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Rally Australia WRC (P) - 4-6 Sep 09

Posted: October 2, 2009 11:37 AM - 9181 Hits

Round 10 - 2009 FIA World Rally Championship

NO KOALAS OR THREATENED SPECIES KILLED OR INJURED DURING RALLY AUSTRALIA, SCIENTISTS REPORT

Posted: October 2, 2009 11:37 AM

THE organisers of Repco Rally Australia have released preliminary information collected by an independent team of environmental scientists from Biolink Pty Ltd, led by respected scientist Dr Stephen Phillips, following the conclusion of the event last Sunday.

Dr Phillips explained the process put in place for the rally -
”Firstly, in the months prior to the rally we thoroughly inspected the entire competition route and noted all potential habitats for koalas, lyrebirds and any other threatened species. With the organisers we assembled a team of people and a plan to install various measures as outlined in our final reports of July 2009.

“On the morning of each day of the rally two teams each comprising three ecologists surveyed the entire competition course prior to the running of the first car.

“Accompanied by a team of hard-working volunteer officials we installed a total of more than seven kilometres of temporary animal fencing and placed almost 40 monitors in strategic locations along each stage, while pollution booms and sediment traps were also installed at all key water crossings and streams. Special guardians were also placed where koalas were located in trees alongside the road during our pre-rally survey.

“Following the passage of the last car in the rally, the environmental teams again inspected the stage and recorded any injured or killed animals that had not been present in the pre-event inspection.

“This was one of the most thorough operations that has been undertaken anywhere in the world.

“The most pleasing aspect was the results were far better than anyone would have expected. We only found a small number of killed animals which, quite frankly, is arguably less than you would normally expect to find on these roads. We put this down to the gradual build-up of rally activity over the morning of each day of the event.

“Importantly, there was no evidence of any animal having been killed in the small areas of National Park traversed by the rally.

“All-up for the 344 kms of rally activity we recorded a total of two lizards, four snakes, nine birds and a single mammal, which was much less than expected for this number of competing vehicles.

“Most importantly, no threatened fauna, including koalas, were killed or injured.

“Despite claims made to the contrary in the weeks leading up to the rally, the results validate the conclusions reached in our July reports that the rally would have no significant impact on threatened species.”

However, Dr Phillips said it was important to also look at the bigger picture.

“Increased levels of road kill will invariably be associated with any large spectator event where people are travelling to and from particular areas,” he said.

“That means there must also be a broader area of engagement by Local and State Government levels with this issue than that which might otherwise be singularly associated with a rally event.”

Dr Phillips has started to actively solicit information from interested community groups and individuals with a view to getting further information on road kill over the rally period.

“It will always be difficult to partition such data in terms of what may be directly attributable to increased vehicle movements and what might otherwise have occurred in due course, but we will be working towards a suite of recommendations that will have application to other similar spectator events throughout the region,” Dr Phillips said.

Reports on the road kill issue and the efficacy of ameliorative measures that were utilised for the rally will be forwarded to Federal and State Government conservation agencies and the Kyogle and Tweed Shire Councils over the next few weeks.

REPCO RALLY AUSTRALIA 4-DAY ATTENDANCE TOPS 70,000

Posted: September 10, 2009 11:37 AM

ORGANISERS of Repco Rally Australia have announced an attendance total of more than 70,000 over the four days of round 10 of the FIA World Rally Championship staged in the New South Wales Northern Rivers.

Chairman of the Rally Australia Board Alan Evans said today that attendance of ticket buyers and pass holders exceeded 50,000 – with tallies from yesterday still to be finalised – and topped 70,000 when visitors to the free venues at the opening-night rally show, Kingscliff Service Park and yesterday’s Kyogle remote service were included.

“It was an extremely successful weekend. The overwhelming support of the community was extremely gratifying and we have been getting excellent reports from local businesses about how well they did,” Mr Evans said.

