By alley - Sep 4, 2015, 12:01 PM ET

2015 Coates Hire Rally Australia - preview

Sport news

The FIA World Rally Championship contenders head ‘down under’ for the 10th round of the series, Coates Hire Rally Australia, which is based in the coastal resort of Coffs Harbour in New South Wales. Fast and technical gravel stages run in picturesque forests and open countryside lay in wait and, despite some changes to the route, it still remains one of the most compact on the calendar.

After its commanding podium lock-out on the last round in Germany, Volkswagen Motorsport heads to Australia with all three titles within its grasp. In the Drivers’ and Co-drivers’ Championships, it is now guaranteed that only a Volkswagen crew will be crowned the 2015 FIA World Rally Champions, and once again Sébastien Ogier and Julien Ingrassia are in pole position at the head of the leaderboard. In the Manufacturers’ Championship, the team also has the opportunity to seal its third consecutive title with the Polo R WRC.

The battle in the FIA WRC 2 Championship continues in Australia too. Nasser Al-Attiyah currently leads and will be looking to capitalise on his position, being that only two of his five closest rivals will be contesting the event.

Three stages will be broadcast live on television; SS10, Valla, on Saturday and the two runs through Wedding Bells on Sunday, the second of which counts as the Power Stage.

Total distance:
Stage distance:
Number of stages:

1,023.70 km
311.36 km (30.42%)
17

MEDIA ACCREDITATIONThe Accreditation Centre is located in the Media Centre at Coffs Harbour Education Campus (T Block), Cnr Hogbin & Stadium Drive, Coffs Harbour. The opening hours are:

Tuesday 8 September
Wednesday 9 September
Thursday 10 September

14:00 – 18:00 hrs
08:00 – 20:00 hrs
08:00 – 20:00 hrs

RALLY AUSTRALIA TIMETABLE AND MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES ORGANISED BY THE FIA

Wednesday 9 SeptemberMandatory rally by rally photographers briefing,
photographers' room

Thursday 10 September
Shakedown (P1 and P2 drivers)
Shakedown (P1, P2 and P3 drivers - optional)
Shakedown (All drivers - optional)
Meet the Crews, WRC Stage, Service Park
FIA Press Conference, Press Room
Rally Show, Coffs Harbour City Centre
Ceremonial start, Coffs Harbour City Centre

Friday 11 SeptemberFirst car arrives for regroup, service and
Media Zone
First car arrives for final service and Media Zone
End of day ‘Meet the Crews’, WRC Stage, Service Park

Saturday 12 September
Regroup, Bowraville
First car arrives for service and Media Zone
Regroup, Bowraville
First car arrives for final service and Media Zone
End of day 'Meet the Crews', WRC Stage, Service Park

Sunday 13 SeptemberRegroup, Wedding Bells
First car arrives for regroup, service and
Media Zone
Regroup, Wedding Bells
First car arrives for final service and Media Zone
Prize-Giving and podium ceremony
FIA Press Conference, Press Room

18:00 hrs

08:00-09:30 hrs
09:30-11:30 hrs
11:30-13:30 hrs
12:00 hrs
13:30 hrs
16:00 hrs
17:22 hrs

11:52 hrs

17:19 hrs
During the 45' service

11:33 hrs
13:28 hrs
16:56 hrs
19:30 hrs
During the 45' service

08:46 hrs
10:19 hrs

12:30 hrs
13:58 hrs
15:00 hrs
16:00 hrs

FIA PRESS CONFERENCE ATTENDANCE

Thursday 10 September

Sunday 13 September

Scott Pedder, FIA WRC 2 Championship
Abdulaziz Al-Kuwari, FIA WRC 2 Championship
Kris Meeke, Citroën Total Abu Dhabi World Rally Team
Hayden Paddon, Hyundai Motorsport
Ott Tanak, M-Sport World Rally Team
Sebastien Ogier, Volkswagen Motorsport

Winning FIA WRC 2 Championship crew
Top three crews in the overall classification
Representative of the winning entrant

ADDITIONAL MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES

‘Meet the Crews’: On Friday and Saturday the top three drivers will attend a ‘Meet the Crews’ session for media and fans. This will take place on the WRC Stage at the earliest opportunity during the 45’ service.

Autograph Signing Session: On Friday and Saturday selected crews will be available for a 15 minute autograph session. This will take place in the service park during the end of day service at the teams’ service areas.

The provisional classifications for all the WRC Championships can be found on the following link:

http://www.fia.com/events/world-rally-championship/season-2015/standings

Shortly after the finish of the event, a downloadable stage chart showing the progressive positions of the leading crews during the rally will be available. This is copyright free for editorial purposes and available at the following link:

http://www.fia.com/events/world-rally-championship/season-2015/stage-chart-8

World Rally ChampionshipRally AustraliaWRC

SEASON 2015SportRalliesSportWorld Rally ChampionshipRalliesWRCSEASON 2015Rally Australia00Friday, September 4, 2015 - 5:48pmFriday, September 4, 2015 - 5:48pm

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