Rally News

Bookings for September’s Repco Rally Australia have started flowing in, signally an economic bonanza for Tweed accommodation houses and function venues.

As the official event accommodation providers, the Stella Group’s four Tweed Coast properties – Mantra on Salt Beach, Peppers Salt Resort & Spa, Peppers Bale SALT and BreakFree Paradiso at Kingscliff – are almost fully booked for the entire week surrounding the four-day event which will run from September 3 to 6.

“The Kingscliff and Mantra properties are totally sold out and Peppers and Peppers Bale are around 70% booked,” said Scott O’Neile, Stella’s Regional Sales and Marketing Manager.

“The majority of the officials, sponsors, factory teams and media will be staying with us, as well as many spectators.

“The rally organisers have also booked up all of our function spaces, including the ballroom at Mantra on Salt Beach which will serve as the Media Centre.

“There are still rooms left, however bookings have been coming in fast since Ticketek released tickets to the stages throughout the local area so anyone wanting to stay at Peppers Salt Resort & Spa or Peppers Bale SALT during the event should make their bookings now through the World Rally Championship website.” (www.rallyaustralia.com)

Smaller accommodation providers are also feeling the impact. Julie Mackintosh at the Kingscliff Seaside Guesthouse reports that their luxury suites have been fully booked out for the week by one of the international teams.

According to Tweed Tourism, several large functions have already been confirmed, including one for 200 Pirelli Tyre dealers at Twin Towns on the Saturday of the three-day event.

“In addition to providing a lifeline for the popular Speed on Tweed event, the World Rally Championship will also bring two other major motoring events to the Tweed/Kyogle region,” said Tweed Tourism General Manager, Phil Villiers.

“The Classic Outback Trial will leave Forbes on August 30, travelling through NSW via Coonabarabran and Casino to finish their week-long rally with two days of competition over some of the World Rally Championship special stages.

“They have booked a function for 150 participants at the new Tweed Ultima Conference Centre on the Saturday night, along with accommodation in the Tweed region.

“Organisers of the Australian Tarmac Challenge (formerly known as the Dutton Rally) have positioned the NSW round as the signature event of their 2009 National Series, heading off from Sydney on September 3 and travelling up the coast to compete on the WRC Super Special Stage, followed by a function for 200 people at Signatures Restaurant in Outrigger Twin Towns Resort.”

The Tweed is also set to benefit from international television exposure, with some 180 media representatives expected to fly in from all over the world.

“The Rally will be telecast on 250 networks worldwide, streaming images of the Tweed and Northern NSW to viewers in 180 countries,” said Mr Villiers.

“As such, the media centre at Peppers Salt Resort and Spa will be a hub of activity for journalists, photographers, camera crews and commentators.

“The World Rally Championship is the premier rally event worldwide, watched by more than 816 million people last year, making it the highest profile motorsports after Formula One.

“We are very mindful that people living in the region have differing views on the event, but now that it is a reality we should be doing everything we can to ensure that we get the maximum economic benefit and take full advantage of the worldwide marketing opportunity it offers our region.”

Tickets for the World Rally Championship are now on sale from Ticketek outlets or online at www.ticketek.com.au, with prices starting from $22. Spectators and locals will also be able to be part of all the excitement at the Service Centre which will be set up at the Cudgen Sportsground.

Strong interest in tickets for Repco Rally Australia has forced organisers to urgently boost spectator capacity just a week after tickets first went on sale.

Event organisers have added a new spectator viewing point at Castrol Edge East Special Stage, through which rally cars will race twice on Friday 4 September.

Tickets for the 3-6 September World Rally Championship round in the New South Wales Northern Rivers went on sale on 24 June through Ticketek (ticketek.com.au, ph 132 849).

Interest from spectators keen to see five-world champion Sebastien Loeb, Finnish aces Mikko Hirvonen and Jari-Matti Latvala, Norway’s Petter Solberg and many other of the world’s best rally drivers in action has exceeded expectations.

With the $99 all-stages Event Super Pass proving the most popular ticket, organisers have had to urgently create extra spectator viewing capacity on Castrol Edge East, the setting for Special Stages nine and 10, on Reserve Creek Road about 20 kms from rally headquarters at Kingscliff.

“Ticket sales are ahead of our early expectations and continuing strongly every day,” Repco Rally Australia Chairman Alan Evans said.

“Many fans are taking advantage of the excellent value in the $99 Event Super Pass to get in early and make sure they have a spot to see the World Rally Championship for the first time on the eastern side of Australia.

“As soon as it became clear that one of our spots on Friday would fill quickly, we created an additional area on Castrol Edge East and will provide shuttle buses to take spectators in and out.

“This is excellent news. Combined with reports we are receiving about heavy accommodation bookings, the strong early ticket sales give us even more confidence Repco Rally Australia is going to be a big success and a credit to the region and Australia.”

A wide choice of tickets is available, priced from just $22.

