Sport

Rally NZ set to miss out again

17:53 pm on 8 August 2017

Rally New Zealand organisers are resigned to the event not returning to the World Rally Chapionship any time soon.

Latest discussions with the sport's governing body the FIA and the competition promoters suggest that expanding next year's championship by adding an event outside of Europe is too expensive.

"There is still a small chance that we could be included...but at this stage the WRC Promoter has said that the costs to venture to New Zealand are a major hurdle," Rally New Zealand spokesman Peter Johnston said.

Hayden Paddon. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

The last time New Zealand hosted a WRC round was in 2012.

The final outcome will be known next month at which time Rally New Zealand will reassess their plans for the future.

Croatia and Turkey are expected to be added to the competition with Poland dropped because of spectator control problems this year.

New Zealand rally driver Haydon Paddon expressed has expressed his disappointment at the news saying on Twitter that another rejection could close the door on New Zealand for a considerable period of time.