“We wanted the people of Tweed and Kyogle, plus visitors from elsewhere in New South Wales, interstate and overseas to see the World Rally cars and they turned out in big numbers. There were well over 4000 people in the CTEK West Special Stage on Saturday and the atmosphere was fantastic.

“It was also amazing how many private residences along the rally route were having front-yard parties to watch the cars go by. We have no way of knowing what those numbers were, but they would certainly add significantly to the total and from what we understand in many cases the visitors came from outside the region.”

Mr Evans congratulated the teams and drivers from more than 15 countries and the more than 1000 volunteer officials plus staff for staging the biggest sports event the region has seen.

“It’s been a magnificent event. Rally Australia will be back in 2011 and it will be an even better event,” he said.

PWRC Round Up

Posted: September 6, 2009 10:24 PM

Munchi's make point as Villagra takes eighth in Australia

Posted: September 6, 2009 10:12 PM

Munchi’s Ford WRT driver Federico Villagra scored his fifth points finish of the season taking an impressive eighth place overall at Repco Rally Australia, round 10 of the FIA World Rally Championship.   This helps cement his place in the top ten of the Drivers’ Championship going into the final event of his eight-rally campaign in Spain next month.  

Moving from its Western Australia base to the town of Kingscliff on the Aussie Gold Coast, the all-new Rally Australia had a host of challenges for the drivers over 344.72kms of competitive stages.  From the six Super Special Stages on the Tarmac of Murwillumbah, to the slippery loose-gravel roads around the Tweed and Kyogle Shires of northern New South Wales, the rally was not lacking in excitement for the 40 crews taking part.  

The experienced Argentine and co-driver Jorge Perez Companc produced a steady and consistent performance over the energy-sapping 35-stage rally, concentrating on matching themselves against the other Ford Focus RS WRCs of Stobart VK M-Sport Ford drivers Matthew Wilson and Henning Solberg.  

After the high-octane tour of the town of Murwillumbah on Thursday night where the rally kicked off with two TarmacSuper Special Stages, the real action began on Friday morning on the high-speed gravel roads to the west of Rally HQ in Kingscliff.  

Villagra worked on the set-up of his car over the morning stages to allow him maximum stability on the high-speed tests.  He remained in his overnight position of eighth place but stayed in touch with Wilson and Solberg just ahead.  During the midday service on Day 1 he made changes to the springs and differential map which helped him to push in some of the repeat passes of the stages.  

While other crews struggled with the wet and slippery road surface caused by overnight rain on Day 2, Villagra concentrated on staying on the road and getting the best out of his car in the tricky conditions. At the end of the second day he had maintained his place in the points and, lying just over a minute behind young-gun Wilson, was in a position to push on the final morning to improve his overall standing.  

The seven-time Argentine champion was not alone in struggling to find his rhythm on Sunday morning as the loose-gravel surface of the stages around the town of Kyogle made it hard to find grip.  Pacenote accuracy was essential throughout the rally due to its brand new format, but Villagra struggled with his notes on the first loop of stages.  

Having made some improvements he pushed hard on the second pass, spurred on by the problems of Solberg just ahead of him and on SS33 Gondwana, Villagra moved up to seventh place as Solberg spun his car losing valuable time.  The pair battled for seventh place on the final and longest stage of the rally SS35 Repco but it was the Norwegian who eventually came out on top, posting an extremely impressive time which saw him move ahead.  

With 15 points from the seven events that he has contested this season, Villagra is already sure of taking his best ever finish in the FIA World Rally Championship but, with two fourth-place finishes already under his belt this year, he will be looking to emulate that in his final event of the year in Spain.  

Munchi’s Ford WRT driver Federico Villagra said:
“We have had a good weekend and it has been a great rally, but it has also been very difficult.  The first pass was very slippery and it was difficult to find traction; but when we made some changes to the diff map we found some really positive improvements to the grip.  It’s really been a problem-free run for us and it has enabled me to concentrate on finding the areas where I can be faster.   

“We tried to push a bit more on the second pass and that worked well and when we did push more our times were actually quite good; we were even able to compare some stages closely to Matthew and Henning.”

Stewards Decision

Posted: September 6, 2009 3:51 PM

HIRVONEN PROMOTED TO RALLY AUSTRALIA VICTORY AFTER CITROENS PENALISED

Posted: September 6, 2009 3:49 PM

FORD driver Mikko Hirvonen has extended his lead in the World Rally Championship after a stewards’ decision demoted Citroen’s Sebastien Loeb to second place, almost six hours after the official finish of Repco Rally Australia today.

Loeb had been declared the winner, but tonight the stewards imposed a one-minute penalty on the time of the 1# Citroen after finding it had front suspension parts that did not comply with the homologation records for the car.

They imposed the same penalty on the Citroen C4 WRCs of teammate Dani Sordo and Citroen Junior team driver Sebastien Ogier after the team verified they also had the same parts, described as front anti-roll bar links that were longer and required additional notches.

The Citroen team did not appeal the decision.

The decision had the effect of reversing the original 1-2 finishing positions and, instead of Hirvonen leading Loeb by one point in the Drivers’ standing, he now has a five-point break with just two rounds remaining in the 2009 FIA WRC.

Sordo remains in third, but Ogier surrendered fourth place to Hirvonen’s BP Ford Abu Dhabi teammate Jari-Matti Latvala.

Results

Posted: September 6, 2009 3:47 PM

1. M Hirvonen/J Lehtinen FIN Ford Focus RS 2hr 53min 06.5sec
2. S Loeb/D Elena FRA Citroen C4 2hr 53min 54.0sec
3. D Sordo/M Marti ESP Citroen C4 2hr 54min 11.1sec
4. J-M Latvala/M Anttila FIN Ford Focus RS 2hr 54min 58.5sec
5. S Ogier/J Ingrassia FRA Citroen C4 2hr 55min 29.8sec
6. M Wilson/S Martin GBR Ford Focus RS 2hr 58min 32.8sec
7. H Solberg/C Menkerud NOR Ford Focus RS 3hr 00min 24.3sec
8. F Villagra/J Perez Companc ARG Ford Focus RS 3hr 00min 45.9sec
9. H Paddon/J Kennard NZL Mitsubishi Lancer 3hr 08min 42.6sec
10 M Prokop/J Tomanek CZE Mitsubishi Lancer 3hr 08min 51.2sec

Irish Crew Rally take part in Rally Australi

Posted: September 4, 2009 8:32 AM

Charlie Drake and co-driver Eoin Moynihan take part in Rally Australia

P-WRC Preview

Posted: September 1, 2009 8:25 PM

Wilson aims to emulate English Ashes success in Australia

Posted: September 1, 2009 8:22 PM

Proud Brits Matthew Wilson and Scott Martin grabbed the chance to celebrate England’s Ashes victory on Aussie turf as they visited the Sydney Opera House on Sunday ahead of this week’s Repco Rally Australia.  The Stobart VK M-Sport Ford duo donned England cricket caps during a whirlwind visit to the city as they aim to repeat the success of the cricket team when they fly the flag for Britain in the latest round of the FIA World Rally Championship.  

Along with team mates Henning Solberg and Cato Menkerud, Wilson and Martin were part of a group of WRC stars taking time out from their preparations for the rally, which kicks off on Thursday night, to see some of Australia’s most famous sights.  

As well as taking in some of Sydney’s most iconic views, such as the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge from dry land, the drivers couldn’t miss the chance to take a high-speed tour of Sydney Harbour enjoying a thrilling jet boat ride to get a unique view of the city from the water.  

The new-look Rally Australia takes place on the Gold Coast, 850kms north of Sydney, with the Service Park for the event based on the beach-side. While the drivers won’t have much time to enjoy the surroundings during the rally, they were treated to a taste of Aussie beach life as they headed to the world famous Bondi Beach, where they were challenged to a volleyball match by the local lifeguards.  

