Rally Australia and CAMS representatives met Jean Todt, President of the Paris-based world motorsport governing body, the Federation de l’Automobile (FIA), while he was visiting Australia this week.
They advised M. Todt that the rally, now in its 21st year, had the unequivocal support of all key stakeholders, including major parties contesting the forthcoming New South Wales State election and local governments on the Coffs Coast
Rally Australia Chairman Ben Rainsford said that although the event was not included in the 2012 draft WRC calendar, he remained confident of achieving a solution that would see it go ahead.
“Speculation about the 2012 WRC calendar is certainly premature, with the World Motor Sport Council having deferred its decision until the end of this month,” Mr Rainsford said.
“While planning for the 2011 Rally Australia on 8-11 September is progressing rapidly, we are also in active negotiations about 2012 and an annual place on the WRC calendar.
“Rally Australia’s move to a new home on the Coffs Coast of New South Wales has received an overwhelming welcome from the local population, businesses and authorities,” Mr Rainsford said.
“Combine this with the fact the Coffs Coast is one of the traditional homes of Australian rallying and has hosted successful international events already, and we are assured of staging a sporting spectacle next September that more than justifies our place on the WRC calendar into the future.
“Rally Australia ran every year in Western Australia between 1988 and 2006 and was hugely successful. We now need the continuity of an annual event in 2012 and beyond to capitalise on the greater opportunities available in our new East Coast home to grow the event and the WRC’s following in this region of the world.”
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