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NSW to host World Rally Championship 2009
14 September 2008
After a three-year break, a leg of the World Rally Championship will return to Australia, Events NSW and the Confederation of Australian Motors Sports have announced recently.
Western Australia last hosted a stage of the race near Perth in 2006, but discontinued it after deciding not to renew contracts to host the event.
Under the terms of the new contract, NSW will host the Rally Australias leg biannually, sharing alternative years with Rally New Zealand. The agreement runs up to 2017 with an opportunity to renew the contract for a further five years up to 2022.
The 2009 Australian rally stage takes place from September 3rd to 6th next year and will consist of 16 stages close to the towns of Kyogle, Murwillumbah and Mullumbimby.
'After the Formula One, it's the biggest motor sport event in the World, and it's coming here to regional New South Wales,' NSW Events chief executive Geoff Parmenter stated.
'It will bring in excess of $100 million of new money into the state over the course of this first term of the agreement and it's expected to put pictures of this very picturesque part of the country in front of audiences in excess of 50 million per round.'
The coastal town of Kingscliff, will be at the heart of the event with the service park to be built on the beach there. The main difference between the NSW leg and the former WA leg is that this time tarmac roads will be used rather than forest trails.
Homeboy Chris Atkinson the Australian Gold Coast rally driver is currently placed fourth in the 2008 champoinship after the 11th stage.
'From a competitors point of view, they have chosen a region that offers outstanding rally roads and the very best infrastructure for all the teams,' Atkinson said.
'I give it everything at all the World Rally Championship rounds, but maybe with all the local support at Rally Australia 2009, I could be looking at the top step of the podium.'
It is hoped the event will increase visitor numbers to New South Wales and television exposure of the area will promote tourism.
Visitor/tourist visas for Australia are available online at Instant Travel Visa, for people holding elegible passports.
tourist visa for australia
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