After a hectic day of sightseeing, the drivers now make the journey north to Rally HQ in Kingscliff starting their preparations for the rally with the recce which starts on Tuesday.  

Stobart VK M-Sport Ford driver Matthew Wilson said:
“Sydney is a fantastic city and it was great to be able to come here and have a look around before we head north for the rally.  The jet boat ride and the volleyball on Bondi Beach definitely helped to clear away the jet lag and we had a brilliant time playing against the lifeguards.  I’m looking forward to the rally now and both Scott and myself are really up for the challenge that these fast, gravel stages have to offer.”

Citroen Previews

Posted: September 1, 2009 7:49 PM

Stobart stars anticipate Antipodean adventure

Posted: September 1, 2009 7:37 PM

Stobart VK M-Sport Ford drivers Matthew Wilson and Henning Solberg are looking forward to an exciting new challenge Down Under next week as the FIA World Rally Championship moves towards its climax at Rally Australia.   With positions in the Drivers’ Championship still up for grabs, a strong points finish will be essential for the Stobart Ford Focus RS WRCs with just two rounds remaining in Spain and Great Britain after the long-haul event.  

The WRC is making its hotly-anticipated return to Australia for the first time since 2006.  With a new Gold Coast venue 4000kms east of its previous home in Perth, the revamped rally will provide a new challenge for all of the 44 entered crews, with a staggering 35 stages, more than any other rally this season, included on the itinerary.  

The new-look event will be based around the Tweed and Kyogle Shires in the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales.  A beach-front Service Park in the town of Kingscliff will act as the base for the teams, while the 344.72kms of competitive stages will take place on the loose gravel roads of the region producing a high-speed spectacle for the Australian fans.  

The new format includes an exciting sealed-surface Super Special Stage where three cars at a time will run on the 2.55km course bringing the thrilling spectacle of night time rallying to the town of Murwillumbah on three nights of the rally.  With two passes over the stage on the opening night it will be the first time that a rally has run two stages on a Thursday evening this season.  

After a disappointing result due to a suspension breakage in the last round of the championship, Rally Finland, Solberg and co-driver Cato Menkerud will be looking to strengthen their position in the Drivers’ Championship and again challenge for a podium place.  The absence of Solberg’s brother Petter from proceedings gives him the perfect opportunity to consolidate his fantastic fifth place in the standings which would mark his best ever season in the WRC.  

Meanwhile, Wilson and co-driver Scott Martin have only failed to finish in one round of the championship so far this season in their Ford Focus RS WRC, taking top-eight finishes in seven events, and will be looking to maintain their consistent record in Australia.  In his only previous outing in the rally in 2006 Wilson finished 26th.  But he will be aiming considerably higher than that this time around as he chases down Petter Solberg in the drivers’ standings.  

The rally kicks off on Thursday night with two runs over the Kyogle Super Special Stage and a packed crowd is expected to turn out to watch on the specially designed Murwillumbah track.  On Friday morning the crews head west of Service Park where they face 11 stages before returning to Murwillumbah for two more passes over the Super Special Stage taking the day’s total to 106.79kms.  

Saturday’s 113.45km of competitive stages are based around Kyogle and the Stobart crews will again be relying upon the Pirelli Scorpion control gravel tyre to sweep the expected loose gravel from the roads.  

At 124.48kms Day Three is, unusually, the longest of the rally with the action taking place west of Service Park around the town of Bonalbo.  The final day includes a remote service and two passes over the longest stage of the rally, the 21.52km Castrol Edge West before the official live televised finish in Kingscliff.  

Stobart VK M-Sport Ford team news since Rally Finland
Henning Solberg and Cato Menkerud embarked on a roadshow with sponsors Expert, meeting competition winners and taking part in store promotions throughout Norway while continuing to work on their fitness in preparation for Rally Australia.  

Having spent the run-up to Rally Finland taking part in an arduous cycling ride in the French Alps, Matthew Wilson and Scott Martin have used the break between rallies to recharge their batteries in preparation for what is set to be a thrilling climax to the season.  

Both crews will make a stop in Sydney, before heading north to the Gold Coast, where they will take part in some tourist activities planned by the rally organisers including a visit to the Sydney Opera House, a jet boat tour of the harbour and a beach volleyball tournament against some of the lifeguards on Bondi Beach.  

Stobart VK M-Sport Ford driver Matthew Wilson said:
“It’s a completely new rally so it’s going to be really exciting but with 35 stages it’s going to be a pretty challenging weekend for us.  We haven’t seen a rally with that many stages for a while so it’s definitely going to be different.  I have done Rally Australia before, but it will be a new experience for Scott [Martin] and being in a new venue it will be a great challenge for us both as a team.  From what we have heard that are some great, flowing stages, with wide, fast roads so I’m really looking forward to seeing them on the recce.”  

Stobart VK M-Sport Ford driver Henning Solberg said:
“I really enjoy the fast gravel rallies and from competing in Australia before I know that I enjoy it there. I had an accident there last time so I really don’t want a repeat of that.  I hope that I can achieve another top-five finish as, with Petter not competing in Australia, that would help my position in the drivers’ standings; so I need to make the most of his absence and score good points.  I have had a lot of bad luck recently, and I know that anything can happen, but I hope that it is my turn to have some good luck.”  

Stobart VK M-Sport Ford team principal Malcolm Wilson said:
“The long haul events always provide an extra buzz for the drivers and teams and it will be fantastic to be back competing in Australia after a two-year break.  I’m expecting it to be a real challenge for the Stobart crews but both Matthew and Henning have gone well on new events this year with Henning collecting a podium on the new round in Poland.  With the championship battle hotting up, securing a strong points haul from this rally will be more important than ever.”  

FEDERAL COURT DISMISSES BID TO STOP RALLY AUSTRALIA

Posted: September 1, 2009 7:35 PM

THE Federal Court in Sydney today dismissed a last-minute attempt to stop next week's Repco Rally Australia.

The court held an urgent hearing to hear an application for an injunction by Ms Katie Milne, a Tweed Shire Councillor.

After Ms Milne's representative had presented her case, Justice Stone dismissed the application because Ms Milne's case was without merit.

Garry Connelly, the Chairman of Rally Australia's organising committee, said he was not surprised by the result.

"We have always complied with all laws and have spent a lot of time and effort to achieve the highest environmental standards," Mr Connelly said.

He said that Rally Australia would now continue working to bring a world class event to the Northern Rivers on 3-6 September.

45 CARS, 16 NATIONALITIES, 7 CAR BRANDS PLUS LOCAL HEROES ON THE START LIST FOR REPCO RALLY AUSTRALIA

Posted: August 21, 2009 10:25 PM

FORTY-FIVE cars in the hands of many of the world’s best drivers will start in the inaugural Repco Rally Australia next month – and the field includes a strong line-up of Australians determined to prove their speed in the sport’s ultimate arena.

Five-time World Rally Champion Sebastien Loeb, driving for Citroen, and Ford’s current championship leader Mikko Hirvonen top the list of 27 international entries, while the 18 Australian-based entries include multiple national champions Neal Bates and Cody Crocker

In all, the drivers will represent 16 countries and drive seven different brands of car.

Rally Australia Chairman Alan Evans said the entry list confirmed the New South Wales Northern Rivers would host a truly world-class sporting spectacle on 3-6 September.

“Repco Rally Australia is going to showcase the world’s best rally drivers and cars and the magnificent natural beauty and attractions of the Tweed and Kyogle shires,” Mr Evans said.

“It will be an unforgettable experience for spectators and a major boost for the local economy, which has never experienced an event of this significance. Tens of millions of people around the world will follow it on nightly television.”

After nine rounds of the 2009 FIA World Rally Championship, Finnish star Hirvonen holds the lead in the drivers’ standings by just three points from Loeb. A good result in Australia will be critical to both, with only two rounds to follow to the conclusion of the championship.

