One of Melbourne’s premier sporting events, this year’s NGK Rally of Melbourne will have little in common with the 2006 event, as plans for new stages, locations, spectator points and initiatives come together.
“The NGK Rally of Melbourne has long been a benchmark event in the NEC ARC and this year we’ve looked for ways to make it even better,” said NGK Rally of Melbourne promoter Neil Cuthbert.
With the 2007 title just eluding Toyota Racing Development’s Simon and Sue Evans at the fifth round of the Championship, the Great Lakes Rally, the battle will be fought out between Evans and his TRD team mate Neal Bates at the final round, ensuring they will be putting on a show for spectators out in the forest.
The all-new challenge offered by the event is creating a buzz amongst the nation’s best drivers, who are looking forward to tackling the new and improved stages.
“I’m really excited about the roads that are going to be on offer this year,” said Evans. “Rally of Melbourne is my home event and it’s always been one of my favourites. The improvements to the course this year will add a new dimension to the event and I can’t wait!”
The revamped course will also mean experienced drivers in the field will have less of an advantage over newcomers to the Championship, with all teams on an even par when it comes to road knowledge.
“In some cases, stages will use roads which haven’t had rally cars on them for about 10 years, and other stages include roads which have never been used in a rally,” Cuthbert explained.
The rally will remain based in the Yarra Valley region, north-east of Melbourne, which will also be home to the re-worked Yarra Glen service park.
With a strong component of the NEC ARC field based out of Victoria, the NGK Rally of Melbourne will be a home event for many of the crews and will be sure to continue its tradition of drawing some of the biggest crowds in the national championship.
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