The Confederation of Australian Motor Sport (CAMS) has confirmed that, following consultations with the Coffs Harbour and District Car Club (CHDCC), the Coffs Harbour round of the 2009 Australian Rally Championship (ARC) will not take place in 2009.
The Daikin Coffs Coast Rally was initially scheduled to take place in June this year, however torrential rain in northern NSW caused road damage, resulting in the event being postponed.
Concern about the capacity for the road damage to be repaired in time for a rescheduled date, as well as the crowded rally calendar towards the end of the year, has meant that a viable alternate date to run the event as part of the ARC in 2009 could not be identified.
Instead, the event will be part of the ARC in 2010.
Daikin Coffs Coast Rally Event Manager Martin Quinn said, “It is very disappointing for the CHDCC to have to surrender the event. We worked closely with the Australian Rally Commission (ARCom) and CAMS for some weeks to try to construct an event model that would be viable. Unfortunately, despite our best efforts, the only practical dates identified would be too close to other major rally events in NSW.
“It would not be responsible to try to run an event at a time when it might adversely impact on other events and a strong entry for the Coffs event could not be guaranteed.†ARCom Chairman Colin Trinder praised the efforts of those involved in the Coffs event in trying to find a way to run the event.
“Under the circumstances, the Club’s decision to put their effort into the 2010 event was the wisest decision. The flooding damage in the forest areas near Coffs has been extensive and the established events in NSW later in the year mean there was really no practical alternative,†Trinder said.
“CAMS will be writing to the Coffs Harbour Council affirming our commitment to run the event in the area in 2010.â€
As a result of this change to the ARC, the Sprint Auto Parts Rally SA will be the final round of the ARC in 2009, taking place from 31 July – 2 August.
“Due to these unusual ‘force majeure’ circumstances, ARCom will be considering any sporting implications. In particular it will be necessary to amend those competitions forming part of the ARC that relied on the best four rounds to count,†Trinder said.
Competitions including the Privateers’ Cup, the Showroom Series and Eco Rally Challenge will be amended, a move necessary to ensure that competitors who have planned their season around the original calendar are not unfairly disadvantaged as a result of the cancellation.
Entries for the Sprint Auto Parts Rally SA close 9 July 2009.
SUBSCRIBE BELOW TO READ THE FULL STORY
