The organisers of the National Capital Rally, the second round of the 2015 East Coast Bullbars Australian Rally Championship, have announced some significant changes to entice fans and competitors, while still offering the most compact route in the series.
“We had a very successful event last year, and that made us even more determined to improve the event for this year,” explained Clerk of Course Adrian Dudok. “Canberra has a rich rally heritage, and we want that to continue at all levels of the sport, from the spectators to the service crews and the competitors.”
Eli Evans leads the Australian Rally Championship after the first round.The service park for the National Capital Rally will once again be held on the banks of Lake Burley Griffin, directly opposite the National Museum of Australia, and a moments walk from the Rally Headquarters at QT Canberra.
With the Nat Cap receiving significant support from QT Canberra, the luxury hotel will not only provide the Rally HQ, but will also host the increasingly popular Rally Hall of Fame presentation and dinner prior to the start of the rally, as well as the rally after party.
Recent redevelopment work of the West Side precinct that will host the official start ceremony as well as the service park meaning that teams and spectators will have greater access to a newly opened café and bar, while a purpose built BMX track and basketball courts will provide new activities for kids.
“Our biggest draw card is our compact format, with the stages and the service park being so close to each other. It’s about bringing the rally to the people, and we’re very proud of that fact,” Dudok said.
“We have plans for a party atmosphere for the start ceremony on Friday afternoon, before the action gets properly underway on Saturday and Sunday.”
While the competitive route is largely unchanged from 2014, the event has made a significant switch by running the Kowen Forest stages on Saturday, while the stages held in the Cotter and Tidbinbilla areas will run on Sunday.
“The roads themselves are in fantastic condition,” added Adrian. “We have worked very hard over the past couple of years with Forestry to improve the sections that had been notoriously rough in the past, especially in sections of the Kowen forests. I’m sure the drivers will all appreciate the quality of the stages this year.”
One major revision this year will see a return of the jump and tunnel combination in the Kowen forest, which will form the major draw card for spectator and sponsor Rally Village on the Saturday of the event.
“We want the Rally Village to provide the spectacle of the rally cars flying over the jump and back through the tunnel, and the facilities that spectators and corporate guests have come to expect at a major event,” Dudok continued.
“In addition the all important ARMOR ALL & STP Power Stage will be held this year in Kowen and will utilise the Rally Village area including the jump and the tunnel,” he added.
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