By Ian Neubauer

Events NSW and the Confederation of Australian Motor Sports (CAM) have announced a new international motor sport event for the Tweed Coast worth an estimated $100 million.

Last run in Perth in 2006, The Repco Rally Australia is part of the World Rally Championship calendar. The inaugural event will take place in September next year and return every second year from then on.    

Events NSW chief executive, Geoff Parmenter, said he was delighted to have beaten three other competing states to secure the event.

“Hosting the World Rally Championship — the highest profile four wheeled motor sport championship after Formula One — on a regular basis in regional NSW will drive tourism, create jobs and deliver major economic benefits to the community,” he said, adding that the rally would generate more than $100 million of direct economic benefit over the life of the agreement.

The rally will be headquartered in Kingscliff’s Salt Resort and cover ground in the Tweed and Kyogle Shires, with a service park constructed on the beach nearby. Exact route details will be confirmed in the coming months but there will be approximately 16 gravel stages in the Kyogle, Murwillumbah and Mullumbimby areas.

“From a competitors’ point of view, they have chosen a region that offers outstanding rally roads and the very best infrastructure for all the teams,” said Subaru World Rally Team driver, Chris Atkinson, who lives on the Gold Coast.

“From a fan and sponsor point of view, it really is going to be excellent, with all the action of the rally plus first class tourist facilities.”

The deal with Events NSW is for an initial five events, with an option to extend for a further five events. It will also see teams take part in part in promotional activities in Sydney to kick-off the rally week.

For more information about the Repco Rally Australia launch, click here.