Rally Australia announcement imminent

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http://www.rally.com.au/home/latestnews/articleid=1881

ARCom Chairman Garry Connelly has indicated that an announcement on the future home of Rally Australia, the local Round of the FIA World Rally Championship, will be delivered by Easter. Speculation over the front runners for the hosting rights of the event remains fierce, however Queensland is tipped as the strongest candidate to gain control of the event from the Western Australian Government.

Speaking late last week on the future of Rally Australia Connelly indicated a possible timeframe. “I think you can expect an announcement soon, although I don’t like the fact that I’ve promised dates in the past that have come and gone, but I’d imagine a formal announcement in the next 6 to 7 weeks.”

“At that time there will be details revealed about a new high-profile event in a high-profile location,” added Connelly.

While he wouldn’t be drawn on indicating which State was most likely to secure the hosting rights, Connelly did comment that it would be on the Eastern seaboard. Further queried if that meant that South Australia was out of the running Connelly added “I count South Australia as a part of the Eastern States.”

The departure of Subaru from the Australian Rally Championship is seen by many as a blow for the local series, however Connelly is confident that a move by Rally Australia from Perth to a more populated East Coast capital city would assist the profile of rallying at all levels and was hopeful that the added exposure would entice new competitors into the sport.

“There is no doubt the WA team have done a sensational job for a numbers of years now, but I think if you move the event to the East Coast it will definitely raise the profile of rallying throughout Australia,” said Connelly.

Officials from CAMS and ARCom have been working behind the scenes with State representatives over the Christmas period to finalise a move for Rally Australia after the initial tendering process was unsuccessful. It is believed that Queensland and South Australia at the time produced the most attractive proposals, and it is widely expected that one of these two States will win the final bid.