Citroen Total World Rally Team leads BP Ford Abu Dhabi Rally Team in the manufacturers’ championship.

Bates’ last-minute entry in a Toyota Australia-backed Corolla S2000 promises to be a highlight for local fans.

Developed by his Canberra-based team, the all-wheel drive Corolla won the 2007 and 2008 Australian Rally Championships, but has only just received technical approval (homologation) to compete at international level.

Bates, a four-time Australian champion with co-driver Coral Taylor, has been given a wildcard entry by the rally organisers, allowing him to score points in the Production World Rally Championship.

He hopes a strong performance will result in international sales for his unique Toyota.

The team will run a second, identical car for Queensland-based Briton Stewart Reid.

A second P-WRC wildcard has been given to Crocker, Australia’s most successful current driver, who has won three straight Australian Championships followed by three FIA Asia Pacfic Rally Championships in Subaru Imprezas.

Other Australians will be competing as privateers, in the Production World Rally Championship, in the Pirelli Star Driver shootout and in the National Division for Australian-specification cars.

The nine manufacturer drivers at the head of the Repco Rally Australia field are, Loeb and Dani Sordo (Citroen Total World Rally Team), Hirvonen and Jari-Matti Latvala (BP Ford Abu Dhabi World Rally Team), Matthew Wilson and Henning solberg (Stobart VK M-Sport Ford Rally Team), Conrad Rautenbach and Sebastien Ogier (Citroen Junior Team) and Federico Villagra (Munchi’s Ford World Rally Team).

Full Entry List:

RALLY AUSTRALIA INITIATIVE TO HELP YOUNG DRIVERS IN TWEED AND KYOGLE

Posted: August 21, 2009 11:58 AM

YOUNG people in Tweed and Kyogle shires will learn how to be safer drivers in a special free initiative organised by Repco Rally Australia next week.

Participants are being sought for the CAMS Ignition Program, to be run at Murwillumbah Showgrounds on Saturday 29 August and at the Kyogle Memorial Institute Hall on Sunday 30 August.

Developed by the national motorsport governing body CAMS and training company Murcotts Driving Excellence and supported by NRMA Motoring and Services, the courses will be open to pre-learners, learners and P-plate drivers.

Parents also will be encouraged to participate.
The courses aim to educate young drivers about safe-driving attitudes and practices, highlighting the benefits of motoring events organised by around 400 CAMS-affiliated car clubs in developing safer, better drivers.

Rally Australia organising committee chairman Garry Connelly said events such as the World Rally Championship round on 3-6 September provided an opportunity to focus young people’s minds on cars and driving.

“The CAMS Ignition Program provides an opportunity for communities to work with CAMS and its 400 member clubs to redirect youth desire for fun in cars towards motoring activities in a safe and controlled environment, while promoting socially-responsible driving and vehicle use,” he said.

“The Rally Australia CAMS Ignition Program is designed to enhance club-related road safety activities through a balance of driver education and knowledge transfer.”

Next week’s courses will be run by a senior training consultant from Murcotts Driving Excellence and also feature the involvement of a leading rally driver with experience in the CAMS-affiliated club system.

CAMS Ignition Program components include -

Discussions on road safety topics
Estimating speed, braking distances, human reaction times, visual perception and risk assessment
Insights into young driver crash types and causes
Risk of drugs, alcohol, fatigue and distractions
Practical demonstrations and simulated activities
Driver and road user safety materials


The courses do not require any driving by participants.

All participants will receive a CAMS-Murcotts Driving Excellent Certificate of Participation on completion of the course. Lunch will be provided.

More Details:

FUTURE CHAMPIONS FIGHT FOR RICH PIRELLI STAR DRIVER PRIZE AT REPCO RALLY AUSTRALIA

Posted: August 19, 2009 9:59 AM

WHILE Miko Hirvonen and Sebastien Loeb battle out the 2009 World Rally Championship at next month’s Repco Rally Australia, the prize of a lifetime awaits one of six young would-be contenders for a future crown.