Spectator points will be available at various locations on the gravel Special Stages on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

The Tweed Super Special Stage around the streets of Murwillumbah will provide spectacular nighttime viewing on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights for fans who do not wish to venture out to the rural Special Stages.

Prices for the Tweed Super Special stage start from $25, while grandstand seating and corporate entertaining facilities are also available. Sales for the Tweed Super Special Stage have started strongly and fans wanting to secure grandstand seating are encouraged to book early.

Motorsport Safety & Rescue (MSR), Australia’s leading supplier of motorsport medical support, has been appointed the official FIV provider for Repco Rally Australia, round 10 of the 2009 World Rally Championship.

MSR will provide eight First Intervention Vehicles (FIV), two incident control vehicles, and two flight paramedics for the event, to be held in the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales, from September 3-6.

The FIV crews will be located at the start of each special stage and at a midpoint in the longer stages of the rally. The FIV is the first vehicle dispatched in the case of an incident occurring on the special stage requiring medical assistance, or assistance with the vehicle.

Their team, which includes intensive care paramedics, paramedic/rescue officers, medical officers and fire/rescue officers, will attend to crews until handover to the New South Wales Ambulance Service, if further treatment is required.

Managing Director of MSR, Geoff Becker, said that their involvement in Repco Rally Australia was the pinnacle for his team.

“We’re very excited and pleased to be providing our expertise for Repco Rally Australia,” Becker said. “As far as our business is concerned, providing services for a World Rally Championship event is the pinnacle, and we’re looking forward to being involved.

“We will be providing full medical and rescue services for the event, as per FIA requirements.”

MSR have already surveyed much of the route to be used for Rally Australia, and have been liaising closely with Ambulance New South Wales.

Repco Rally Australia’s Clerk of Course, Michelle Gatton, said that MSR was the perfect choice to handle the event’s safety requirements.

“We’re very happy to have engaged MSR to provide our first line medical and rescue services. MSR has provided medical services to many rounds of the Australian Rally Championship and were an obvious choice for Repco Rally Australia,” Gatton said.

The MSR team will be supported by Sabelt, Pirelli, Hema Mapping, BSM Sport and PT Rescue at Rally Australia.

“In particular, we’re pleased to welcome Hema Mapping onboard as sponsors,” Becker said. “Hema will be providing the two incident control vehicles with GPS units which will include an overlay of the course. The benefits of this system is it gives the staff in these vehicles a huge advantage when planning resource deployment to an incident.”

Motorsport Safety & Rescue, a Tasmanian based company, is widely regarded as the leaders in their field. They provide services to many of the country’s leading motorsport events, including the Australian Rally Championship, Targa Tasmania, the Australasian Safari, and Targa West.

Kevin Abbring (NL, Renault) became the youngest winner of a round of the FIA Junior World Rally Championship when at 20 years and 159 days old he sensationally won the 66th Orlen Platinum Rally Poland in his Dutch KNAF Talent First Team Clio R3.

Co-driven by Erwin Mombaerts, Abbring fought a magnificently close and exciting battle with J-WRC leader Michal Kosciuszko (POL, Suzuki), and after two and a half days of competition the pair were separated by just 0.1 seconds after 14 of the 18 special stages. The closest finish in J-WRC history beckoned, but three stages from the finish Kosciuszko hit a tree and retired – which disappointed Abbring, as he wanted to show the world his true talent by fighting all the way to the finish and beating his rival on home ground.

Abbring predicted that Day 1’s stages would suit his Clio R3 – which is 100kgs heavier than Kosciuszko’s nimble Suzuki and has a lower top speed (170kph compared to 181kph). The young Dutchman set an incredible pace, opening up a 27 second advantage at the end of Day 1 to lead the J-WRC for the first time. Abbring admitted to making a few mistakes on the first loop of Day 2, which, combined with a great performance by his rival, saw Kosciuszko go into a 17 second led. An incredibly close battle continued on the fast Mazurian Lakes District gravel stages, before Kosciuszko stopped and secured Abbring his well deserved maiden win.

The previous youngest winner of a J-WRC round was François Duval who, at 22 years and two months old, won the category on the 2002 Rallye Monte Carlo.

Retirement was bitter disappointment for Kosciuszko, who not only lost a potential home win, but with only one nominated rally remaining his J-WRC title hopes have suffered a huge set-back. The 24-year old drove brilliantly all weekend, despite being in a lot of pain after injuring his right hand during a pre-rally test, when he jarred it on a sticking gear lever. With his Swift in a new blue livery (courtesy of new sponsor Verva, one of the largest oil companies in Eastern Europe), Kosciuszko was very much the local star – and whilst he had previously competed on some of the stages, his local knowledge was limited as he lives in Krakow, 600kms away from the rally’s host town of Mikolajki in north east Poland.

