Why Rally Australia should not leave Perth

[Holden2003]

We have all known for close to 18 months that this will be the last Rally Aus in WA. Its a real sad occasion :(. I have not attended it, because I went last year and wanted to remember the event when it had more then 2 manufacturers and household name drivers.

The first reason is based on economic gain. It was argued that WRC will only bring $1.60 for every $1 invested. The Red Bull Air Race, according to the West Aust will bring $1.89 per $1, which is marginally better. Aparently there will be media coverage to add value to the air race, but this has not been counted with the Rally, which goes over worldwide. Also, the air race is going to be a free event for spectators, with Red Bull paying for the use of the Swan River. You can't sell tickets for it, so they have to depend on the fee Red Bull pays for the event.

Rally Australia is the fans and teams favourite event on the calender. I have world rally radio live on 88.9FM all weekend and they talk about how fantastic Perth is and will be missed. There have been so many inventions, such as eye in the sky, park ferme and Super Specials, that have been invented in Perth. It has been the home of modern Rallying, which is to get fans closer to the event. In my opinion, it should be 1 of 7 permanent events on the calender (Monte Carlo, Sweden, Safari, Finland, France and Great Britain as others) because of what it has done for the WRC and the unique surface that is in perth.

This event is perth's signature event of the year. There is no bigger event in Perth. It has so many volunteers and goes into remote areas of WA, as well as being based in Perth's CBD. It has had a deep history over 19 years. And the WRC, unlike the air race, is a sport. The Red Bull Air Race is definetely 1 of the many ad campaigns red Bull runs.

I am looking forward to the Air Race, but Rally Australia should not be going. Wihout making this into politics, my opinion is that someone in the Labor Party does not like it and has an alterior motive to get rid of it. Had there been a liberal party in power, I don't think this event would be going to Queensland.

[ratbag-racing]

Being a Queenslander i welcome the circus with open arms & open wallet.

[wayno]

I'll reserve judgement until I actually see what a Queensland event has to offer. Perth will be soreky missed though. The two events that I attended were amongst the best motorsport events I've ever been to.

[ratbag-racing]

I'll reserve judgement until I actually see what a Queensland event has to offer. Perth will be soreky missed though. The two events that I attended were amongst the best motorsport events I've ever been to.

I have free spare bedrooms & a big bar fridge, would that change your judgement ?:D

[wayno]

I have free spare bedrooms & a big bar fridge, would that change your judgement ?:D

Probably!

[singer]

Its all academic now as the WA Govt has withdrwan support:mad:

Similar to the ACT Govt withdrawing support from the GMC 400 (June a stupid time of year to have a round in Canberra) & the Rally of Canberra.:mad:

And after promising a Dragway at the last 2 elections, they're dragging their feet on this one too!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:(

All pandering to a VOCAL minority:rolleyes:

[Nobes]

Its all academic now as the WA Govt has withdrwan support

Similar to the ACT Govt withdrawing support from the GMC 400 (June a stupid time of year to have a round in Canberra) & the Rally of Canberra.:mad:

And after promising a Dragway at the last 2 elections, they're dragging their feet on this one too!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:(

All pandering to a VOCAL minority:rolleyes:

I agree with you on all the above. :)

[Leigh]

Gee, 20% more is not "marginally better"...If changing my investments meant that much more, then I'd pamper the thought too:D

Always better to pamper the vocal minority than the silent minority...The majority couldn't give a hoot!

[inter]

I'll reserve judgement until I actually see what a Queensland event has to offer. Perth will be soreky missed though. The two events that I attended were amongst the best motorsport events I've ever been to.


Wayno, having never attended a wrc event, what was special about it ( serious question). Wasm it just the racing or all the complete event?

