Alongside the top class rally action during the International Rally of Whangarei, which runs from 15 to 17 July, local children get a special race of their own.
 
On Saturday 16 July, the first Grid Kids run-and-bike duathlon to be run in the region takes place at Whangarei’s Pohe Island before the rally cars use the same road for their competition.
 
Laurie Brenssell, chairman of the International Rally of Whangarei organising committee, says the introduction of a competitive element for local children gives the children and their families another exciting reason to enjoy having a motorsport event of this calibre in their city.
 
“The International Rally of Whangarei is a world-class motorsport event and it’s our pleasure to welcome Shanelle Barrett, who developed and runs the successful Grid Kids duathlon series, and her team to this year’s event,” says Brenssell. 


 

Images left and below by Grid Kids: Competitors in Grid Kids’ events at motor racing events early in 2011. “The rally action comes right into the heart of the city with our Pohe Island super special stage – located at William Fraser Memorial Park on Riverside Drive – with a 1.5km circuit being used twice on the Saturday by rally competitors. As has happened for the past few years, local Lions Clubs join together to create the very successful Lions Club family fun day with activities, food and refreshments providing entertainment between each running of the super special stage.

 “This year, the Grid Kids races are part of the Pohe Island activities, taking place on the Saturday morning. Children race in one of three age groups completing two running legs and a bike leg around the same gravel road used by the rally cars later in the day,” explains Brenssell.
 
Grid Kids features three age groups: six to seven years, eight to nine years and ten to 13 years. Following the 9am briefing from Barrett, each group gets their own start time before tackling a run of a specified distance for their age group ranging from one to 1.5km and up to three laps of the circuit on their bikes. 

Barrett has run similar Grid Kids events during the summer motorsport series around the country and several hundred children have participated at each event. She says the response from Whangarei locals has been very positive.   “We’ve had great support from personnel at Whangarei District Council and Colin Twyman who oversees the Lions Club family fun day,” says Barrett. “We’re looking forward to a very successful inaugural Grid Kids event in Whangarei.”   There are many free and ticketed activities that spectators can enjoy while the International Rally of Whangarei takes, adds Brenssell.

“We welcome fans to come down and see the teams at the service park place which is beside the rally headquarters at Whangarei’s Quayside Town Basin from Wednesday to Sunday. On Friday, 15 July we’ve got a fun lunchtime parade of rally cars and other support vehicles through the CBD. From 3:30pm that afternoon, join us in the Cameron Street Mall for the driver autograph signing session where Grid Kids competitors can also complete their pre-race registration. Then from 4:30pm, everyone is welcome to join us for the official start ceremony, right there in the mall, where we’ll meet every competitor as they drive their car over the start ramp. It’s all free and fantastic for rally fans of all ages to enjoy. Then, of course, over the weekend, there’s plenty of rally action to enjoy – either out in the country stages or closer to the city at the Pohe Island super special stage.”

 
For further information, please contact:
 
Shanelle Barrett, Grid Kids Duathlon Series
M: 027 457 6736
E: shanelle@gridkids.co.nz
 
Laurie Brenssell, organising committee chairman
M: 0274 333 667
 
Nick Carter, general manager
M: 021 999 724; E: nick@rallynz.org.nz
 
Kate Gordon, media manager
M: 021 587 227; E : kate@rallynz.org.nz
 
Event details for Grid Kids Whangarei 16 July 2011 (races will run rain or shine)

Cost:
$20 for individual entry
 
Start Times:
8:00am – 9:00am – Transition open
9:00am – Briefing
9:10am – 10-13 years - 1.5km run, 5.1km bike (3 laps), 0.4km run
9:20am – 8-9 years - 1.0km run, 3.4km bike (2 laps), 0.4km run
9:30am – 6-7 years - 1.0km run, 1.7km bike (1 lap), 0.4km run
 
Prize Giving:
10:30am