Rally Australia set to be reduced to 59 timed miles
Rally Australia organisers have revealed a heavily revised schedule as a proposal to keep this week's World Rally Championship finale running.

The route for the Coffs Harbour-based event has been hit by bushfires raging up and down the east coast of New South Wales.
A bulletin issued by clerk of the course Wayne Kenny outlines a new itinerary pending approval from the FIA.
Read Also:
The new timetable includes four stages, two of which are superspecial stages – one in the centre of Coffs Harbour and the other at Raleigh International Raceway south of the city.
The other two are formed from the Argents Hill Reverse test, one of the event's more southerly stages set just east of Bowraville.
That 7.4-mile stage will be shortened to just over five miles and used in both directions – one way called Graces and the other called Allens. The recce for these stages will take place on Wednesday.
Friday's opening day of the event will potentially include seven stages, a combination of the two superspecials. An eight-stage Saturday is a combination of the Graces, Allens and the Raleigh test, while the final day is four stages, all back on the superspecials.
Such an itinerary would reduce the overall mileage from 201 to 59 competitive miles.
If approved by the FIA, such a route would allow for the allocation of one-third of the total championship points, with a win being worth eight points.
The event organisers have committed to amending the roadbook to include this revised itinerary by 17:00 Tuesday November 12, local time.
Three people have died in more than 120 fires which are burning across almost two and a half million acres of New South Wales and Queensland – both states have declared a state of emergency.
NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian said: "Everybody has to be on alert, no matter where you are and everybody has to assume the worst. We cannot allow complacency to creep in."
The worst of the conditions are expected on Tuesday, when temperatures are expected to rise to the mid-30s in the rally area with winds of up to 50mph fanning the flames.
Grace Legge, from Australia's bureau of meteorology, said: "Very dangerous fire conditions are developing on Tuesday from east New South Wales and into south-east Queensland. These weather conditions are being driven by a cold front that's moving up the east coast on Tuesday. Hot, dry, gusty conditions are expected ahead of the change.
"While the cool change may ease fire dangers [on Wednesday] a combination of dry and gusty winds and a shift in wind direction means people in the impacted areas will need to remain vigilant."

Rally Australia "significantly shortened" amid bush fires
Fires cause angry teams to call for Rally Australia cancellation

Latest news
The former WRC star playing the unsung hero role for Rovanpera
Kalle Rovanpera’s 2022 World Rally Championship displays have been spectacular, with the Toyota driver benefitting from a secret weapon in his crew to win two of the opening three rallies. But while the former challenger to Sebastien Loeb won’t take credit for his fellow Finn's performances, a key bond has been formed which could prove key to Rovanpera’s title charge
How Rovanpera's Croatia turnaround sent a message to his WRC rivals
After a dominating Rally Croatia, a wrong tyre choice on the final day looked to have undone all Kalle Rovanpera's hard work and left him with a mountain to climb heading into the power stage. That he emerged the winner all the same has surely quelled any lingering doubts that the Finn is the man to beat in the 2022 WRC
How M-Sport's faith in Loubet led to a WRC reprieve after a dismal 2021
It's fair to say 2021 was a year to forget for Pierre-Louis Loubet. A maiden full World Rally Championship season offered hope but soon turned into a nightmare that ended in hospital, after being hit by a car in a road traffic accident. Now handed a lifeline by M-Sport, the Frenchman is desperate to rebuild his career
Why WRC mechanics deserve more respect
The drivers get the glare of attention, but it’s the mechanics who are key to the operation of any World Rally Championship car. Motorsport.com donned a set of overalls and joined M-Sport on a Belgian national rally event to get an inside look into the life of a rally mechanic.
The African McRae aiming to become a WRC pioneer
Taking his first step into the Junior World Rally Championship category, McRae Kimathi - named after 1995 world champion Colin - found himself in the unfamiliar climes of Sweden's snow and ice. Having impressed, Kimathi hopes to blaze a trail to the top level of WRC and help other African drivers to step onto the ladder
How Rovanpera grabbed the Rally Sweden spotlight
After a blockbuster opening act to the new era of the World Rally Championship with the battle of the Sebastiens at Monte Carlo, Rally Sweden would be the first chance to assess the next superstar of rallying. While teething issues with the new hybrid power thwarted some of the cast, Kalle Rovanpera’s display gave him headline billing
The "painful" journey behind the WRC's generational tech innovation
As the company selected to provide the hybrid kits for the 2022 World Rally Championship, the pressure was on Compact Dynamics at the Monte Carlo season opener. Needing to treat all three manufacturers equally, it wasn't a straightforward process, but its first big test was a resounding success that bodes well for the future.
The mentality shift key to Lappi’s shot at WRC redemption
He appeared poised to become the World Rally Championship’s new bright young star five years ago, but Esapekka Lappi's fortunes since his 2017 breakthrough win offer a cautionary tale of how the tables can turn. Now having rebuilt his career, the Finn is determined to make the most of his second shot at the big time with Toyota.