[wayno]

Every spectator stage was different and half the fun was having your own little event to get to the next stage as quickly as possible down roads you would normally never drive on.
We used to do the WRC cars and the first few Group N's and then jump in the car and fly off to another stage to see how many times we could see the WRC cars in a day.
Standing out after a hike into the forest and then watching these cars fly through on the edge is something that has to be seen to be believed.
Having an esky in the boot for 'dust control' helps as well. ;)
Then there's how close you can get to the drivers (no attitudes here) and the thrill of driving down the road amongst these guys on the way to the next stage.
If WRC is back in Oz in 2008 I'll be there for sure. I just love it (and the photos are pretty satisfying when you get 'em back as well).

[wayno]

I hope Queensland will be as good. I think half the fun of Perth as well is that I did the event with my brother and he's as mad as I am! ;)

[toddy05]

Qld is not even on 2007 calendar
http://www.rallysportmag.com.au/home/index.php?opt ion=com_content&task=view&id=135&Itemid=2
When has Australia been told it is getting another WRC round?

[Chev_350]

Qld is not even on 2007 calendar
http://www.rallysportmag.com.au/home/index.php?opt ion=com_content&task=view&id=135&Itemid=2
When has Australia been told it is getting another WRC round?

in 2008

[Martin Thomas]

Every spectator stage was different and half the fun was having your own little event to get to the next stage as quickly as possible down roads you would normally never drive on.
We used to do the WRC cars and the first few Group N's and then jump in the car and fly off to another stage to see how many times we could see the WRC cars in a day.
Standing out after a hike into the forest and then watching these cars fly through on the edge is something that has to be seen to be believed.
Having an esky in the boot for 'dust control' helps as well. ;)
Then there's how close you can get to the drivers (no attitudes here) and the thrill of driving down the road amongst these guys on the way to the next stage.
If WRC is back in Oz in 2008 I'll be there for sure. I just love it (and the photos are pretty satisfying when you get 'em back as well).

Being the devils advocate, this would appeal to less West Australians than taking a blanket, throwing it down on one of our many 'boring' green grassed viewing areas and letting the kids play with a footy, get their face painted or just run around. All this while laying down and enjoying the weather. Doesn't mean I'm happy it's going, but I can understand why the government is doing it.

Just as a point, Im a mechanic and can't remember the last time someone from the workshop I work in went down to watch the rally but I know of 4 people heading down to watch the air race next month. Matter of fact, when I was an apprentice and we were in Perth for tech. many years ago, I could not get anyone interested to go and watch the rally, too daunting, apparently.. We went out to the casino, instead..:rolleyes:

[Tumbo]

in 2008

there has been word though that the FIA have tabled the calender in a way that if prepared by early next yr Qld could make an appearance; highly unlikely though

[rex555]

Just as a point, Im a mechanic and can't remember the last time someone from the workshop I work in went down to watch the rally but I know of 4 people heading down to watch the air race next month. Matter of fact, when I was an apprentice and we were in Perth for tech. many years ago, I could not get anyone interested to go and watch the rally, too daunting, apparently.. We went out to the casino, instead..:rolleyes:

I believe that rallying needs to be experienced to be understood. Someone asked me once why I go out there and it is hard to describe. Driver for hours to stand in the rain/cold/heat/dust to watch a bunch of cars drive past once and then race off to the next point to do it all again. And then at the end of it all you don't even know who is winning and have to watch the news that night to find out (if you're home in time). Sounds bizarre to me as I write it. But once you are out there you have the camaradere of like minded people who have gone to some effort for the same reason that you have, it all starts to make some sense. (Generally) its not the cossetted experience that circuit racing is. No facilities, amenities and the beer tent, as wayno says, is in the boot of the car. And I wouldn't have it any other way. :D

[Buffalo]

To watch or compete in a rally event you must have a streak of adventure ... it's not just about sitting in a grandstand and watching a circuit race - that would be too easy. After just completing watching and chasing Rally Oz around the countryside I can say that it was rewarding and also hardwork ... up at 5am each morning to pack our gear and head out ... we had never been to any of the places before so we navigated ourselves to the various spectator locations on Fri/Sat/Sun ....crawled over and trekked through the forrest.... saw lots of countryside that I would never have seen before .... got dirty ... drank some ... chatted to people we did not know .... some from Ireland and Norway .... laughed at the Irish lads on a drinking binge in the forrest ... saw some great WRC action ... saw some great Group N action .... crawled through the tree's to get a photo ... ran into Chris Atkinson and Glenn Mcneall on the roadside... got to see the other drivers up close at the "regroup".

