Newsletter – 4th February 2009

In September this year – less than seven months away – Repco Rally Australia will be conducted for the first time on the east coast of Australia. As Round 10 of the 2009 World Rally Championship the event will be based in northern NSW, where visitors can explore the magnificent beaches and scenery of the region as well as enjoy the action.

The rally will have support from major factory-supported and privateer teams competing on roads in the Tweed and Kyogle Shires. After so many years based in Western Australia, east-coasters now have the chance to take a short trip to experience the highest standard of rallying in the world.

2009 WRC Calendar

28 Jan – 01 Feb Rally Ireland
11-15 Feb Rally Norway
11-15 March The Cyprus Rally
1-5 April Vodafone Rally de Portugal
22-26 April Rally Argentina
20-24 May Rally d’Italia-Sardegna
10-14 June Acropolis Rally
24-28 June 66th Rally Poland
29 July – 02 Aug Neste Oil Rally Finland
2-6 Sept Repco Rally Australia
30 Sept – 4 Oct 45th Rally RACC Catalunya – Costa Daurada Rally de Espana
21-25 Oct Wales Rally GB

Community Consultation

As preparation for the rally continues so to does the process of community consultation. A new round of community meetings is scheduled for Saturday 7th February for anyone interested in hearing the latest rally news and plans. This is an ideal time to get correct information and ask those questions you have been pondering.

Community Meetings on 7th February:
• 9am Kingscliff Community Centre
• 12pm Tweed Shire Council Building Murwillumbah
• 4pm Kyogle Town Hall

Volunteer Recruitment

As with all motor sport events in Australia, Repco Rally Australia relies on volunteers to assist in the planning and running of the event. So far more than 600 people have registered an expression of interest to help with the event. Many of those are from the local area with no motor sport experience and we welcome them onboard.

Officials recruitment is an on-going process so if you haven’t already done so please visit www.rallyaustralia.com.au to join the team. There are still plenty of opportunities to see the action first-hand. There are also vacancies for those not-so-motor sport orientated who still want to enjoy the atmosphere and meet a variety of international visitors. Volunteer positions currently being recruited include:
• risk management and compliance
• courtesy car drivers
• environmental advisors
• road closure officials

Companion Events

It was recently announced that the ‘Classic Outback Trial’ (COT), a seven-day endurance event starting in Forbes, will finish at Tweed Heads on the weekend of Repco Rally Australia. Competitors in
“classic” rally cars will enjoy some of the same roads used by WRC competitors while entertaining spectators in their two-wheel drive “golden oldies”.

Details of the COT are available on www.rallyaustralia.com

Australian Driver Continues his WRC Attack

Gold Coast driver Chris Atkinson, who has been one of the factory team drivers for Subaru for the last three years, was as surprised as anyone when the company elected to withdraw from the World Rally Championship in 2009.

After his best Championship year, Chris pondered his 2009 season options until he recently joined Citroen as one of 4 drivers in the Citroen Junior team. This new team represents an expansion of the Citroen motor sport program for 2009. Chris will be driving the immensely successful Citroen C4, and it is hoped that Australian fans will get to see Chris perform at his home event, Repco Rally Australia.

Make Cars Green

Did you know that the automotive sector contributes the same level of greenhouse gas emissions as residential buildings? The FIA’s Make Cars Green Champaign is based on the philosophy that motor sport can play a major role in the fight against climate change. “It has the media reach needed to spread positive messages on the environment, but motor sport must not only encourage environmental improvements, it must lead by example”(“Make Cars Green: formula for the environment”, FIA Communications, 2008.)

The World Rally Championship has:
• earmarked the introduction of 2nd generation biofuels manufactured from waste, not grain or similar food based products,
• introduced a single tyre regulation to reduce consumption and waste
• encouraged new engine technologies resulting in improved emission and fuel consumption. These new technologies are finding their way into the general automotive market.

Repco Rally Australia strongly supports this campaign. Visit www.makecarsgreen.com for more information.

Keep up to Date

For all the latest news and information visit www.rallyaustralia.com.au. The site is constantly evolving and changing so visit regularly to make sure you don’t miss anything!