autoevolution
 

Rally Australia Seeks Annual WRC Event

While not very keen on continuing their relationship with Formula 1 recently, the Australian politicians seem to favor an annual event in the World Rally Championship starting from the very 2012 season.

According to a statement released by Rally Australia chairman Ben Rainsford, the officials of the New South Wales-based event have discussed such a prospect with the FIA President Jean Todt this week, during the latter's visit Down Under. In order to support their proposition, the CAMS (the Confederation of Australian Motor Sport) have assured the FIA boss that all political forces in the country would support an annual WRC event, as would the stakeholders of the event.

Rally Australia has been subject to the FIA's rotation policy in the WRC in recent years, being included in the series' calendar once every two years. This year's Rally Australia is scheduled for September 8-11, counting for the 10th round of the 2011 WRC.

Speculation about the 2012 WRC calendar is certainly premature, with the World Motor Sport Council having deferred its decision until the end of this month,” said Rainsford. “While planning for the 2011 Rally Australia on 8-11 September is progressing rapidly, we are also in active negotiations about 2012 and an annual place on the WRC calendar.

Rally Australia's move to a new home on the Coffs Coast of New South Wales has received an overwhelming welcome from the local population, businesses and authorities.

Combine this with the fact that the Coffs Coast is one of the traditional homes of Australian rallying and has hosted successful international events already, and we are assured of staging a sporting spectacle that more than justifies our place on the WRC calendar into the future.

Rally Australia ran every year in Western Australia between 1988 and 2006 and was hugely successful. We now need the continuity of an annual event in 2012 and beyond to capitalise on the greater opportunities available in our new East Coast home to grow the event and the WRC's following in this region of the world,” he concluded.
If you liked the article, please follow us:  Google News icon Google News Youtube Instagram X (Twitter)
 

Would you like AUTOEVOLUTION to send you notifications?

You will only receive our top stories