BUT ... I do acknowledge to enjoy this kind of activity you need to be a passionate motorsport and adventure type person .... It would not appeal to the vast majority - it's not easily acesible and what Martin said is probably very accurate ... it's a purist sport and it's very unfortunate that it cannot be sustained in WA as WA has some absolutely fantastic challenging roads and countryside ... I'm heading back to Brisbane today and can;t wait for the next rally - One of the Irish blokes has pretty much convinced my wife that WRC Germany and Finland are a must .... mmmm another motorsport adventure coming up;)

[Tumbo]

and of course with Rally Ireland joining the WRC next yr the event will have not only the fastest stages but also the most WRC entries ;) how can it fail; Ireland has the most WRC cars not only per population but in number as well :D

[rex555]

One of the Irish blokes has pretty much convinced my wife that WRC Germany and Finland are a must .... mmmm another motorsport adventure coming up;)

I can confirm that Rally Germany is well worth the trip. Had a great time there and well organized too. The wife wants to go to Scandinavia for her 40th so if we can wangle it we may have to be there for the rally as well ;)

[Leigh]

To watch or compete in a rally event you must have a streak of adventure ... it's not just about sitting in a grandstand and watching a circuit race - that would be too easy. After just completing watching and chasing Rally Oz around the countryside I can say that it was rewarding and also hardwork ... up at 5am each morning to pack our gear and head out ... we had never been to any of the places before so we navigated ourselves to the various spectator locations on Fri/Sat/Sun ....crawled over and trekked through the forrest.... saw lots of countryside that I would never have seen before .... got dirty ... drank some ... chatted to people we did not know .... some from Ireland and Norway .... laughed at the Irish lads on a drinking binge in the forrest ... saw some great WRC action ... saw some great Group N action .... crawled through the tree's to get a photo ... ran into Chris Atkinson and Glenn Mcneall on the roadside... got to see the other drivers up close at the "regroup".
That's very different to my experience at Rally of Melbourne...sitting in a comfy chair being fed (free) exotic food and lovely (free) beer for me, and soft drinks for the kids...all with live timing beamed in on the monitor and a nice marquee over our head to keep the rain off;)

[wayno]

That's very different to my experience at Rally of Melbourne...sitting in a comfy chair being fed (free) exotic food and lovely (free) beer for me, and soft drinks for the kids...all with live timing beamed in on the monitor and a nice marquee over our head to keep the rain off;)

That's not rally spectating to me! :p

[05shan]

Not to peeve all the WA guys, but i cant wait till the WRC hits south east QLD in '08. I've always wanted to see it first hand.

[malscar]

That's very different to my experience at Rally of Melbourne...sitting in a comfy chair being fed (free) exotic food and lovely (free) beer for me, and soft drinks for the kids...all with live timing beamed in on the monitor and a nice marquee over our head to keep the rain off;)

So why did you leave home? Maybe it was because someone else was paying for your grog?

I always found the fun of it was walking into a stage and finding your own private spectator point. Can't do that now unless you are part of the organising group.:)

[lachlan]

I don't mind if its Perth or Queensland, I still have to pay Air fares, accommodation, car hire........ I can always go to the NZ Rally anyway but there's no way I'm going to perth to watch the air race.

[Mux]

I think it was the worst decision the Government couple have made in regards to getting rid of it, i am not a big fan but i enjoy any type of motorsport and the more here in Perth the better. I went to the super special stage on friday night and quite enjoyed it (also had a giggle seeing the little 13 year olds bursting their time trial engine into flames hehe).

However, what QLD and IQG have planned for it is monumental, don't expect it there in 2007 but 2008 it will be there are it's going to be awesome!