WELLINGTON, June 4 (Xinhua) -- The Rally New Zealand, which was scheduled for September in and around Auckland, has announced the postponement of the race due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
"It became clear that with our borders closed to international travel and the logistics required to host thousands of international visitors as part of the World Rally Championship, that the September 2020 date was not practical," Rally New Zealand chief executive Michael Goldstein said.
According to a statement released, the World Rally Championship race was axed because New Zealand's borders remain closed to international travellers, and it becomes the seventh race affected by the coronavirus.
"We are disappointed to not host the World Rally Championship in 2020 but at the same time the issues around the world put this into context," Goldstein added.
The WRC is yet to finalise a schedule for 2021 but New Zealand organizers are hopeful the race, last on the circuit in 2012, will make its return next year. Enditem