The six, including four Australians, are Asia Pacific finalists in the Pirelli Star Driver program and will contest a winner-take-all shootout on day one of the 3-6 September Rally Australia in the New South Wales Northern Rivers.

The winner will take his place beside four other drivers aged under 28 in an exclusive WRC driver development program next year supported by the championship’s official tyre supplier, Pirelli.

In collaboration with the world motorsport governing body the FIA, the Italian manufacturer aims to kick-start the drivers’ international careers.

It’s the ultimate zero-to-hero boost for young rally hopefuls with talent but limited funds to make the leap from relative obscurity to the world stage in a single step.

The selection of drivers takes place across four continents and 30 countries, with winners whittled down to just five from Africa, the Asia Pacific, Middle East and two from Europe.

Each scores a fully-supported drive in a turbocharged, four-wheel-drive Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X Group N car, tackling six rounds of the 2010 Production World Rally Championship.

The prize also involves a full physical training and nutrition program, media training and career management at Edinburgh University in the UK. While no official value is put on the package, it’s estimated to be worth around $1 million – and priceless to the young stars it assists.

The shootout at Repco Rally Australia follows qualification rounds at the New Caledonia Rally, Rally Queensland, Rally of Whangarei in New Zealand, Rally Malaysia and Rally Hokkaido, Japan.

The Australian contingent comprises the qualifiers from Rally Queensland, Brendan Reeves and Eli Evans, and wildcard entrants Nathan Quinn and Glen Raymond.

As well as each other, they’ll be up against Haydon Paddon from New Zealand and Chaodong Lui from China.

All will contest the Thursday night and Friday day stages of Repco Rally Australia, but the winner won’t be chosen on stage results alone.

(Raymond and Evans will end their Rally Australia at this point, but the others will contest the fully event.)

Each also will be assessed by an expert international judging panel, which will review other factors such as their approach to the sport, media ability and personal presentation.

Pirelli further enhances the support of the young drivers in the Pirelli Star Driver program with a $6000 budget for the three overseas entries in the shootout. The Australian qualifiers receive $1700 and the two wild-carded Aussies must get to the rally at their own expense.

Additionally, all receive a free entry.

FRINGE FESTIVAL READY TO ROLL AS RALLY AUSTRALIA BRINGS INTERNATIONAL SPOTLIGHT ON KYOGLE

Posted: August 19, 2009 9:58 AM

THE northern New South Wales regional town of Kyogle will come under an international spotlight next month when its local culture, produce and entertainment are showcased during Repco Rally Australia.

Complementing the World Rally Championship event to be run on roads around Kyogle on 3-6 September, the Kyogle Fringe Festival will present a host of activities and attractions for locals, tourists, families and competitors.

Cultural tours, parades, fashion shows, food, movies and markets are just some of the attractions that will bring the Kyogle area alive as it gets its chance to shine during the international rally.

Readily accessible from Brisbane on the Mount Lindesay Highway through Beaudesert, Kyogle is set to star with the running of the final rally stage on domestic and international live television.

Rally Australia Chairman Alan Evans has praised the efforts of Kyogle in organising the festival and recognising the opportunities presented by the presence of the rally.

“We are very excited at the prospect of being involved with the community. We have seen Kyogle embrace Repco Rally Australia and this Fringe Festival should bring together locals, tourists, families and fans of the rally together in a happy atmosphere with many different attractions,” he said.

“We would like to congratulate the community as a whole for developing ideas and projects that will demonstrate what the region has to offer, while supporting the local area as people from all around the world converge there.”

Running the entire week leading up to and during Repco Rally Australia, the Kyogle Fringe Festival includes cultural tours with Bundjalahm and an Anglican Church Spring Summer Fashion Parade showcasing clothing labels available in Kyogle, including RM Williams, Paul Ryan, Philosophy, Orientique, Evene, RTM, Miss Me and Go Girl.

