[WRC] Kennards Hire Rally Australia 2019

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Originally Posted by tc10a

Destination NSW is nearly complete tarmac.

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Yeah, but there's some sand on the gravel typically. I would say about 25-30% of the rally is now tarmac, but a bigger change is that almost 50% is slow super specials.

There could also be some tarmac patches on the forest stages, I'm not sure which parts of Argents Hill they would use.

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Originally Posted by AnttiL

I'm not sure which parts of Argents Hill they would use.

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Allens and Graces use the first 8-9km (approx.) of the former stage Argents Hills Reverse (both directions)

I really struggle to see anything positive that could come out of running this event in any shape or form. On the other hand, in the worst case scenario it could end up becoming an unmitigated PR-disaster that will really damage the sport in a big way. Taking risks like this is the last thing that WRC should do in the current political climate. And also for me personally, even if everything goes smoothly, the proposed route of 99% super specials while the forests are in flames is just completely tasteless from every possible angle that I try to look at it.

I hope all short-term interests are put aside and a sensible decision is reached asap with cancelling the event altogether.

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Originally Posted by AnttiK7

I really struggle to see anything positive that could come out of running this event in any shape or form. On the other hand, in the worst case scenario it could end up becoming an unmitigated PR-disaster that will really damage the sport in a big way. Taking risks like this is the last thing that WRC should do in the current political climate. And also for me personally, even if everything goes smoothly, the proposed route of 99% super specials while the forests are in flames is just completely tasteless from every possible angle that I try to look at it.

I hope all short-term interests are put aside and a sensible decision is reached asap with cancelling the event altogether.

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+10

Rally Australia organizer deserve all the support but the idea of running a 94 stage kms route on a 3 day full schedule as a WRC event seems totally inadequate and impossible to get FIA’s approval.

Once the teams are already in place and their safety wouldn’t be compromised on the SSS’s, maybe there’s room to arrange some sort of rally demonstration during the weekend, as a tribute and a fund raising event for the families affected by the fires.

I also think cancellation would be perfectly reasonable. Rallying is already drawing the attention of environment activists and to have a rally with burning forests and smoke in the background would be a terrible call. If only 1/3 of the points are available, nothing can change in the leaderboards. Mäkinen and maybe Ogier will complain, but the bigger picture is more important.

Postpone it for a week???

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Originally Posted by Winner

Postpone it for a week???

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not a chance these days, and how's that gonna help? Next week will be bone dry also

I like that idea of demo runs on SSS with proceeds to the emergency services. Good PR and something for fans.

Cancellation would also avoid any awkwardness for Tanak trying to beat his new team.

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Originally Posted by ggg377

I also think cancellation would be perfectly reasonable. Rallying is already drawing the attention of environment activists and to have a rally with burning forests and smoke in the background would be a terrible call. If only 1/3 of the points are available, nothing can change in the leaderboards. Mäkinen and maybe Ogier will complain, but the bigger picture is more important.

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Why should Ogier complain? Well, more likely he will complain about how things are being done now. I would.