Kosciuszko wanted to win and score 10 points, but his main aim was to stay ahead of arch rival Martin Prokop, and whilst he said that 2nd and eight points would be enough he attacked on Day 3 and regained the lead. Fastest times on SS14 and 15 put him 1.8 seconds ahead of Abbring, but on SS16 Kosciuszko hit a rock in the middle of the road, which forced the car off the track and into a tree. It took him two minutes to get going again, but the radiator had been damaged and with water pouring out he retired 1km from the end of the stage when the engine stopped.

Martin Prokop (CZ, Citroën) arrived in Poland needing to finish in the points, and whilst he was in the pull-away top three, the 26-year old had settled for 3rd, as he was unable to take the extra risks required to keep up with Kosciuszko and Abbring. He was pushing hard, as an overshoot when he braked too late for a hairpin on SS10 testified, but the need to score championship points outweighed the temptation to push too hard. He enjoyed a trouble-free event and looked like he might end the rally 12 points behind Kosciuszko (meaning Kosciuszko could potentially win the title on Rally Finland). Instead, Kosciuszko’s demise sees him and Prokop tied on 36 points – although Kosciuszko only has Rally Finland remaining and Prokop can score points in Finland and Spain. Aaron Burkart (who did not nominate Rally Poland in his six
from eight events) can also still win the title.

Yoann Bonato (F, Suzuki) found himself in a lonely 4th for most of the event. He hit a straw bale on SS4, which removed a section of his Swift’s front bodywork, and attacking a deep watersplash too hard on SS9 gave him a cold shower, as water jetted in from holes in the bulkhead. Four minutes behind the car in front and a minute and a half in front of the car behind, Bonato had to maintain his concentration on Day 3, and brought the car home unscathed – despite overshooting a junction on SS15 when he found the overnight rain had made a braking area very muddy. He had long-since settled for 4th, before Kosciuszko’s retirement moved him up to 3rd – allowing him to equal his best J-WRC finish (having finished 3rd in Corsica, 2007).

Hans Weijs Jnr (NL, Citroën) had not driven his C2 since last month’s Rally d’Italia Sardegna and with the wrong set-up he immediately struggled with a lack of grip; even spinning the front wheels in sixth gear on the opening loop of stages.

The Dutch KNAF Talent First Team did a great job to improve the car, and Weijs’ pace increased until he hit a rock in the middle of the road on SS11, breaking a wheel, collecting a puncture and damaging the steering and suspension. He replaced the steering arm on the following road section, but lost time on SS12 and 13 as the front wheels were out of alignment. The team made further set-up changes for Day 3, but heavy overnight rain completely changed the conditions and the car didn’t handle well on the slippery and muddy roads. All he could do was keep the car on the road and aim for a finish, which he did by bringing it home in 4th.

Simone Bertolotti (I, Suzuki) expected Day 1 to be wet and rough and prepared the car accordingly – only to see it slide around on the dry and smooth gravel roads. The 24-year old driver from Piemonte (60kms south of Turin) had never driven on such sandy and fast stages before, and he grew in confidence and speed as the event progressed. He tried to push harder at the beginning of SS15 and almost went off twice, so he eased off and finished a solid 5th.

Pirelli Star Driver finalist Radoslaw Typa (POL, Citroën) was a J-WRC guest driver and keen to gain as much experience as possible. The 26-year old from Orneta started well, but an electrical problem with the fly-by-wire throttle on SS9 cost him time. Fortunately he was carrying the correct spares in the car and replaced the entire throttle body on the following road section. The same problem occurred on Day 3, but he was delighted to finish the event in 6th and score three J-WRC points.

On his first rally since crashing in Sardinia, severe oversteer at the start of Rally Poland wasn’t the confidence boost that Luca Griotti (I, Renault) was hoping for. Having waited his turn queuing for the Day 1 midday Service In control, his Clio’s engine mysteriously refused to restart. He and co-driver Corrado Bonato pushed the car up the sandy incline, frustratingly arriving at the control one minute late – for which they received a 10 second penalty.

Water came into the car at the watersplash on SS9 and the windscreen misted up; when this happened in Portugal he continued and crashed, so this time Griotti wisely stopped to wipe the glass clean. He was 6th when a broken driveshalft stopped him on SS11, and he collected 15 minutes of penalties for not completing three stages. SS16 on Day 3 was his best stage – a little late for a good result in Poland, but in a torrid season it was just what he needed prior to his favourite event, Rally Finland.

Marcin Dobrowolski (POL, Citroën) had to replace his C2’s engine after it blew up on the Shakedown, incurring a five minute penalty. Co-driven by his younger brother Marcin, the 28-year old J-WRC guest driver’s troubled event continued
when an electrical fire stopped him on SS3.

The team managed to repair the car to allow the double Polish Peugeot 206 Cup Champion from Swidnica to start Day 2, albeit 45th on the road and behind slower drivers. A problem with the throttle sensor reduced his C2 to 3,000rpm on SS9, but even with this problem Dobrowolski still overtook four cars on the 30km stage. After the team changed the entire pedal box at the lunchtime service, a water hose came loose on SS11. It dropped onto the exhaust, burnt a hole and when all the water had drained away Dobrowolski was forced to stop with engine problems. He was the only non-finisher from the nine J-WRC starters.