Legacy Week will offer nightly meal deals for rally visitors at the Kyogle Anglican Church, while Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights will play host to a movie marathon showing the Mad Max trilogy and Eric Bana’s Love the Beast, along with the regular scheduled films GI Joe and Public Enemy.

At the weekend, a farmers and craft market will lead up to the Kyogle Fringe Festival’s main event, the Saturday night Glitz, Glamour and Gourmet regional food showcase and Les Girls Cabaret.

The regional food showcase will feature local products such as veal, pork, rabbit, dukka and macadamias, which will be transformed into gourmet delights.

The Glitz and Glamour will arrive courtesy of two stars from the original Sydney Les Girls show, who will team up with Kyogle’s own “Calendar Boys” in outfits by Michael Gates, wig designer for Pricilla Queen of the Desert.

The live band, dancing and cabaret will be held at the Kyogle Bowling Club, with $90 tickets including free champagne, a three-course meal and show. Tables of 10 are available.

Sunday promises to be one of the biggest days on record for the Kyogle community.

A party in the main street, Summerland Way, featuring an entertainment stage, business expo, food stalls and a “Wheels of Time” vehicle display will complement the intense activity of the remote service park, where surviving crews will prepare their cars for the final, and possibly deciding, stages of the rally.

A full list of activities, plus ticket booking and reservation contacts, is available at www.kyoglefringefestival.com.

Spectator camping will be available with fees ranging from $20 to $50 a night for bring-your-own accommodation or pre-erected hire tents. Camping fees include a reusable water bottle to help reduce landfill during the event, shuttle bus service on Friday and Saturday nights and a novelty torch.

More Details:

LAST CHANCE FOR VOLUNTEERS TO BE PART OF REPCO RALLY AUSTRALIA

Posted: August 13, 2009 9:19 PM

RALLY enthusiasts keen to be part of Repco Rally Australia have only four days to sign up for one of the remaining volunteer positions.

Volunteering is a rare and exciting opportunity for members of the community, including local residents, to be involved in the running of a major world championship event.

Few people will get closer to the rally action and some of the best drivers in the World Rally Championship than the many volunteers; Repco Rally Australia has opportunities in the areas of stage security, service park officials, environmental guardians and spectator services.

As officials on the stages or in the service park, volunteers will get an “insider’s” experience of the staging of a World Rally Championship round and carry on the proud Aussie tradition of volunteering for major community events.

All volunteers receive an official Repco Rally Australia shirt and hat and free spectator access to the nightly Tweed Super Special Stage in Murwillumbah and one daytime rural spectator point, when their position allows.

Experience is not necessary, as each post has a team leader who coordinates and trains officials in their roles.

Volunteers must be over 16 years of age and available for at least two days of the three-day event.

Volunteer registration for Repco Rally Australia closes next Monday, 17 August, at 5 pm.

Interested people should register on-line at

Petter Solberg not going to Australia

Posted: August 12, 2009 4:01 PM

Petter Solberg World Rally Team will not compete in Australia.

On this website, Petter said: "- We decided that we will not attend the Rally Australia. It is our opinion that we will not be competitive enough to challenge for a podium, instead we will use the time to prepare in the best way for the two remaining events, Spain and Wales, and also continue working on our plans for next season, explains Team Manager Ken Rees. - We think it is better to put all our effort into preparing for the two last events of the season."

The next event for Petter Solberg World Rally Team will be Rally of Spain, 2 - 4 October 2009.

New Location for Rally Australia

Posted: August 12, 2009 3:58 PM

Repco Rally Australia, the tenth Round of the FIA World Rally Championship, will see the first running of this prestigious event on the East Coast of Australia.

Over four days and nights the rally will take competitors across 35 Stages giving 340 competitive kilometres in the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales.

More Details on Event website:

Event Website / Details

Posted: January 1, 2009 12:01 AM

Topics: AUSTRALIA  World Rally Championship 

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