Rally Queensland will return to it’s traditional ARC date in the middle of the year, after Rallycorp announced a date change for the event from March to June.
According to an official press release, Rallycorp believes that moving the start of the season back from the date originally scheduled will have long term benefits for the television production, series stakeholders and the Championship itself.
“Strategically, moving coates Rally Queensland to late June will condense the championship into a tighter timeframe for the benefit of sponsors and competitors” said Rallycorp Chairman Steve Ashton.
“June is certainly the ideal time for any major rally in Queensland, the roads will be in great condition and the climate will provide a great escape for the crews from Australia’s eastern states,” Rally Queensland Clerk of Course Errol Bailey said.
As well as a new date, the 2008 coates Rally Queensland will see the traditional ceremonial start move from its previous base on the Coolum Esplanade and combine with the second running of the Pacific Ford Shoot-out at the Maroochy Showgrounds in Nambour on Friday night, June 20.
“The new start is going to be a huge spectacle showcasing the best in Australian rallying and is a great opportunity for fans to see the cars up close before they head out into the forest,” Bailey added.
The change means the West Australian round of the Championship, the QUIT Forest Rally, will open the national series for the first time since 2004.
2008 Australian Rally Championship Calendar
Rd 1. QUIT Forest Rally 5 – 6 April
Rd 2. Rally of Canberra 10 – 11 May
Rd 3. coates Rally Queensland 21 – 22 June
Rd 4. Toyota Rally SA 26 – 27 July
Rd 5. Great Lakes Rally 20 – 21 September
Rd 6. NGK Rally of Melbourne 18 – 19 October
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