The TRT srl team entry was excused by the stewards and Alessandro Bettega (I, Renault) did not start Rally Poland. In the ASN standings, KNAF Talent First 1 & 2 has increased its four point lead over Czech National Team to 12 points.

1st – Kevin Abbring, Renault Clio R3:
“We tried to push very hard all the way through this rally. It was important to be fast, but it was more important to be clever. I was really happy to be leading on Day 1, but nobody would remember this if we crashed on Day 2, so I drove hard but did not take any risks. I really felt good and the car was working well, even though we were on the rev-limiter on the long straights and losing time to Kosciuszko. I was really sorry to hear that Kosciuszko had stopped, because I would have preferred to have a fight to the end.”

2nd – Martin Prokop, Citroën C2 S1600:
“It was very important for me to finish this rally, far more important than winning it, and we drove with that in mind. The final two rounds of the J-WRC will be very close now, but for sure after Kosciuszko retired and didn’t score any points in Poland, it makes things a lot easier for me. Now I don’t need to win both rallies to take the title, so I’m looking forward to Finland and Spain now.”

3rd – Yoann Bonato, Suzuki Swift S1600:
“I was really expecting to finish fourth in Poland, but I am very happy to be on the podium. It is a very good result for the team and our sponsors and it was important for us to put in a good performance and reach the finish. This rally has been very fast and difficult, and very good training for Rally Finland.”

Ford’s Mikko Hirvonen has taken the lead in the FIA World Rally Championship after winning Rally Poland. It was Ford’s third straight victory following wins in Italy and Greece and Hirvonen now heads the drivers’ standings by one point with four Rounds remaining.

“This has been the best rally of the season so far,” said 28-year-old Hirvonen. “The roads here are fast and narrow and the crowds provided a superb atmosphere. It’s the first time I have won two consecutive rallies and it has put me into the lead of the championship ahead of my home rally in Finland. The weekend was perfect from start to finish.”

“After Loeb’s mistake on Friday, I thought I might have an easy drive but it wasn’t to be. I had to drive flat out yesterday to stay ahead and it’s a fantastic feeling to win after such a great fight.”

This was Poland’s first appearance in the WRC since the inaugural championship in 1973. More than 200,000 fans welcomed its return by swamping the picturesque Mazurian Lake District, 250km from Warsaw in the north-east of the country, to watch the action.

Narrow, sandy and blisteringly fast gravel roads challenged the drivers, who tackled 18 special stages covering 352.00km. Such was the pace that Hirvonen won Friday’s penultimate speed test at an average speed of 129.44kph.

Hirvonen took the lead on the third stage on Friday morning and Latvala claimed second just one test later after Citroen’s Sebastien Loeb, Hirvonen’s title rival, hit a tree stump and broke his car’s suspension.

The Ford duo withstood a determined challenge Saturday morning from third-placed Citroen driver Dani Sordo and measured their pace through Sunday’s final leg until the last-stage drama.

Hirvonen’s team-mate Jari-Matti Latvala was on course for second place in another Focus RS WRC, amazingly only to retire with the finish in sight after hitting a barrel and breaking the car’s steering on the final speed test in the rally’s host town of Mikolajki.

“It was my mistake,” admitted a distraught Latvala. “I wasn’t driving too quickly but I turned into the bend too early and clipped an oil barrel which was full of sand. The impact broke the steering and I couldn’t turn into the next bend and hit the barrier on the opposite side of the road.”

“I’ve let down the team and damaged Ford’s dream of winning the manufacturers’ title this year,” Latvala said.

Sordo, who inherited second, was pleased with his pace over the weekend and reflected on the disappointment for Latvala. “It did show how vital it is to stay focused all the way to the flag if we want to finish on the podium,” he said.
Junior Citroen driver Sebastien Ogier had looked on course for a strong fourth place, prior to the retirement of Latvala, after a weekend long duel with both Petter and Henning Solberg. But the young Frenchman was forced into retirement on the penultimate stage when his Citroen C4’s engine expired.

Petter Solberg, who knew his 2006-spec Citroen Xsara WRC would be unable to match the leading pace setters this weekend, was frustrated to drop behind his older brother Henning after an engine fitting broke loose spraying his windscreen with oil.

With Latvala and Ogier both on the sidelines it would be Henning who would eventually benefit, securing third outright for the Stobart VK Ford team.

In fact it was a bumper weekend for the Stobart squad with Matthew Wilson claiming fifth ahead of Polish local charger Krzysztof Holowczyc in sixth.

A late play of team orders ensured that Sebastien Loeb took some points away from the weekend with Citroen Junior squad team members Conrad Rautenbach and Evgeny Novikov slowed in the final stages to let Loeb claim seventh.

The Championship moves into its final third in Finland next month for one of the sport’s great classics. Rally Finland, the home event for Hirvonen and Latvala, is based in Jyvaskyla on 30 July – 2 August.

