Stage
No |
Name | Distance |
1st car
starts |
Status | Description |
| 1 |
Crusher Road 1 |
4.3kms |
10:45 |
Completed |
This stage has not been used since the late 1990’s. Starting at the Fulton Hogan Appleby crushing plant, this is a very quick, short blast alongside the Waimea River passing through 2 spectator areas, to blast through Works Civil crushing plant near the end of the stage. |
| 2 |
Gordons Road 1 |
28.66kms |
11:15 |
Completed |
A new stage for the Nelson Rally. 4.5kms of smooth fast Council road flowing alongside the Wairoa Gorge before heading gently uphill through recently logged areas for a fantastic 10kms. The next 5-6kms is good smooth surface ridge roads with winding hill sections, followed by 7km winding downhill to the end. This stage opens up in many areas, giving good visibility for ridiculous short bursts of speed closing into corners with amazing views, however you won’t have time for the scenery, it will be fast and very busy at times! This one has a bit of everything to test the best drivers, finishing on a fast down hill section. Changing road surfaces near the end with logging activity. |
| 3 |
Shirtcliffs 1 |
33.92kms |
12:50 |
Completed |
Used as the first stage for the last 2 years. Starts off uphill and then along a ridge before joining a wonderful big wide main arterial forestry road. This is fast and flowing with a good hard base. After 11km there is a downhill section, which takes you to the popular spectator area at the bottom of the Dovedale Hill. From here is 5 km of public road up to the top of the hill and then back into the forest for another blast along some more of the fantastic arterial forestry road and finally a 6km down hill section to the finish. |
| 4 |
Crusher Road 2 |
4.3kms |
13:55 |
Completed |
A repeat of SS1 |
| 5 |
Gordons Road 2 |
28.66kms |
14:55 |
Completed |
A repeat of SS2 |
| 6 |
Shirtcliffs Road 2 |
33.92kms |
15:50 |
Completed |
A repeat of SS3 |
Stage
No |
Name | Distance |
1st car
starts |
Status | Description |
| 7 |
Trass Valley |
31.5kms |
08:15 |
Completed |
The same as last year but with a change in the last 10kms and 3.85km longer. Starts in the valley floor and heads uphill through recently logged areas. At the top it joins back onto the main arterial forestry road for another taste of fast & furious action through to the top of the Spooners Range, where you pass through last years spectator area. The stage then heads west along more new sections of rally roads with a couple of tight corners to narrow near the entry into Rabbit Gully, then out to the Motueka Valley. Road surfaces similar to Stage 3 - great gravel roads with good hard bases with changing surfaces the last few kms |
| 8 |
Christies |
21.22kms |
09:55 |
Completed |
Last used in 2006, this road consists of a loop. It first climbs up and then descends to the finish along a valley road. A tight corner as you finish your down hill route may test your skills. There are also some tight corners along the valley floor that need to be watched out for. |
| 9 |
Firewood Gully/Ridge 14 |
28.1kms |
10:25 |
Completed |
A short drive from the end of SS8, the first part of this stage was last used in 2006, with the middle section used in 2007 & 2008. This stage starts in the valley floor. A quick 2.5km climb to a main arterial road leads you onto some smooth fast hard based ridge roads, then into the down hill section, with the odd patch of pine needles. Near the finish, a high speed approach to a tight corner with some flowing zig-zags to finish with. This stage is a drivers dream, flowing corners with a wide downhill section, and hard surfaces. |
| 10 |
Biggs/Spooners Top |
15.34kms |
11:05 |
Completed |
A short drive from the end of SS9. Starts on a gentle uphill and climbs to more fast ridge roads. Passing the spectator area, at which point it joins up with SS6/9 from 2008 for a short blast along a wide fast ridge. Most of this stage is in open forests. Another good hard based road with a few corners to slow you down. |
| 11 |
Firewood Gully/Ridge 14 |
28.1kms |
12:55 |
Completed |
|
| 12 |
Biggs/Spooners Top |
15.34kms |
13:35 |
Completed |
A repeat of SS10 |