As a South African, I carry on the sporting rivalry enjoyed between South Africa and Australia. Of course, South Africa are reigning Rugby World Cup Champions and former Cricket World Champions too. However, for this coming weekend I wish to be an Australian citizen.
Returning to the WRC calendar after missing a year in 2010, WRC Rally Australia welcomes a new route and a new home for this year’s edition.
The organisers moved the event from the Northern Rivers area used in 2009 to the Coffs Coast region of New South Wales, 300km south.
For this all-gravel rally that has already seen rally action, the roads used are fast, wide and sweeping. Crews will tackle 26 stages over 369 competitive kilometres, and the event includes a superspecial stage in The Jetty precinct of Coffs Coast Harbour waterfront on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights.
Day One’s stages take in the hinterland area around Coffs Harbour. Saturday’s route heads south before crews tackle stages north of the town on Sunday. The permanent service park will be housed at Coffs Harbour Regional Airport, 10km away from the event’s headquarters in the Opal Cove Resort.
The WRC Entry List reads as folllows:
01) S. Loeb/D. Elena (Citroën)
02) S. Ogier/J. Ingrassia (Citroën)
03) M. Hirvonen/J. Lehtinen (Ford)
04) J-M. Latvala/M. Anttila (Ford)
05) M. Wilson/S. Martin (Ford)
06) E. Novikov/D. Giradet (Ford)
10) K. Al Qassimi/M. Orr (Ford)
11) P. Solberg/C. Patterson (Citroën)
12) D. Oliviera/C. Magalhaes (MINI)
14) P. Van Merksteijn/E. Mombaerts (Citroën)
43) K. Block/A. Gelsomino (Ford)
To predict a winner here will be most difficult. An all-French battle for the overall win is likely, but which of the Sebs take the trophy is anyones guess. The Fords will need to push hard here to reel in the runaway success of the Citroën DS3 WRC, and Hirvonen and Latvala have both shown tremendous pace on gravel. Will this be the win Ford WRC is seeking?