance series championship.

On New Zealand race tracks the field boasts a New Zealand Grand Prix win, two New Zealand Open Wheel Gold Star champions and a Formula Ford championship.

Thanks to speedway star Michael Pickens, there are nine New Zealand midget championships, one Australian championship, five New Zealand Grand Prix wins, one Australian Grand Prix win, two North Island titles, a podium finish at the famous Chili Bowls nationals in the United States, six Western Springs 50 Lap Classic wins, four World 30 Lap wins and a North Island Sprint Car Championship.

Drift stars Mad Mike Whiddett and Darren Kelly will both be on show on Sunday week and comprise two D1NZ championships, a D1NZ Pro-Am championship and Formula Drift Japan titles between them.

There are three New Zealand Off Road championships, 11 class championships and two NZ1000 wins.

As yet, there is no King of Jacks Ridge. That will change on November 15.

The Repco Battle of Jacks Ridge will be broadcast live on Sky Sport from former national champion Andrew Hawkeswood’s Whitford property, where he has constructed a world class power stage that features a cambered gravel road and massive jumps.

Tickets are selling out fast – they can be purchased via Ticket Fairy.