Final Placings
1. Mikko Hirvonen (Ford Focus WRC08) 3h07m27.5s
2. Dani Sordo (Citroen C4 WRC) +1m10.3s
3. Henning Solberg (Ford Focus WRC08) +2m05.7s
4. Petter Solberg (Citroen Xsara WRC) +2m24.3s
5. Matthew Wilson (Ford Focus WRC08) +4m17.5s
6. Krzysztof Holowczyc (Ford Focus WRC08) +4m33.9s
7. Sebastien Loeb (Citroen C4 WRC) +19m15.1s
8. Conrad Rautenbach (Citroen C4 WRC) +19m20.6s
9. Evgeny Novikov (Citroen C4 WRC) +19m26.2s
10. Michal Bebenek (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo) +23m08.7s

BP Ford Abu Dhabi driver Mikko Hirvonen is on course to take victory in Rally Poland and the lead in the 2009 FIA World Rally Championship as he prepares for the event’s third and final day today.

After a furious competition on some of the fastest roads in the WRC, Hirvonen holds a 12-second lead over teammate Jari-Matti Latvala while Sebastien Loeb battles in 13th after a day-one crash in his Citroen, now able to do little about the likely loss of his championship lead.

The reversal of positions in the standings promises that the championship battle will be at fever pitch when the WRC tour arrives in the New South Wales Northern Rivers for Repco Rally Australia in 67 days’ time.

Hirvonen and Latvala maintained their overnight Ford one-two formation all through day two, despite a determined challenge from third-placed Citroen Total team driver Dani Sordo.

The Spaniard started the day 28 seconds behind Latvala, but attacked hard to narrow the gap to 16 sec. by the midpoint service.

However the Ford pair responded with a full-speed attack in the afternoon and clawed back almost all the time.

“The afternoon was absolutely insane,” Hirvonen said. ”It’s been a long time since we were this flat-out. It’s been a good day, even though I didn’t expect this level of battle.

“I thought it could be a bit easier but since the second stage today we’ve been absolutely flat-out. It’s been fantastic. Absolutely fantastic!”

Carrying the hopes of the Citroen team on his shoulders, Sordo put in a faultless performance in his Citroen C4 WRC, on roads which were widely expected to favour his Finnish rivals. He admitted it was going to be hard to improve his position on Sunday.

“It will be difficult (to catch them) because we won’t have many kilometres and today I was faster only in the first section. Unless Jarri or Mikko have problems, it will be difficult,” Sordo said.

Sebastien Ogier (Citroen C4 WRC), Petter Solberg (Citroen Xsara) and his brother Henning Solberg (Ford Focus) battled throughout the day to finish fourth, fifth and six respectively and separated by just 8.4 sec.

Rally Poland is round eight of the 2009 WRC. Round nine will start in Finland on 31 July and then the teams will travel Down Under for round 10, Repco Rally Australia, which will be headquartered at SALT Resort Village at Kingscliff.

Tickets for Rally Australia are now on sale from Ticketek (ticketek.com.au).

BP Abu Dhabi Team driver Mikko Hirvonen leads Rally Poland after the first full day of competition in round eight of the 2009 FIA World Rally Championship, a day on which championship leader Sebastien Loeb crashed out for the second event in succession.

Feeling right at home on high-speed gravel stages which resembled those of his native Finland, Hirvonen edged ahead of Loeb and the Citroen Total Citroen C4 and into a slim lead on Friday’s second stage (SS3).

But his lead became far more secure on SS4 when Loeb retired from the day after crashing into a tree stump.

Loeb’s exit promoted Hirvonen’s teammate Jari-Matti Latvala into second place and despite pressure from a hard-charging Dani Sordo in the remaining factory Citroen, the Ford pair held formation for the rest of the day.

The prospect of a second consecutive Ford 1-2 after Loeb dominated the first part of the season raises hopes the fight for the championship will be well and truly alive when the WRC heads to the New South Wales Northern Rivers in 68 days’ time for round 10, Repco Rally Australia.

Tickets for Rally Australia went on sale on-line this week at Ticketek.com.au.

The lead drivers could have been forgiven for taking things a little easier on the afternoon stages in Poland, but on SS5 Latvala thumped in a stage win to close the gap on his teammate to only 1.4 sec.

Hirvonen’s response was swift and brutal. On SS6 he set a time 8.2 sec. quicker than anybody and completed the day with a lead of 8.9 sec.

“It’s been a fantastic day,” Hirvonen said. “I’ve really enjoyed it even on the repeated stages; the conditions weren’t so bad, we’ve had a lot of fun.”

Latvala agreed with his teammate. “It’s been really good, with no problems at all and the car is working well,” he said.

“Mikko has gone well. I must say his time through the second stage this afternoon was unbelieveable – otherwise I’ve had a really good day! Dani is pushing us both hard; tomorrow we need to keep him behind.”

Sordo completed the day 28.1 sec. adrift of Latvala’s second place.

Privateer Petter Solberg emerged fourth in his Citroen Xsara after an exciting scrap with fellow Norwegian Andreas Mikkelsen ended when the engine in the latter’s Skoda expired on the 22 km last stage.

“I pushed big time, You have to respect these stages but they are good fun to drive,” the 2003 World Champion said.

Petter’s elder brother Henning rounded out the top five after a frustrating day in his Stobart VK team Ford Focus.

Olivier Quesnel, team director of Citroen Racing, said he did not consider Loeb’s retirement from Rally Poland to be the result of driver error.

“What happened was he was opening the road and if you see the on-board video it was honestly impossible for him to see the stump. Usually he is lucky. This time he was not,” Quesnel said.

Loeb will resume the rally on Saturday and attempt to salvage some points for the manufacturers and drivers championships, but faces a significant challenge to defend his position in the standings with Hirvonen only seven points behind after the seventh round in Greece two weekends ago.

The Citroen Junior Team’s teenage Russian driver Evgeny Novikov, co-driven by Australian Dale Moscatt, was another to crash on SS4 and retire from the day.

“Three corners from the end of the stage, we went over a crest a little too quickly. We went off the road and broke the suspension,” Novikov said.

“Then we tried to fix the problem but it wasn’t possible. So we will start again tomorrw under the Super Rally system.”

Moscatt gave a more dramatic description of what happened: “We had a big off over a crest at warp factor five billion!”

The FIA World Rally Championship is set for a bright future after sweeping plans to further develop and promote the sport were approved by the FIA yesterday (24 June) at the meeting of the World Motor Sport Council (WMSC) in Paris.

The blueprint for the Championship has been heralded as a major step forward for WRC by all the major stakeholders, and is the start of a brave new world for the sport.

It builds on the rich heritage and history of WRC and will enable the sport to adapt to the demands of a rapidly changing media and commercial world.

FIA President Max Mosley said: “I’m delighted that the World Rally Championship is heading in this positive new direction. There is no doubt that with a sustained level of development and promotion, we can provide the ultimate stage to showcase this world-class sport.”

Neil Duncanson, Chairman of global promoter ISC, added: “All the main players in the sport have worked very hard to get to this moment. These plans give us a stable foundation on which to build the series, and a unique opportunity to create something very special for years to come – for the fans, the media, the teams and the events.”

The calendar, technical regulations and greater flexibility for organisers to develop their events’ unique character are a few of the notable developments for the future. However, a raft of additional amendments to the 2010 Sporting Regulations will ensure WRC has the freedom to build on its core values while forging ahead in the areas of new media and entertainment, strengthening the qualities that have brought the sport millions of fans around the world.

The decisions taken by the WMSC can be found on www.fia.com and www.wrc.com

A Q & A with Simon Long, CEO of ISC, WRC’s commercial and media rights holder, regarding the main decisions announced yesterday by the FIA World Motorsport Council -

What is the rationale behind a 13 event WRC Calendar for 2010?

Simon Long, ISC: “The 2010 calendar is a combination of 9 events which had previously been confirmed by the FIA plus 4 other events, Finland, Spain, GB and Portugal, thereby extending the calendar from 12 to 13 events. The good news is that there are no losers from the previously published calendar which has now been further reinforced with 4 quality events, proposed by ISC”.

How will WRC calendars be proposed in the future?

SL: “In drawing up our future calendar recommendations, the overriding focus will be on quality as we look to combine the world’s best drivers and cars with the best events. That means quality not only in terms of a well-run event but also in the way events are marketed and promoted in the interests of spectators, viewers, the media, car manufacturers and commercial partners. As Championship Promoter, ISC will be working with all of the sport’s stakeholders to raise the bar for how WRC is staged and showcased to an increasingly global community of fans. ISC will be submitting a proposal for the 2011 WRC calendar for the FIA’s approval before the end of 2009”.

Will ISC’s agreements with Events only be on an annual basis?

SL: “This will not be a one-size-fits-all approach. We recognise the need for everyone involved in building a healthy and sustainable WRC to have some forward visibility. Thus, we will be entering into multi-year Events agreements with a number of core events in order to give stability and allow appropriate planning with key parties such as sponsors, broadcasters and local government to everyone’s advantage”.

What are the promotional benefits of introducing the 1600cc turbo engine in 2011?

SL: “This brings WRC in line with the way the automotive industry and public opinion is moving towards more energy efficient engines. At the same time, this will further support our efforts to attract new manufacturers and car brands into our sport with the prospect of more cost effective and relevant WRC car regulations”.

What are the advantages of giving event Organisers more flexibility over the design of their events?

SL: “The beauty of going to so many distinctive and spectacular locations around the world is the unique character which each event can bring to the Championship and how we promote it. We need to make more of a virtue of the sheer variety of experience and geographical reach which WRC can offer. By allowing Organisers more flexibility over the make-up of their event we anticipate being able to connect with a wider landscape of communities, places and fans. The prospect of mixed surfaces will only add to the unpredictability and challenge which characterises the sport of rallying.”

How will the introduction in 2010 of a “WRC Cup” for Super 2000 cars help?

SL: “This is great news. With the WRC regulations set to shift to a Super 2000 car in 2011 this is a good way of attracting manufacturers, teams and privateers into WRC at an affordable and competitive level. This also offers the chance to sample WRC ahead of potentially taking the step up to the highest level of the sport. We will be undertaking a number of media and marketing initiatives to showcase the series globally and integrate it within the overall promotion of WRC”.

Regarding the further announcements made today by the FIA about a number of amendments to the WRC Sporting Regulations, ISC anticipate a wide range of promotional and marketing benefits. Commenting on a selection of these, Simon Long, CEO of ISC, said as follows -

What will be the benefit of replacing “Super Rally” with bonus points for each day?

SL: “With our Championship Promoter’s hat on, I think it’s fair to say that the Super Rally system can be quite confusing to explain to fans and viewers. The provision of daily bonus points should help further incentivise drivers to go full out throughout the duration of the rally whilst rewarding those drivers who keep their cars on the road from start to finish. This will be good for generating increased media and public interest in the result of each day of racing as well as in the overall classification, a bit like in the Tour de France.”

What’s will a global Drivers’ World Ranking add to the promotion of WRC?

SL: “This is a great initiative by the FIA which will allow followers of WRC and the sport of rallying to compare and contrast the fortunes of their favourite drivers throughout the year. There is little doubt that the introduction of ranking systems in other major global sports such as golf and tennis had helped raise interest levels locally and internationally. The introduction of a WRC ranking system is bound to help keep the sport, its heroes and rivalries firmly in the eye of the public and media”.

How about the prospect of Remote Service Zones?

SL: “One of the unique aspects of WRC is the fact that it does not take place in a concrete stadium but can roam over huge, diverse areas of the country. A Remote Service Zone, provided that it is well staged and promoted, offers the additional dimension of stretching the heartbeat of a rally to another location away from the central Service Park, thereby further spreading the carnival atmosphere and allowing an additional focal point for fans, the media and sponsors to interact with the sport’s stars and personalities. This will work for some events but not necessarily for all depending on the logistics and itinerary of each event and the needs of the stakeholders.”

There are a number of rule changes regarding the introduction of more media opportunities, finish and podium ceremonies and PR opportunities involving the drivers, teams and fans. How will these help your role as the Championship Promoter?

SL: “I think the FIA is to be applauded for the way it has looked at ways of changing the sporting regulations in order to help improve the WRC “show”. WRC is all about accessibility and the changes outlined in the FIA’s announcement are likely to enable the public and media to get closer than ever before to the local and global heroes of the sport. Adapting to the needs of the broadcasters and press, whilst increasing the entertainment and spectacle of our sport, are bound to increase the profile and marketability of WRC”.

What will be the impact of allowing cars that are certified by ASN’s, and which are based on those eligible to enter the WRC, to be permitted in a National Classification?

SL: “As the Championship Promoter we see our role as being as much about showcasing the top of the pyramid of rallying with WRC, as we do connecting the grassroots of the sport to a ladder of opportunity. This is a welcome change which will help encourage more competitors, especially amateurs, to sample the unrivalled experience of participating in WRC events.”

Businesses, social groups and individuals will be able to experience the pure excitement of Special Stage and Super Special Stage action from the comfort of fully-catered hospitality suites at Repco Rally Australia in September.

The line-up of corporate hospitality choices for the FIA World Rally Championship round in the New South Wales Northern Rivers on 3-6 September was announced today, along with the official launch of ticket sales to the public through Ticketek.

Rally Australia will provide an exceptional motorsport experience for hospitality guests, who will be able to see stars such as five-time World Champion Sebastien Loeb in action from prime viewing positions, experience the unique atmosphere of World Championship rallying and enjoy facilities that ensure spectating is fun, comfortable and easy.

Repco Rally Australia Chairman of Directors Alan Evans said the range of hospitality packages, priced from just $199, had been designed to suit everyone from individuals to local business operators with limited budgets and through to large companies wanting to entertain interstate or overseas guests.

“Our hospitality packages represent terrific value for money, particularly considering this is an event that takes second place only to Formula 1 in FIA World Championship status,” Mr Evans said.

“We have had many enquiries even before the packages were officially announced, including from a number of international groups and some of the World Rally teams wanting to bring overseas guests.

“Our packages all include brunch, lunch or dinner and private bathrooms and offer wide a range of extra choices including company signage, grandstand seating, guest drop-in passes and exclusive behind-the-scenes tours.

“They are suitable for groups of all sizes, but we especially recommend them for businesses in the Northern Rivers region. The packages are flexible and affordable, provide a world-class opportunity never before available in the region and allow businesses to showcase their involvement in an event that has been independently forecast to bring in around $30 million worth of economic benefit.”

Daytime hospitality suites will be operated on Friday, Saturday and Sunday at locations on the rural gravel Special Stages in the Tweed and Kyogle Shires. All include coach transfers from rally headquarters at SALT Resort Village at Kingscliff.

