Australia - 11-14 Sep 14

Hyundai Super Special Stage a new challenge for drivers at Rally Australia

Posted: August 8, 2014 11:25 AM

A NEW nighttime Super Special Stage sponsored by Hyundai will bring the thrilling action of the FIA World Rally Championship into the New South Wales city of Coffs Harbour for Coates Hire Rally Australia next 11-14 September.

The Hyundai Super Special Stage will be run on a 1.6 kilometre course adjacent to the Hi-Tec Oils Service Park, three kms south of the city centre, rally organisers announced today.

It is expected to attract thousands of spectators on the Friday and Saturday nights of the rally to see the world’s best drivers tackle a tight and challenging tarmac and gravel layout in the precincts of the C.ex Coffs International Stadium, incorporating the Coffs Harbour Kart Racing Club.

“These will be nights packed with unforgettable entertainment - the Hyundai Super Special Stage will be a must-see highlight of Coates Hire Rally Australia in 2014,” Event Manager David Catchpole said.

“Spectators will be able to get quite close to the action and experience the sight and sound of a World Rally Car at full tilt. I’m sure the course we have developed will provide a terrific challenge for drivers, with the inclusion of several spectacular jumps.”

Mr Catchpole welcomed Hyundai Motor Company Australia as a major new sponsor of Coates Hire Rally Australia.

“It’s very exciting to have Hyundai on board not only as an event sponsor, but also as a participant in the WRC with the Hyundai Shell World Rally Team and Australia’s Chris Atkinson as one of its drivers in September,” Mr Catchpole said.

"Rally Australia will be a highlight of the sporting calendar in 2014 and we're genuinely excited about co-sponsoring this fantastic event," said Hyundai Motor Company Australia Director of Marketing Oliver Mann.

"Having an Aussie driver in our Hyundai i20 WRC car is the icing on the cake - we're looking forward to seeing Chris Atkinson at full speed on this spectacular Super Special Stage."

Leading Australian driver Adrian Coppin tested the Hyundai Super Special Stage today in his Citroen DS3.

“This is going to be real fun for the drivers and spectators,” Coppin said.

“It’s quite tight and challenging and will keep us very busy. Each driver gets to do two laps, so there will be constant action to entertain the crowds.”

The Hyundai Super Special Stage will be one of many experiences rally fans can enjoy. The Hi-Tec Oils Service Park at the C.ex Coffs International Stadium in Hogbin Drive, with free public entry throughout the rally, will be alive with constant activity.

It will be the base for up to 80 cars contesting the WRC, East Coast Bullbars Australian Rally Championship and supporting events such as the Pedders Australian Off Road Championship. Fans will be able to see the cars being serviced and repaired, catch the drivers for autographs, buy souvenirs, watch big-screen stage action, enjoy live entertainment and buy food and drink.

It will be an easy walk between the Hyundai Super Special Stage and the Hi-Tec Oils Service Park and ample parking will be available in the stadium grounds,

The daytime Special Stages will be run on forestry and shire roads in the Coffs Coast region to the north, west and south of the Service Park.

Spectator tickets for Coates Hire Rally Australia, including the Hyundai Super Special Stage, will be on sale soon through NRMAtix.

Coffs International Stadium to host new 2014 Service Park

Posted: August 8, 2014 11:16 AM

THE stars and cars of the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) will be based at a new location at the C.ex Coffs International Stadium when Coates Hire Rally Australia returns to the New South Wales Coffs Coast on 11-14 September.

Up to 100 cars from the WRC, East Coast Bull Bars Australian Rally Championship and supporting categories will set up their temporary garages, workshops and team headquarters in the new rally Service Park, Event Manager David Catchpole announced today.

The area, where exotic rally cars from around the world will be replenished and repaired between competition stages in the Coffs Coast hinterland, will be open for free entry by the public, who also will be able to enjoy daily and nightly entertainment.

