MOTORSPORT: WRC comes to Oz

An impressive entry list has been received for Coates Hire Rally Australia, the 10th of 13 rounds that make up the 2013 World Rally Championship.

Last held in 2011, the Australian round of the WRC has been alternating with New Zealand since 2009, however, the recent announcement of New Zealand’s withdrawal will see that change and, with the right support, Rally Oz could return full-time.

The stunning Coffs Harbour region plays host to the world’s best rally drivers, with four days of competition commencing on Thursday (September 12).

The day’s 5.54km qualifying stage will determine the WRC driver’s starting order before the ‘ceremonial’ start in Coffs. That evening, the Armor All ‘Super Special Stage’ – where cars compete head to head, two at a time – will excite crowds as the cars twice traverse a mixed 1.6km tarmac/gravel course. It’s the only competitive section where gravel isn’t the sole surface.

For most crews, the rally proper commences on Friday morning with the interestingly named ‘Tuckers Nob’. Like ‘Bellingen’ and ‘Newry’ – the key stage of the day at 24.91km – the Nob will be driven twice, thus forming a total of six forest stages. Teams then return to Coffs for two more passes of the Super Special.

On Saturday things get more serious with the imposing 49.9km ‘Nambucca’ being tackled twice, along with a dual passing of the ‘Valla’ stage and two more Super Special runs.

The final loop on Sunday consists of three more stages, each driven twice: ‘Bucca’, ‘Wedding Bells’ and the 29.44km ‘Shipmans’, which also forms the ‘Power Stage’ (a chance for the Top 10 to gain bonus points) and concludes the rally.

Four manufacturers are represented in the WRC class at this year’s Rally Australia. Volkswagen Motorsport, in its first year of competition with the Polo R WRC, has three entries for its regular crews, including championship leaders Sebastien Ogier (FRA)/Julien Ingrassia (FRA).

This pairing has returned to the championship with a vengeance, winning five of the season’s 10 events to date after taking a year out from the top level to develop the Polo.

Ogier is joined by Jari-Matti Latvala (FIN)/Miikka Anttila (FIN) – winners in Greece – and youngster Andreas Mikklesen (NOR), who will have new co-driver Paul Nagle (IRL) alongside after an injury to his regular partner Mikko Markkula.

The works VWs will face stiff competition from a revitalised Citroen team. The DS3 WRCs have been dominant in previous years, but this year they have struggled against the VWs after nine-times champion Sebastien Loeb decided to do a limited program. Despite this, Loeb has won two of the three rounds he has competed in.

Sealed-surface specialist Dani Sordo broke his duck with victory on the tarmac of Germany, but is being replaced for Australia’s gravel by the promising Kris Meeke (GBR), joined by Chris Patterson (IRL). They will be backed up by DS3 regulars Mikko Hirvonen (FIN)/Jarmo Lehtinen (FIN) and Khalid Al Qassimi (ARE)/Scott Martin (GBR).

Three young guns will compete in Ford Fiesta RS WRCs prepared by the legendary M-Sport team. Citroen refugee Thierry Neuville (BEL) and co-driver Nicolas Gilsoul (BEL) are currently second in the championship, despite failing to win a round so far.

The popular Mads Ostberg (NOR)/Jonas Andersson (SWE) pairing has finished with points in each round, while the fast-but-flippant Evgeney Novikov (RUS)/Ilka Minor (AUT) will hope to match pace with consistency.

The final WRC-class entrant is one close to Aussie hearts. Local boy Nathan Quinn has entered a MINI John Cooper Works WRC for his home event and will be joined by fellow Aussie, David Green. A regular front-runner in production-based categories, Quinn will be looking to capitilise on his knowledge of the roads to frighten the front-runners.

Read the latest news and reviews on your mobile, iPhone or PDA at carsales' mobile site...

Don't forget to register to comment on this article.