The next round of the Australian Rally Championship, the Daikin Coffs Coast Rally, has been postponed due to bad weather.
The event was due to have been held on June 27 and 28, however road conditions mean that the event can not go ahead on that date.
A storm that hit the Coffs Harbour region on March 31, with rainfall recorded on the afternoon of over 200mm, a 10 year record for the region. Many homes and business were inundated, with the storm classified as a one in 100 year event.
Roads and bridges were damaged and the Pacific Highway was closed. The Bellinger, Nambucca and Orara Rivers flooded for the second time in two months.
“It's was the area's worst flood in many years,†SES spokesman Phil Campbell said.
The forestry roads used by the Daikin Coffs Coast Rally were damaged significantly by water and landslips. NSW Forestry is working to reinstate roads to an acceptable condition, but the rally is now too close for repairs to be effected.
The Australian Rally Commission and the Australian Rally Championship are working with the Coffs Harbour and District Sporting Car Club to come up with a suitable replacement date.
Daikin Coffs Coast Rally Manager Martin Quinn added: “Key stages like Sherwood are impassable with landslips, and in some parts the roads have been washed down the mountain. You can't even get through with a 4WD.
“NSW Forestry has committed to rebuilding the roads and maintains that the roads may end up being better than they were before the rain damage,†Quinn added.
“Our sponsors understand our position and we are sure rally competitors and spectators will understand we have not taken this decision lightly. Whilst the forestry could have the roads ready, they would have little time to consolidate and the chance of damage on new sections of roads is too big.â€
The revised date of the Daikin Coffs Coast Rally will be advised at the earliest opportunity.
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