Rally Australia "significantly shortened" amid bush fires
Rally Australia organisers have confirmed a ‘significantly shortened’ route for this week’s final round of the World Rally Championship – if the Coffs Harbour-based event goes ahead at all due to a worsening fire situation in the area.
M-Sport
Bush fires have been burning for days in New South Wales and worsening weather conditions – including strengthening winds set to run into Tuesday – are making it impossible for the organisers to get into the stages to set them up for the start of the recce on Tuesday morning.
The national rally, which follows the main WRC field, has been cancelled. The entrants have been invited to participate in demonstration runs at the superspecial stages in Coffs Harbour.
“Rally Australia’s thoughts are with the NSW community, especially the people who have lost loved ones, livelihoods and homes as a result of the fires in northern NSW,” a spokesman said.
A Rally Australia statement said: “Organisers of Kennards Hire Rally Australia still hope to go ahead with the closing round of the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) this week.
“The rally is consulting with emergency services, authorities and the local community about the evolving fire situation in the region, but hopes to stage the WRC season finale on a significantly shortened course.”
More than 60 fires are burning through New South Wales, some of which impact directly on the route for Rally Australia. Three people have died in the fires and thousands of homes are affected.
A spokesman from the event said: “Rally Australia’s thoughts are with the NSW community, especially the people who have lost loved ones, livelihoods and homes as a result of the fires in northern NSW.
Be part of Motorsport community
Join the conversationShare Or Save This Story
Ferrari drivers escape punishment for clash
Hamilton accepts full responsibility for Albon collision
Will Alonso's Indy failure end the age of versatility?
Honda targets F1 title bid with Aston Martin from 2026
Marquez: Age a key factor in Quartararo's new Yamaha MotoGP deal
F1 publishes sustainability report amid 2030 net zero push
Alpine fast-tracks F1 floor upgrade to China amid recovery push
How Rovanpera showed his class above his WRC rivals in Kenya
How a new 'old' challenge is capturing the spirit of British rallying lore
How Lappi survived Swedish snow carnage to snap his lengthy WRC drought
The new WRC highs Neuville reached to defeat Monte master Ogier
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments