“The recent announcement that Rally Australia, a round of the Word Rally Championship (WRC), will be based out of Coffs Harbour from 2011 has necessitated some scheduling changes to our national championship,” Australian Rally Commission (ARCom) Chairman Colin Trinder said.
“While dates for the Rally Australia and Rally Queensland – Australia’s round of the Asia Pacific Rally Championship still need to be confirmed by the FIA we consider that it will assist organisers, competitors and volunteer officials with planning for the balance of the series to release the agreed calendar now.
“For our Australian Championship in 2011 there will be 5 events. The Championship will be an entirely gravel surface affair next year for the first time since 2008. The reduction in the number of events forming the Championship will help competitors reduce costs and compliments a number of the other recent decisions such as the adoption of the Kumho control tyre, that has saved competitors in the ARC many thousands of dollars,” Trinder said.
“In 2011 three events, WA, SA & VIC will be run in the traditional 2 Heat format with separate points allocated for each Heat. To stay focussed on cost reduction and time away from home base, each of these events will have mandatory reconnaissance on Friday,” Trinder said.
“The change of base for the WRC to Coffs Harbour provides a great opportunity for ARC competitors to showcase their skills alongside the world’s best. Organisers, ARCom and the ARC Board are all excited by the opportunities exposure of the ARC alongside the WRC offers. Specific details will need to be confirmed in the coming weeks and months as the planning for the event evolves,” Trinder said.
Rally Queensland, the Australian round of the Asia Pacific Rally Championship will also support an ARC component. Points for Rally Australia and Rally Queensland will be determined on the basis of overall results plus bonus points for each day.
The ARC 2011 Calendar is as follows;
16/17th April – Quit Forest Rally (WA)
13/15th May – International Rally of Queensland*
30/31st July – Scouts Rally SA
9/11th September – Rally Australia*
12/13th November – Rally Victoria
*Dates for these events are to subject to approval at the upcoming FIA Wold Motorsport Council meeting.
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