Rally Australia Has A New Home !

[joelstrick]

Okay here it is

You read it hear first !!!!! Exclusive to you all and those who read www.rally.com.au

Exclusive- Rally Australia’s New Home Revealed !!!!!

After more than 12 months of speculation on the future of Australia’s Round of the World Rally Championship it can be revealed exclusively that the event has found a new home in Queensland, to be based within 50 kilometres of Brisbane. rally.com.au received confirmation earlier this afternoon that CAMS has sent word to the FIA that it has secured a long-term agreement with a local promoter.

The future of Rally Australia was originally thrown into turmoil when it was unceremoniously dumped by the West Australian Government in early 2005, the organisers and local Government sighting return on investment as the key factor in its decision to discard the event. Under the existing contract with CAMS the event was obliged to continue to run for both 2005, and 2006 unless a new home was found in the interim.

While speculation and rumour have abounded during that time, with Queensland and ACT consistently regarded as the front-runners, specific updates or details have been few and far between.

Australian Rally Commission Chairman Garry Connelly had indicated earlier this year that he was hopeful of an Easter announcement, however with that date coming and going Connelly remained quietly confident whenever questioned on the topic that a new location for the event would be found.

The confirmation this afternoon that the event will be based in the South-East corner of Queensland comes as a significant boost to the sport. With details still relatively light on, it can be revealed that the new event will run from 2007 onwards, although this is subject to FIA calendaring, and that the current agreement is set for 5-years with two further 5-year options.

The most intriguing detail though concerns the precise location of the base for the rally and the proposed stages. The statement delivered to rally.com.au specified a new, permanent facility within 50 kilometres of Brisbane; however actual details are still to be announced.

It has long been assumed that the event would utilize forestry stages in and around and Sunshine Coast’s Glass House Mountains. Therefore it is within reason that the event could be staged from of one of Brisbane’s outer major centers, for instance Caboolture, which would place it well within easy drive of both the CBD and the Sunshine Coast forests.

Full details are expected to be delivered to the rallying world’s media at the final Rally Australia in Western Australia in late October.

[KamikazeR33]

kool

[Starionturbo]

Thats the worst news I heard. It was so damn awesome when it was in Perth, the specators loved it and the drivers even loved it. It will be a big blow to Western Australia. Heres a pic of me 4 years ago with Tommi Makkinens Subaru in 2002 just before he was about to launch off into a stage -

Rest of those pics I took are here -

http://www.boostcruising.com/forums/index....ic=2529&hl=

I bet in QLD you could never get THAT close to the action!

Regards

Kim

[Links]

All I can say - atleast they have kept the rally here.. for a while it was looking like it would go from australia completely..

[joelstrick]

Thats the worst news I heard. It was so damn awesome when it was in Perth, the specators loved it and the drivers even loved it. It will be a big blow to Western Australia.

Ah big blow to WA ? Um NOT !!!!

WA gave the event UP !!!! they said they didnt want it anymore. So this why they have been trying to find a home for this long as the stupid WA government didnt think they it was good for the state anymore.

I think it is awesome that it is now on the east coast of Australia as more people will be able to attend and i think we see the sport grow as result

[sickem555]

At least it is a bit closer to home

Cheers

Andrew

[djr81]

Ah big blow to WA ? Um NOT !!!!

WA gave the event UP !!!! they said they didnt want it anymore. So this why they have been trying to find a home for this long as the stupid WA government didnt think they it was good for the state anymore.

I think it is awesome that it is now on the east coast of Australia as more people will be able to attend and i think we see the sport grow as result

Just to be clear, the people protesting infront of parliament house wanted the rally to continue.

The thousands of spectators who attended the race every year wanted it to continue.

The organisers wanted it to continue.

The competitors wanted it to continue.

The local communities wanted it to continue.

The only people who were not interested were our incompetent, out of touch, inept State Government. If there is any justice in the world at the next election they will not continue.

[joelstrick]

At least it is a bit closer to home

Cheers

Andrew

Exactly no more red eye flight

[sickem555]

Exactly no more red eye flight

Age and myself would like to know if ur need of a couple of apprentices for the next event.

I had to ask

Cheers

Andrew

[_8OO5TED_]

So can QLD provide the FIA rally of the year like WA has done for several years?! Good luck to them, its a hard act to follow.

Useless WA Govt....

[Starionturbo]

Yes thats right it was the WA state government that didnt want it.

I dont think there is or will be any better rally stages than the ones like the Southern WA forests. It was a true purpose only Rally location.

It will be a tough act to follow, Im glad I was able to go to 3 Rally Australias because I know QLD would never be able to provide similar roads and atmosphere.

[dan_the_man]

yeah QLD is full of total fags and weirdos. what a shame

lol jks. i love u qld

[djr81]

Yes thats right it was the WA state government that didnt want it.

I dont think there is or will be any better rally stages than the ones like the Southern WA forests. It was a true purpose only Rally location.

It will be a tough act to follow, Im glad I was able to go to 3 Rally Australias because I know QLD would never be able to provide similar roads and atmosphere.

It was great to be able to go to just about the only world class event WA had - all this less than 100kms from home & for all of $20 for the day. I am sure the banana benders will do a good job, but you can't match the dirt roads around here. Standing in the middle of a forrest getting covered in dust & having rocks spat at you as the likes of Colin McRae came screaming part but a few metres away.... Nothing else comes close. I have to go now, I am feeling all emotional.

By the way, did I mention how much I hated the state government for doing this?

[phunky_monkey]

QLD hey?? Good stuff, I think I'll have to make the trip