WRC events boost Asia-Pacific rallying

The two events announced a joint sponsorship deal for the two World Rally Championship events with the brand, which is the largest car parts supplier in Australasia, and the officials hope to further enchance the region's two WRC qualifiers.

Repco will back this year's WRC event in New Zealand and next season's all-new Australian rally. Despite the financial input from Repco, there remains little detail on Rally Australia 2009 - an event scheduled to start on the country's east coast in less than 16 months. The organisers are planning a launch of the new event later this season.

Garry Connelly, chairman of Rally Australia's organising committee, believes the new deal will also bring the organisers of Rally NZ and Rally Australia closer than ever, with the two working together in a similar way to Sweden and Norway.

"We're pleased to share this sponsor with Rally New Zealand and look forward to working closely with our friends across the Tasman. I've already had discussions with Chris Carr (Chairman of Rally NZ organising committee) regarding how we can share other resources and support both our WRC events.

"Our goal is not only to promote these two events, but to lift the profile of World Championship Rallying, and rallying in general, in the wider Asia-Pacific region."

Rally New Zealand runs from August 28-31.