Rally in pole position for economic flow-on

IN a win for Western Australian events tourism, Perth has secured the final round in the 2004 World Rally Championship.

The Telstra Rally Australia will be held from November 12 to 14, a prime position on the rally calendar at the end of the rally season. That means potential flow-on economic benefits for WA, as the teams may choose to wind down in the State on their end-of-year break.

Last year Telstra Rally attracted 2,800 interstate and overseas visitors and injected $20 million into the local economy.

Western Australian Tourism Commission chief executive Richard Muirhead said the announcement was good news for the WA tourism industry.

“The tourism benefits will be enormous with teams, their families and spectators having the opportunity to extend their stay and enjoy what our State has to offer,” he said.

Telstra Rally Australia clerk of course Adrian Stafford said rally teams had expressed their excitement at returning to Perth for the final round and for the opportunity to stay on afterwards.

“Our November placing on the calendar will provide near perfect conditions for the rally,” he told WA Business News.

“The proposed new regulations will allow Telstra Rally Australia to return to the unique Australian atmosphere of previous rallies by visiting more local communities and areas of interest on each leg of the event”

Telstra Rally Australia general manager Bruce Robins said this year’s event was a huge success.

The World Motor Sport Council also announced new changes to the World Rally Championship next year, including an increase to 16 rounds and a modified event format.