Night rallying returns to the Australian Rally Championship next month – the first time in many years that an ARC stage (other than a Super Special) has been held in darkness.
The 2007 Rally of Canberra begins with a ceremonial start in the city at Garema Place on the evening of Friday, June 1, before moving straight into the forests with a 10.33km stage in the Bluetts plantation.
But some of the leading teams have expressed their concerns over the running of a night stage, as they don't currently have driving light set-ups for their rally cars.
However, event orgnanisers stress that they are too far down the track to change the plans for this year's stages, and it is expected spectators will lap up the opportunity to see top class rallying in the dark.
A free spectator point will be offered during the stage, and according to the Rally of Canberra's Jenny Boyd, spectators will be able to see the cars for a good part of the 10km test, adding to the excitement.
Spectators will be treated to rally action at its best over two full days with plenty of superb spectator points, including a double dose of Mineshaft action on Saturday and Sunday mornings. This year there are also several exciting new spectator points – the East, West and Pipeline viewing points.
The ceremonial start on Friday evening is a great opportunity for spectators and enthusiasts to get up close to the cars, meet the drivers, and be a part of the official start for the 2007 event.
The spectator site at Kowen Forest will also return in 2007, offering views of the rally action, displays, catering and more.
This year’s event, as well as being a qualifying round of the FIA Asia Pacific Rally Championship, will again be a round of the NEC Australian Rally Championship.
The Capital Rally, which runs in conjunction with the main rally, attracts other local and regional entrants in a variety of vehicles, including some classic rally cars from the 70s and 80s.
The Rally of Canberra will attract a field of top-class competitors from Australia and overseas and is expected to feature international teams from Malaysia, Finland, New Zealand, India, Japan and the UK.
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