THE world’s best rally drivers ‘enjoyed’ a cold-blooded welcome to the Australian round of the FIA World Rally Championship during a tour of the Coffs Coast’s scenic attractions this week.
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On Tuesday the drivers were checking out Newee Creek Rd and the rest of the Valla leg, but the day before was a day off for them, and they had the chance to see close-up a collection of Australian native reptiles including a large python and a crocodile.
The Coates Hire Rally Australia and the 10th round of the World Rally Championship (WRC) kicks off today and includes stages in the Nambucca and Bellingen shires.
Citroen drivers Mads Ostberg and Kris Meeke, Mikko Hirvonen from M-Sport, Jari-Matt Latvala and Andreas Mikkelsen from Volkswagen and Chris Atkinson from Hyundai visited the Sealy Lookout Forest Sky Pier, which overlooks the Coffs Coast amid lush rainforest.
Little did they know, their welcoming committee would be native Australian reptiles brought along by Steve McEwan of Reptile World in Coffs Harbour.
Jari-Matti Latvala, one of the most fearless drivers in the WRC, was astonished to find Leroy the (tame) black-headed python slithering over his cap.
Meeke and Ostberg took a ‘selfie’ photograph with a small crocodile, while their fellow drivers all enjoyed an experience they would be unlikely to have at home.
Meeke, Ostberg, Hyundai’s Hayden Paddon, Mikkelsen, Latvala and M-Sport’s Elfyn Evans then boarded a large fishing catamaran, Cougar Cat 12.
Accompanied by a pod of dolphins, a harbor cruise turned into an offshore excursion as the drivers tried their skills – unsuccessfully – with fishing rods.
The WRC drivers’ Big Day Out began on a more serious note with a breakfast attended by almost 140 local business and community leaders at Bonville Golf Resort. The gathering aimed to reinforce the rally’s contribution to the regional economy.
Chris Atkinson said many of the drivers and rally crews were taking time to enjoy the scenic Coffs Coast before and after the rally, as well as visiting Sydney.
“It’s a great boost for the Australian economy,” Atkinson said.
“The vibe around Coffs is awesome. The community is right behind it and the event keeps getting better and better. I certainly hope it can continue for a long time.”
The first of 20 Special Stages covering 313 kilometres over three days starts at 9.18am Friday.
