Areas around the Coffs Coast of New South Wales that will host next September’s Rally Australia round of the World Rally Championship have not been affected by the recent disastrous Australian floods reported around the world.
The rally base in the city of Coffs Habour is 400 kilometres south of the Queensland State capital Brisbane, where much of the worst flooding occurred just over a week ago.
Although there was some unassociated local flooding due to heavy rain earlier this month in and around the Coffs Coast region, forestry and rural roads on the provisional rally route remain in good condition, Clerk of Course Dr Michelle Gatton said.
“However, while Rally Australia is located a long way from the Queensland floods, we are not untouched by the tragedy.
“Many rally officials and competitors live in south-east Queensland and either have lost possessions or joined the massive volunteer corps assisting with the clean-up and recovery. The best wishes of all the rally community are with them at this time.”
Rally Australia, round 10 of 13 in the 2011 WRC, will be staged on 8-11 September.
Donations to the official Queensland Disaster Relief Appeal can be made on-line from anywhere in the world by visiting www.qld.gov.au/floods/donate.html.