The fastest rally drivers on the planet, including current Champion Sebastien Ogier, Formula 1 race winner Robert Kubica and Australia’s top international Chris Atkinson, are among 30 crews from 18 countries entered for the FIA World Rally Championship round on the New South Wales Coffs Coast in two weeks' time.
Coates Hire Rally Australia on 11-14 September will be Round 10 of the WRC.
The official entry list announced today includes nine Australian-based crews stepping up to the international stage for their home event.
In addition, 42 two-wheel drive, four-wheel drive, Classic and Side-by-Side vehicles are entered in the East Coast Bullbars Australian Rally Championship fifth round, which will follow the WRC field on the 20-stage, 316 kilometre event.
The entry represents the highest standard in world rallying and promises a thrilling experience for spectators, Rally Australia Event Manager David Catchpole says.
“At the top of this list, the 11 drivers for the manufacturer teams representing Volkswagen, Hyundai, Citroen and M-Sport (Ford) are men of extraordinary sporting talent,” Mr Catchpole said.
“They compete around the world in all conditions from Sweden to Monte Carlo to Mexico and in just two weeks’ time they will line up for the start in Coffs Harbour, the farthest destination on the 13-country WRC tour.
“Our sporting team led by Clerk of Course Adrian Stafford has prepared a course, including the Hyundai Super Special Stage over two nights, that will be a true test to the standard expected of a WRC event and an unmissable spectacle for fans.”
Rally Australia 2013 winner and current World Champion Sebastien Ogier of France, driving for Volkswagen Motorsport, heads the seeded entry list followed by teammate Jari-Matti Latvala of Finland. Ogier is 44 points ahead of Latvala in the drivers’ standings and both will be fighting hard for a break in Australia.
Northern Irishman Kris Meeke, driving for Citroen, is third on the list.
Winner for Hyundai of last weekend’s ADAC Rallye Deutschland, Thierry Neuville of Belgium, is seventh on the list just ahead of Australian teammate Chris Atkinson.
New Zealander Hayden Paddon, the third member of the Hyundai Shell World Rally Team, will start from 11th spot.
The other manufacturer team drivers are Mads Ostberg (Citroen, Norway), Mikko Hirvonen (M-Sport, Finland), Elfyn Evans (M-Sport, Great Britain), Andreas Mikkelsen (Volkswagen, Norway) and Robert Kubica (RK M-Sport, Poland).
The top-seeded Australian-based driver is Queensland Subaru driver Matt van Tuinen, starting from 21st.
The 72-car WRC and ARC field will start competition on Friday morning 12 September after the Coates Hire Rally Show and official start in the Coffs Harbour city centre from 1pm Thursday.
Tickets for Coates Hire Rally Australia are on sale at NRMAtix through the event website www.rallyaustralia.com.au. The website also carries comprehensive spectating information, including timetables, maps and schedules for the free Michelin Shuttle service to the weekend rally villages.
The Rally Australia program also will feature the Pedders Suspension Coffs Coast 400, an off-road championship round on a separate course north of Coffs Harbour. Tickets are available from NRMAtix.
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