First opportunity to secure best spots to see WRC stars in action

TICKETS are now on sale for one of the biggest motorsport events of the year, September’s Rally Australia round of the World Rally Championship (WRC) on the New South Wales Coffs Coast.

Priced from just $15 for an adult, tickets are available before the 8-11 September rally exclusively from Ticketek, via the internet, phone and retail outlets throughout Australia, including Coffs Harbour.

Rally Australia ticket-holders will see some of the world’s greatest drivers in million-dollar cars fighting for the most prestigious international championship next to Formula 1.

Dedicated spectator locations on daily country stages in the Nambucca, Bellingen, Coffs Habour and Clarence Valley regions and the nightly Coffs Harbour waterfront Superspecial Stage will allow close-up viewing of stars such as world champions Sebastien Loeb and Petter Solberg, Ford number one Mikko Hirvonen, Formula 1 champion Kimi Raikkonen and American YouTube stunt-driving celebrity Ken Block. (ALL AVAILABLE FOR INTERIEW)

“The WRC is a dazzling spectacle played out in 13 locations around the globe. This will be the 21st Rally Australia but the first time people will be able to see it in this beautiful part of New South Wales,” said Michael Masi, General Manager of Rally Australia.

“It will be an opportunity for spectators of all kinds to witness the skills of these spectacular drivers and experience all the exciting atmosphere of a world championship contest – without having to travel far from their accommodation base and with access to all the attractions and facilities of a major holiday region.”

Rally Australia will visit different areas each day, all within around 75 kilometres’ drive of the event base in Coffs Harbour – in the hinterland on Friday, southern areas on Saturday and northern areas on Sunday.

Ticket choices include Spectator Points on each day and night of rally action. The points will provide full amenities, including shuttle transport or parking, food, beverage and souvenir outlets and toilets.

Spectator Points at the Superspecial Stage in The Jetty precinct of Coffs Harbour offer the option of grandstand seating with certain ticket types.

Enthusiast Points on daytime stages are designed for more adventurous spectators.

They will provide better vantage points, but may involve walk-in access and fewer amenities. Crowd capacity will be capped, with tickets sold on a first-served basis.

Mr Masi said Event Super Passes promised the best value for money.

“An Adult ticket to visit one Special Stage Spectator or Enthusiast Point every day and the Superspecial Stage every night is just $99, with an option to buy a Superspecial grandstand seat for a further $76,” he said.

“An Event Super Pass means spectators will see the field race past their viewing location twice every day and twice every night – that’s fantastic value!

“We expect this will be a very popular choice, as past research shows many fans like to follow the rally from start to finish.

“Alternatively, there are three-day passes for just the Spectator Points, Enthusiast Points or Superspecial, plus individual-day stage passes.

“All in all, there’s a ticket for every viewing preference or budget, but I urge intending spectators to book early as capacity at all points is finite due to various conditions and some may sell out before the event.”

Corporate hospitality opportunities will be announced soon.

Up to 100 cars from overseas and Australia are expected to compete. Rally Australia will feature not only the World Rally Championship and Production Car World Rally Championship, but also the Coffs Coast forest Rally for the Bosch Australian Rally Championship and the Coffs Coast Classic Rally for classic rally cars.

Rally Australia General Admission tickets can be purchased on-line at ticket.com.au, which also provides full information about ticket choices, including maps and Spectator and Enthusiast Point descriptions.

Purchases also can be made by phoning 132849 or at Ticketek agency retail outlets in all areas of Australia except the Northern Territory.

In Coffs Harbour, rally tickets can be bought at WOW Sight & Sound in the Home Central shopping centre.

Tickets at slightly higher prices also will be for sale to walk-up spectators at stage entry points during the event, when there is unsold capacity.

Rally Australia visitors will find plenty to do in addition to watching the competing cars from ticketed areas.

Entry will be free to the official start in the centre of Coffs Harbour and finish at The Jetty and throughout the weekend at the Service Park at Coffs Harbour Regional Airport.

The region provides a spectacular showcase for the World Rally Championship, ranging from lush semi-tropical rainforest in the hinterland escarpments to more than 70 kilometres of Pacific coastline.

There are many attractions and activities for everyone., including a lively arts scene and a wide range of dining choices for rally visitors.

Abundant accommodation is available in the coastal and hinterland towns and the region is served by frequent daily scheduled flights from Sydney and Brisbane.

Tourism and accommodation information is available at coffscoast.com.au.

Key points:

• Full-event or daily tickets available for daytime Special Stage Spectator Points (full amenities) and Enthusiast Points (limited amenities and capacity) and nighttime Superspecial Stage
• Daily Spectator Points for disabled or limited-mobility ticket-holders
• Tickets and information available pre-event from Ticketek on-line, by phone or at retail outlets
• Tickets for sale on-event at slightly higher prices at stage entry points, pending availability
• Corporate Hospitality options to be announced soon