At night, action switches to the thrilling Tweed Super Special Stage around the streets of Murwillumbah, where the Heart of the Tweed Club and Rally Australia Club and private Champions and VIP Gold suites are located.

These trackside positions ensure the best viewing as the field of up to 60 cars races through the streets three at a time in pursuit style with headlights blazing, brakes glowing and exhausts spitting flames.

Corporate entertainment prices start at just $199 in the Club 88 Syndicated Special Stage facility.

Repco Rally Australia will pioneer single or multiple-use themed private suites at the Tweed Special Stage.

“In most corporate areas you will be able to select the number of uses of the facility that you require during the event, making this not only the most affordable World Championship or world-class event being conducted in Australia in 2009, but also the most flexible and user-friendly for our clientele,” Mr Evans said.

“At most events you have to buy corporate facilities for the whole event. We believe that you should only buy what you want to use.”

A brochure and booking form outlining all the corporate hositality opportunities and benefits available at Repco Rally Australia are available now by calling (0406) 318 847 or emailing marketing@rallyaustralia.com.au.

Spectators will be able to see the world’s greatest rally drivers in action for as little as $22 when Repco Rally Australia hits the road in the New South Wales Northern Rivers on 3-6 September.

Tickets for Rally Australia, round 10 of 12 in the 2009 FIA World Rally Championship, were released officially for sale through Ticketek (www.ticketek.com.au) today – just 72 days before competition begins with a nighttime Super Special Stage on the closed streets of Murwillumbah.

Prices, including pre-purchase discounts, range from $22 for an adult to watch the Saturday or Sunday gravel special stages to $372.50 for a Family Whole Event Super Pass with daily access to all viewing points and grandstand seating for the Tweed Super Special Stage at Murwillumbah.

An individual Whole Event Super Pass, providing access to all gravel Special Stages and all nights of the Tweed Super Special Stage, is just $99.

Citroen’s five-time World Champion driver Sebastien Loeb, his teammate Dani Sordo, Ford stars Mikko Hirvonen, Jarri-Matti Latvala, Henning Solberg, Matthew Wilson and Federico Villagra, the world’s fastest Production Rally Car drivers, finalists in the Pirelli Star Driver program and a strong contingent of Australians will form a field of up to 60 entries for the rally.

The line-up of great drivers, range of viewing opportunities and wide choice of ticket options will make Repco Rally Australia the best-value international motor sports event on the Australian calendar, says event Chairman of Directors Alan Evans.

“Repco Rally Australia is a fantastic opportunity, whether you are a family or group of friends looking for spectacular entertainment or a dyed-in-the-wool rally fan,” Mr Evans said.

“The WRC drivers and teams have a massive following in many parts of the world, but will be coming to this part of Australia for the first time hungry to fight for the newest prize in world rallying.

“Rally competition is more about car control, physical and mental toughness, teamwork and tactics than outright speed. Sebastien Loeb is an absolute master of all that and we’re truly excited that one of the world’s greatest drivers in any form of motorsport will be competing at Repco Rally Australia.

“He’s won five world championships in a row and before that been a member of the French national gymnastics team and will be amazing to watch in action on the roads of the Tweed and Kyogle shires.”

Rally Australia will cover more than 340 kilometres in competition on closed public roads between Kingscliff, on the coast, and south-west of Kyogle, around 120 kms inland.

General Admission viewing in no-alcohol areas with catering facilities will be available for 12 of the gravel Special Stages, with the timetable arranged so spectators can see the action from at least two points each on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

However, the biggest crowds are expected at the Tweed Super Special Stage on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, when cars will race three at a time, pursuit-style, around two laps of a 1.2 kilometre street circuit near the centre of Murwillumbah.

Adult tickets to the Tweed Super Special Stage will cost from just $25 per night or $75 for three nights and provide entry to an unforgettable experience as the World Rally cars race around the course with brakes glowing-hot, exhausts spitting flame and headlights blazing.

While Repco Rally Australia is a new major event for New South Wales, it continues the tradition of Australia’s round of the World Rally Championship run out of Perth between 1988 and 2006. At Repco Rally Australia, spectators at the Tweed Super Special stage will occupy grandstands name after two former Rally Australia winners, Juha Kankkkunen (1989, 90, 91 and 93) and Colin McRae (1994, 97).

The course will be shared on Saturday and Sunday with the Speed on Tweed Festival, one of Australia’s most popular sprint events for classic and historic cars. Speed on Tweed tickets will be sold separately unless purchased with a Whole Event Super Pass.

While ticketed Special Stage spectating will be the highlight of Repco Rally Australia, the public also will have bonus free access to several activities where drivers and their cars can be seen at close quarters.

These include service parks at Kingscliff and Kyogle, a rally show, start festivities and free concert at Murwillumbah on Thursday night and the ceremonial finish at the Kingscliff service park on Sunday afternoon.