RALLY Australia will accelerate preparations to host its 24th FIA World Rally Championship event next November after funding by the Coffs Harbour City Council was approved last night.
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The Council, which is centred on the Coffs Coast region of New South Wales that hosts the event, voted to support the 2016 and 2017 rallies, reversing a decision taken two weeks ago.
“There are now just over 200 days until Kennards Hire Rally Australia on November 17-20 and with this brief hiatus behind us we’re clear to put the throttle down on planning and organisation for what will be our best event yet,” Rally Australian Chairman Ben Rainsford said.
“We’ll do so with the strongest possible demonstration of support from the Coffs Coast community, which spoke out against the original decision and turned out in big number last night to see its will acknowledged.
“A Coffs Coast 2016 rally would have gone ahead whatever the vote, as we have other key supporters including the NSW Government and commercial sponsors.
“But almost nothing is more important than this community support and its emergence like never before is the silver lining in this matter. We’ve actually gained from it.”
Mr Rainsford said Rally Australia’s stable financial position and all-round support would assist negotiations begun recently with WRC authorities to host rounds in 2018, 2019 and 2020.
