Sunshine Coast sports fans will meet some of the biggest stars of the International Rally of Queensland when members of the Proton R3 Malaysia rally team make an exclusive appearance at a Sport-Biz lunch at Coolum Surf Cub on Friday 30 July.
Drivers Chris Atkinson and Alister McRae and their respective co-drivers Stephane Prevot and Bill Hayes will arrive at the lunch immediately after completing a morning shakedown session with other contenders from Japan, India, Indonesia, New Zealand, New Caledonia and Australia for the biggest championship rally to be staged in Australia this year.
After competing with mixed success in the first three rounds of the 2010 FIA Asia Pacific Rally Championship in Malaysia, Japan and New Zealand, the factory-backed Proton R3 Malaysia team will arrive on the Sunshine Coast determined that their only Australian appearance this year delivers a podium result.
The Sport-Biz lunch will be hosted by Coast sports media identity Benny Pike.
It will offer sports fans more used to football, surfing or athletic personalities an opportunity not to be missed for a first-hand insight into the high-speed, high-pressure world of international rallying, says International Rally of Queensland Director Errol Bailey.
“Chris and Alister are among the elite group of the world’s best rally drivers. Their busy schedules don’t stop for long, so it’s a huge attraction to have them competing on the Sunshine Coast and attending the Sport-Biz lunch at Coolum Surf Club,” Mr Bailey said.
“The Sport-Biz lunch is an especially appropriate venue for their appearance, as the rally organisers are keen for Coast business representatives to experience how the International Rally of Queensland is able to make a significant contribution to the local economy and their own enterprises.”
Atkinson, the 30-year-old Monaco-based Queenslander who spent four years in the Subaru World Rally Team after winning Rally Queensland in 2004, will be joined on his “home” rally by his Belgian co-driver Prevot.
McRae, 39, is a member of Britain’s most famous rally dynasty.
His late brother Colin was 1995 World Rally Champion and father Jimmy a five-time British Champion. Alister won the British Championship also in 1995 and has contested the World Championship as a factory driver for Mitsubishi and Hyundai.
On his first Queensland visit, the Scottish driver will be guided by experienced Australian co-driver Bill Hayes.
The Sport-Biz rally lunch will start with drinks from 11.30 am, followed at 12 midday by a two-course lunch with wines, beer or soft drinks from the club’s function room, which provides magnificent ocean views.
Tickets cost $65 per head and can be purchase by phoning Coolum Surf Club on (07) 5446 1148.
Rally tickets are on sale now at www.rallyqueensland.com.au. Corporate Hospitality facilities for business guests are available at the Coates Hire Rally Shootout at Caloundra and the Imbil forestry Special Stages.
Rally Spectator Information
Friday 30 July
(from 7.30pm Super Special Stages 1, 2)
5.30 pm Caloundra, Coates Hire Rally Shootout super special stage and rally show (tickets required)
Saturday 31 July
(from 8.25am Special Stages 2-10)
8am Kenilworth, competitor service break
5 pm Cooroy, rally crews meet-and-greet and car display
5.30pm Imbil, U ROCK with IROQ dance party
All day Imbil, Spectator Park (tickets required)
All day Imbil, Novus Autoglass Service Park
Sunday 1 August
(from 8.22am, Special Stages 11-18)
All day Imbil, Spectator Park (tickets required)
All day Imbil, Novus Autoglass Service Park
3.30pm Imbil, Novus Autoglass Service Park, official finish and podium presentation
Ticket Prices
(General Admission tickets discounted 20 percent until 26 July)
Friday 30 July
Coates Hire Rally Shootout, Caloundra
General Admission, adult $20, child (under 14) $5
Corporate Hospitality Party Deck, adult $145 (10 people, pay for nine $1305), includes two-course meal, bar, parking
Saturday 31 July, Sunday 1 August
Imbil Spectator Park
General Admission, per day adult $15, child (under 14) $5
Corporate Hospitality, per day $99 (10 people, pay for nine $891), includes two-course meal, bar, parking
Event Super Pass (Friday, Saturday, Sunday)
General Admission adult $35, child (under 14) $10
On-line tickets and spectator information are available at www.rallyqueensland.com.au.
The International Rally of Queensland is benefiting from Significant Regional Event Scheme (SRES) funding under the Queensland Events Regional Development Program (QERDP).
The QERDP is an investment program designed to extend the flow of economic and social benefits of events to regional Queensland. The SRES celebrates and supports those events that have a particularly strong track record of growth and economic success for their region.
A state-wide initiative, the program is committed to enhancing existing events in regional Queensland, as well as assisting in the establishment of new events.
Since the QERDP began in 2001, more than $15.3 million has been invested in 705 regional events, an indicator of the important role these events play in their communities and wider Queensland.
IROQ also is supported by the Sunshine Coast Regional Council.