Above: Spectators will have plenty of opportunity to see what goes on behind the scenes again this year with Super Special Stages at Yarra Glen and Healesville.By Kath Gannaway
HORSEPOWER won’t be a problem for the 2007 NGK Rally of Melbourne when it takes to the track in the Yarra Valley in November.
According to the event promoter Neil Cuthbert, should the 2007 Spring Racing Carnival fall victim to the recent equine influenza outbreak, Melbourne residents will still be able to get their spring dose of horsepower rally-style.
With no restrictions on interstate or international competitors, Cuthbert said: “It’s full-steam ahead for the four-wheeled NGK Rally of Melbourne.”
The event, the final round of the NEC Australian Rally Championship, starts in Melbourne on Friday 9 November and heads out to the Yarra Valley over the weekend of 10 and 11 for an action-packed finale and crowning of the 2007 Australian Rally Champion.
“The best rally drivers from around the country will converge on the Yarra Valley and do battle all weekend for the last time in 2007,” Cuthbert said.
“They’ll be on some seriously fast and challenging roads, in one of the most picturesque parts of Victoria.”
Following the penultimate round of the NEC Australian Rally Championship in New South Wales a few weeks ago, the Melbourne championship will go down to the wire.
Cuthbert said Toyota Racing Development driver Simon Evans holds a 119-point advantage over teammate Neal Bates in the championship battle.
Evans, from Melbourne, has been the dominant force in 2007 and is looking to wrap up the championship on home turf for the second consecutive year.
The NGK Rally of Melbourne will kick off on the Friday night at New Quay in Docklands.
From there, a big field of ARC and Victorian Rally Championship contenders will head in to the Yarra Valley.
Cuthbert said spectators would have plenty of great viewing opportunities during the event.
“In addition to exciting viewing points in the forest stages, spectators at the all-new Super Special Stages at the Yarra Glen Showgrounds on Saturday and Don Road sporting complex in Healesville will get a birds-eye view of the rally action. Tickets for the rally go on sale on Friday through Ticketek. Rally information is available on www.rallyofmelbourne.com.au.
