Cars and drivers representing 10 countries, from Australia to Britain and China, will tackle two days and two nights of special-stage competition between Caloundra, 100 kilometres north of Brisbane, and the Mary Valley forests in the Gympie-Cooloola region.
Seeded entry lists published at the weekend include Australia’s most successful international driver Chris Atkinson, two-time FIA Asia Pacific Rally Champion Katsuhiko Taguchi of Japan, British Rally Champions Alister McRae and Mark Higgins, Indian Rally Champion Guarav Gill, Indonesian Champion Rifat Sungkar and the current leader of the Bosch Australian Rally Championship, Sunshine Coast local Ryan Smart.
An undoubted star will be Asia’s most successful rally driver, Karamjit Singh of Malaysia, winner of the Production World Rally Championship, three Asia Pacific titles, his own country’s championship 10 times and the Thai championship, among other titles.
The International Rally of Queensland field is the biggest in the 43-year history of the event as a championship round; overseas entries are double last year’s number. It will be increased further by the inclusion of a motorcycle class for the first time.
Competitors are entered for the second rounds of the Asia Pacific and Australian Championships, the Australian Junior Challenge and Australian Classic Rally Challenge, rounds two and three of the Queensland Championship and non-championship competitions for All-Comers rally cars and the inaugural Forest Moto for motorcycles.
Event Director Errol Bailey said the rally promised a packed weekend of entertainment for ticket holders.
“This is one of the biggest fields at an Australian championship rally event in recent memory. With so many cars passing spectators twice each night and twice each day and no more than two minutes apart, it will be non-stop action,” Mr Bailey said.
“From Friday and Saturday under lights at the Caloundra Rally Shootout super-special stage to the Saturday and Sunday Mary Valley stages in the Imbil State Forest, constant activity at the Hella Imbil Service Park and stop-over visits to Kenilworth and Cooroy, this will be a massive weekend whether you’re a committed enthusiast, casual fan or a family having its first experience of this exciting sport.
“Spectators will see some of the fastest rally drivers from around the world and the best cars, like the works Proton Satria Neo S2000s from Malaysia and Group N Mitsubishi Evolutions run by teams from Japan, Australia, China, India and Indonesia.
”At the other end of the field the Classic Escorts, Porsches and Datsuns will be spectacular and the Forest Motos will add a great new experience.”
Mr Bailey said the big entry list demonstrated a strong following for rallying in Australia and the Asia Pacific region and would bring widespread attention to the Sunshine Coast and Gympie-Cooloola regions.
“A field this size will mean more than 2000 team members, supporters, media and officials visiting for up to a week. Those from outside Queensland make no secret that the Sunshine Coast’s warm autumn weather, scenery, tourist attractions and facilities and the welcome, as well as a cracking competition, are all reasons they enter the International Rally of Queensland,” he said.
“The unprecedented number of overseas entries will ensure widespread media coverage and bigger audiences for our dedicated national and international television broadcasts.”
Discounted tickets are on sale at www.rallyqueensland.com.au for viewing at the Caloundra Rally Shootout, presented by Caloundra RSL and Hella, and the Hella Spectator Park at Imbil.
An all-venue adult Event Super Pass costs $35 for purchase on-line before 9 May or $50 at the gate. Tickets to the Party Deck corporate hospitality suite at the Caloundra Rally Shoot are $135.
INTERNATIONAL RALLY OF QUEENSLAND PROGRAM *
Wednesday 11 May -
5.30pm: Rally car display, Bulcock Beach Esplanade, presented by Caloundra Chamber of Commerce (free)
Friday 13 May -
5.30pm: Caloundra Rally Shootout and rally show presented by Caloundra RSL Services Club and Hella; 7.30pm Super Special Stages 1-2 start (tickets required)
Saturday 14 May -
8am: Kenilworth, competitor service stopover (free)
7.25am-All day: Mary Valley Forestry Stages 3-10 at Imbil Spectator Park (tickets required)
All day: Hella Service Park at Imbil Showgrounds (free)
3.30pm: Cooroy, rally crews meet-and-greet and car display (free)
5.30pm: Caloundra Rally Shootout presented by Caloundra RSL Services Club and Hella; 7pm Super Special Stages 11-12 (tickets required)
Sunday 15 May -
9am-All day: Mary Valley Forestry Stages 13-19 at Imbil Spectator Park (tickets required)
All day: Hella Service Park at Imbil Showgrounds (free)
3pm: Official finish and podium presentation, Hella Service Park at Imbil Showgrounds (free)
(* Times are for first car on course. Exact times may change slightly if circumstances require.)
TICKET PRICES
(General Admission tickets discounted 20 percent until 9 May)
Friday/Saturday/Sunday 13-15 May -
Event Super Pass (All General Admission areas, all weekend)
Adult $35
Child (under 14) $10
Friday 13 May -
Caloundra Rally Shootout (night)
General Admission
Adult $20
Child (under 14) $5
Party Deck (Includes two-course dinner, drinks, superior viewing, parking)
Adult $135
Party Deck Table of 10 $1215.00 (pay for 9, get 1 free)
Saturday 14 May -
Mary Valley Forestry Stages (day)
General Admission
Adult $15
Child (under 14) $5
Caloundra Rally Shootout (night)
General Admission
Adult $20
Child (under 14) $5
Party Deck (Includes two-course dinner, drinks, superior viewing, parking)
Adult $135
Party Deck Table of 10 $1215 (pay for 9, get 1 free)
Sunday 15 May -
Mary Valley Forestry Stages (day)
General Admission
Adult $15
Child (under 14) $5
On-line tickets and spectator information are available at www.rallyqueensland.com.au
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