The rally will start at Kings Beach, Caloundra, on Friday 25 May and run through the weekend over almost 230 kilometres of competitive stages to the finish in the Mary Valley timber township of Imbil on Sunday afternoon.
Up to 100 cars are expected to compete, with drivers, co-drivers and teams representing Britain, Sweden, France, Belgium, Japan, Malaysia, India, New Zealand and New Caledonia, as well as Australia.
The driving talent will include two world champions, five Asia Pacific outright or class champions and champions of Britain, India, Malaysia and Australia.
Among important developments for this year’s event are the signing of on-line component supplier Brakes Direct as title sponsor – officially announced today – the introduction of two new spectator-friendly stages at Caloundra Aerodrome and Pomona and a return to the popular Ceremonial Start Party at Kings Beach after several years’ absence.
Together with the traditional forestry stages at Imbil and a Saturday-morning service stopover in Kenilworth, the event offers not only multiple spectating venues but also a suggested Rally Tour route along which fans following the sporting action may experience many of the potential delights of a Sunshine Coast weekend break.
Highlighting the rally’s contribution to coast tourism, an estimated 2000 drivers, team members, supporters, officials and media will stay for up to a week, while thousands more spectators will attend over the weekend.
Dedicated television coverage will be broadcast in more than 118 overseas countries and throughout Australia.
Announcing that tickets will go on-sale from tomorrow, Event Director Errol Bailey said organisers had put extra effort into adding more entertainment to the program closer to the coast.
“Our Saturday night highlight, to be called the Main Event, will be staged on the runways of Caloundra Aerodrome. The rally cars will complete two Super Special Stage runs there after their day in the forest and spectators will be able to get a brilliant view of the action without having to travel far from home,” Mr Bailey said.
“Between rally car runs we’ll feature spectacular demonstrations by Pro Drift cars, which usually entertain crowds at V8 Supercar events including the Bathurst 1000 and are making their first Sunshine Coast appearance.
“The Pomona Dash special stage is another innovation. It will run on Saturday – market day in Pomona – and Sunday on a section of road close to the town. It offers a particularly good spectator point, where fans will be able to see the cars at speed for a good distance.
“Imbil also will offer plenty of attractions, with not only the gravel stages but also the Hella Service Park, markets in the main street, the arrival of the Valley Rattler steam train, antique shops, cafes and a traditional Sunday pub lunch and the official podium finish and winners’ champagne spray.
“This rally, under various names, has been running for 44 years and is the oldest round of the Australian Rally Championship. It’s been on the Sunshine Coast since 1997 and continues to make an important contribution to the local economy.
“This year we have enlisted a committee of community representatives and interested parties, whose role is to help leverage opportunities the rally brings to their local areas.
“With this, other initiatives we have announced and most importantly a fantastic sporting competition, I’m confident 2012 is going to be the best year yet for the Brakes Direct International Rally of Queensland.”
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