And it's a College!A Japanese automotive college is the first official entry for this year's Rally New Zealand.
The 38th Rally New Zealand, round 11 of the FIA World Rally Championship, will be staged in and around the Waikato and Franklin districts from 30 August
until 2 September.
The Takayama College of Car Technology entry was the first received by the Rally New Zealand office when entries opened on Thursday 28 June. They have competed in a round of the World Rally Championship every year since 1996, with students from the college providing the crew for the all-female team.
The students complete a two-year course to study car technology, culminating in a national diploma in automotive maintenance.
"The purpose of taking part in the World Rally Championship is to equip the students with a good education in the real world," said Susumu Sakai, associate professor of the Takayama College of Car Technology.
"We must compete on all three days and we must complete the rally. Our first priority is to finish the rally. We have never failed to finish a rally and we are very much looking forward to taking part in New Zealand," he added.
The team will rally a Subaru WRX STi and also bring their own recce car, drivers, 14 students and also a further 20 guests.
"It's an exciting venture that will certainly add considerable interest to the rally," said General Manager Paul Mallard.
"Obviously there will be much interest in the battle for the World Rally Championship, the Production Car World Rally Championship and the New Zealand Rally Championship."
"But this is a novel and interesting entry. They have competed in Rally Japan and Rally Australia and we are delighted they've selected New Zealand," he declared.
Mr Mallard said he expected the bulk of the international entries to arrive in the next few weeks up until entries close on 25 July. Up to 70 entries are expected with over 20 in the Production Car World Rally Championship.
The shakedown takes place at Mystery Creek on Thursday 30 August ahead of the Ceremonial Start in Hood Street, Hamilton on Thursday evening.
The rally proper begins on Friday 31 August in the Pirongia and Waitomo region, day two is in the Franklin District and northern Waikato and final day in Raglan, with super special stages each day back at the rally headquarters and service park at Mystery Creek.
Source Rally New Zealand