“The C.ex Coffs International Stadium Service Park will be only three kilometres from our previous location, but will provide many advantages,” Mr Catchpole said.

“We will have a greater hard stand area to accommodate the rally cars in all weathers, the site layout will be more effective, our set-up costs will be significantly less and access via the Pacific Highway for spectators, competitors and media heading to the Special Stages will be much easier,” he said.

“This important enhancement to the event design will go hand-in-hand with a very exciting new course for the Super Special Stage in Coffs Harbour, which we will announce as soon as all planning and agreements are finalised.

“I’m pleased to add that our agreement with the Coffs Harbour City Council to use C.ex Coffs International Stadium will be for two years.

“Rally Australia is grateful to the council led by Mayor Denise Knight for this new agreement and for the strong partnership, along with the New South Wales Government, we have in bringing one of the world’s greatest motorsport spectacles to the Coffs Coast.”

Coffs Harbour MP Andrew Fraser said the new Service Park would be better for competitors and spectators.

“The C.ex Coffs International Stadium is a magnificent multisport facility and is well set up to accommodate the World Rally Championship,” he said.

“The New South Wales Government supports Rally Australia to bring significant economic benefit and unmatchable global tourism exposure for the Coffs Coast region, so any move such as this which enhances the experience of visitors is very valuable.

“As a rally fan, I can’t wait for the WRC stars and cars to land in Coffs again.”

Coffs Harbour Mayor Councillor Denise Knight welcomed the decision to use C.ex Coffs International Stadium.

“The rally is going from strength to strength and it is nice to know that as the event expands that there are facilities right here in Coffs Harbour that can continue to accommodate this world-class event,” Cr Knight said.

C.ex Coffs International Stadium Chief Executive John Rafferty also welcomed Rally Australia’s move.

“C.ex Coffs International Stadium is a world-class hub for many major sports in the region and, while it has seen many great spectacles, the World Rally Championship undoubtedly will be the highlight,” he said.

“We’re proud of this venue and its facilities and look forward to hosting not only the teams, but also the thousands of visiting spectators.”

Mr Catchpole said only the parking areas and hockey field on the 2.3 hectare site would be occupied. Design work for the Service Park site was under way, but construction would not need to start until around three weeks before the rally.

Rally Australia returns to Opal Cove HQ for 2014 WRC

Posted: August 8, 2014 11:15 AM

RALLY Australia will again have its headquarters at Opal Cove Resort when the FIA World Rally Championship round returns to the New South Wales Coffs Coast on 11-14 September.

The ocean-front resort, seven kilometres north of the Coffs Harbour city centre, was home to the event also in 2011 and 2013.

Event Manager David Catchpole said the resort would play a central part in the rally, hosting not only the sporting and administration operations, but also many of the international drivers and team members.

"Opal Cove Resort fits our requirements ideally as a venue that provides not only superb working facilities for sporting officials, management, police and emergency services and government representatives, but also superior guest accommodation and a beautiful sub-tropical setting," Mr Catchpole said.

"Rally Australia is delighted to be returning to Opal Cove Resort for a third time."

Opal Cove General Manager Guy Perotti said the resort was very proud to have again been appointed Rally HQ.

"The increased business, excitement and entertainment value this International event brings to the Coffs Harbour region is second to none and we are pleased to have our resort associated with this event," Mr Perotti said.

"We at Opal Cove find it a great platform for us to showcase our establishment to both local and international visitors and to potentially attract some follow on business for not only Coffs Harbour, but on the international visitor side, Australia as a whole.”

Opal Cove Resort commands an absolute beachfront position on beautiful Korora Bay and offers guests a chance to unwind amid the sub-tropical scenery of banana plantations and rainforest-covered hills. A full range of sporting facilities includes a par-3 nine-hole golf course, while many other tourist attractions, including wineries, are within an easy drive.

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Posted: August 8, 2014 11:14 AM

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