Newsletter – 16th June 2009

WELCOME to the second edition of our Volunteer Officials Newsletter.

By now you should have all had contact from a team leader for Repco Rally Australia. This person would have also sent you an Officials Registration form via email which you should have filled out and returned to the Rally Australia office. If you have not completed this form could you please do so as soon as possible so we can allocate your apparel and passes for officials.

SUPER SPECIAL STAGE

One of the highlights of Repco Rally Australia 2009 will no doubt be the new ‘Super Special Stage’ in Murwillumbah.

Mirroring the successful concept started by the annual ‘Speed on Tweed’ festival, visitors to the region will be in awe at the sight of World Rally Cars – driven by the best rally drivers in the world today – hitting their straps over a testing circuit in the heart of the town under lights.

Amongst other stars of the sport we can expect to see the current leader of the 2009 WRC, Sebastian Loeb, proving his skills to the assembled Australian and international spectators and visitors.

Loeb, the driver with the most WRC event wins in the history of the World Rally Championship, continues to amaze the motoring world and his peers alike with a dominant display of driving on all surfaces.

Although Loeb’s speed is undoubted, we were thrilled to see Ford star Mikko Hirvonen take on the Frenchman inAcropolis .Hirvonen, lead the event from start to finish and held off Loeb and the rest of the WRC drivers to claim Ford’s 70th victory at WRC level.

For volunteers who have already committed to assist on the event, this will be the chance of a lifetime to get up close and personal with your favourite rally personalities. Rally crews are renowned for their willingness to be ‘available’, and the internationals are genuine in their appreciation of rally fans.

Speaking of volunteers, officials are still needed and recruitment is a continual task for the organisers of Repco Rally Australia. Some areas already have a full allocation of people, but the establishment of teams and delegation of responsibilities is an ongoing process! So tell your friends and family to get involved and be a part of the action by registering their interest at http://rallyaustralia.com/officials/expression-of-interest-form/

ATKO?

One of the most frequently asked questions is whether or not home-town hero Chris Atkinson will be making an appearance at Repco Rally Australia.

As most enthusiasts will know, Chris was an unfortunate casualty of Subaru’s decision to withdraw from the World Rally Championship.

Like many organisations around the world, the impact of the Global Financial Crisis caused tough decisions to be made. In the face of diminishing new car sales, cutting the budget for the WRC team was perhaps a tough, but responsible decision.

With little or no time to find a new full-time seat for 2009, Australia’s rally star found himself likely to be sitting on the sidelines for the forthcoming ’09 season.

A one-off deal for Chris in Citroen’s Junior Team for the series opener in Ireland netted a sound result, but a full-time ride was not on offer while other capable young drivers with contributing budgets were in the sights of Citroen.

Chris spent a long break back in Australia with family and friends but has no doubt been in discussions about a return to the highest level of the sport.

FOLLOW US…

Repco Rally Australia is now on Facebook and Twitter!

We welcome you to join the Repco Rally Australia Official Facebook page and share your excitement with other officials, fans and teams as we near the event.

We’ve also joined the Twitter revolution so why not “follow us” by heading to http://twitter.com/RallyAustralia and get a daily update direct from the rally office.

THE COUNTDOWN IS ON

Less than 80 days remain until the inaugural Repco Rally Australia.

Work continues unabated in an effort to deliver the best available rally package to the WRC field, while ensuring the communities in the Murwillumbah and Kyogle districts are included in all critical decisions.

The organising team is only too well aware that when the event is over, and the rally ‘circus’ heads out of town, the communities’ perceptions of the overall event will leave a lasting legacy.

Community feedback is critical to ensuring the right decisions are made about the route, traffic, residents and the environment.

The Rally Australia website contains the contact details and address of the rally office, and feedback is welcomed.

REPORTS RELEASED

Over recent weeks, Repco Rally Australia has released a series of independent reports into environmental, socio-economic and cultural aspects of the event.

The reports, totalling more than 700 pages, cover topics such as an ecological assessment of the route, a koala management plan, noise, dust and waste management and a plan to offset carbon emissions created as a result of the event. An overall map of the stages was also released.

These represent a comprehensive picture of the route, any potential impacts and strategies to overcome or minimise these impacts – thought to be unprecedented in the World Rally Championship.

Their release is in line with Repco Rally Australia’s commitment to provide a comprehensive information package for inspection by the community and public-at-large.

The route map, all the reports in full and related media releases and Q&A documents have been posted on the event website and we strongly encourage you to read them.

OFFICIALS CAMPING

Kyogle – the Gateway to the Rainforests will be offering Officials Camping for the week leading up to and including Repco Rally Australia. There will be food available, hot showers, a bar and entertainment in the evenings. Sites will go on sale from 1 July 2009. More details to follow in the next newsletter.

NEWSFLASH

The proposed location of the main service area for cars contesting September’s Repco Rally Australia World Rally Championship round has been changed to a new, more suitable venue at a local sports ground.

The service park will be at Walter Peate Reserve in Kingscliff, in the New South Wales Northern Rivers, and is set to be a major free attraction for rally spectators.

Read more by visiting our website www.rallyaustralia.com