NGK Rally of Melbourne - September 2-4, 2005

[zetec]

It's on again!!

The Globalstar Australian Rally Championship will be coming to Melbourne again on September 2nd-4th, 2005 (Fri-Sun). It will be appearing mainly through the Yarra Valley and the Dandenongs, and will be an absolutely awesome, different experience. Ford those of you who've never been to a Rally event (myself included) this will be a fantastic, fun and hair-raising experience to see and hear these weekend warriors flying through the forests, carving up the curves and digging up the dirt as they battle for the fastest time through many special stages, culminating in a double run through the De-Bortoli Winery Super Special Stage on Sunday 4th.

I for one will be there on the Sunday, probably also the saturday. Tickets will shortly become available through ticketmaster7, however stay tuned to the link below for media releases and further details. Closer to the day, we'll work out who's interested for either or both days.

Please note that Sunday is Father's Day, potentially a fantastic day to bring Dad along to the Rally and lunch at De Bortoli!!!! Entice him perhaps with an "unknown" gift and offer him the ticket and a bottle of wine when you get there!!

Even if nobody comes I'll still be there with my Rally machine getting the Ford enthusiasts started!!!!! : You may know that Ford has announced they will be re-entering into the Australian Rally Championship with an All-New Ford Focus and I'd like to start getting into the odd Rally just so I can follow them better when they eventually do release it on the roads!!! Still no confirmation from Ford when it will be announced however regardless, I'm still going to Rally of Melbourne!! Show them we're ready for them!!!!!!!!!!!!!


http://www.rally.com.au/rallies/melbourne

[Timmeh]

I'd really like to attend rallies when they get up our way, hope it's good fun.

I am addicted to rallying! :monkes:

Tim

[whippet_zetec]

when I was in WA I got to RALLY AUSTRALIA and it was an awesome experience seeing the WRC cars flying through the forests let alone cruising the public roads of WA (surreal having the Gronholm Peguot pull up at a set of traffic lights next to you)

[zetec]

http://www.rally.com.au/home/features/articleid=1716

Early info on the testing phase of the New Focus Rally Car!!

[OZXR4]

some of the photos of the rally were cool. i will see how much it costs.

[zetec]

Prices announced, $30 unlimited access for the whole weekend or $20 for the Sunday!!!!! Fantastic value, with concessions also available!

NGK Rally Of Melbourne Ticketing Launched

Wednesday, 17 August 2005

"Tickets for the premier event in Australian championship rallying, the NGK Rally of Melbourne, are now on sale.

Contested over two legs in the picturesque Yarra Valley on the weekend of 3 & 4 September, the NGK Rally of Melbourne is the penultimate round of the 2005 Globalstar Australian Rally Championship.

Long regarded as the jewel in the national championship crown, the NGK Rally of Melbourne will again kick off on Friday evening 2 September with the popular ceremonial start in Federation Square.

Rallying’s very best cars and stars will be on display in Federation Square between 3pm and the 6.30pm start time, with a public autograph session from 5.45 to 6.15pm.

Demonstrating tremendous value, ticket prices for the NGK Rally of Melbourne have remained unchanged for three years.

Spectators have the choice of the ‘Rally Weekender’ ticket, which for $30 offers unlimited access to all stages on Saturday and Sunday, plus the famous DeBortoli Super Special which includes the official event finish.

Or for just $20 there’s the choice of Saturday or Sunday ‘Rally Pass’, and for $15 there’s the ‘DeBortoli Super Special Pass’.

Concession prices are available from $10 and children under the age of six are admitted free.

Access to the Federation Square start and the Service Park, at the Yarra Valley Racing Centre (Yarra Glen), are also free.

Tickets to Melbourne’s round of the Globalstar Australian Rally Championship are available on-line from Ticketmaster7 at www.ticketmaster.com.au or by calling 136 100.

They’re also available at the Federation Square ceremonial start, as well as Rally HQ (Yarra Valley Racing Centre, Yarra Glen), the Healesville Visitor Centre and at the entrance to each spectator site including the Yarra Glen Racecouse Bus Stop (on Sunday).

“No one will pay more than twenty dollars for a day ticket,” co-event manager Neil Cuthbert said.

“With the Ben Cairn stage used twice on Saturday, Kalatha twice on Sunday, the double spectator point at Marysville, plus DeBortoli twice on Sunday, spectators will again have a great variety of action to watch throughout the weekend.

“We’ve worked hard again to keep ticket prices as low as possible, and given the cost increases in staging the event over the past three years, to have maintained our prices represents great value … compared to a V8 event these prices are very inexpensive!”

Neil Cuthbert also confirmed that there would be both catering and event commentary at all spectator points.

For further ticketing information for the 2005 NGK Rally of Melbourne go to www.ticketmaster.com.au or phone 136 100. "

[zetec]

Snow A Factor In This Year's NGK Rally Of Melbourne

Thursday, 18 August 2005

Snow-covered roads will present competitors with very challenging conditions in next month's 2005 NGK Rally of Melbourne. Victoria's cold winter and an earlier calendar date has ensured extensive snow cover on two or possibly three stages of this year's fifth round of the Globalstar Australian Rally Championship, to be contested on 3 & 4 September.

It's the first time since 2000 that snow has impacted on the NGK Rally of Melbourne event, and also the first time this year that competitors will face snowy conditions.

“There could be a fairly serious cover of snow on most of the Acheron stage and about a third of Ben Cairn, and we might also see snow on Keppels,” co-event manager Neil Cuthbert confirmed.

“Competing on snow throws up a whole heap of new challenges for the crews … tyre selection becomes critical and because the conditions are so slippery, it can make or break a crew's chances in the event - or the championship.”

Points leader Subaru's Cody Crocker goes to the NGK Rally of Melbourne looking to wrap up his third straight Globalstar Australian Rally Championship title.

But fellow Victorian Scott Pedder (Mitsubishi) is making a late run for the 2005 national series, after winning the previous round in South Australia. Pedder must win the Melbourne event to keep the title alive going into New South Wales' final round.

This year, the NGK Rally of Melbourne will be based at the Yarra Glen Racing Centre in the Yarra Valley. Central to the event's 16 stages (eight each day) including the DeBortoli Winery Super Special Stage, the Yarra Glen facility will feature both Rally Headquarters and the Service Park.

“With DeBortoli's spectating and corporate hospitality just up the road, easy access to all other stages, on-site catering, merchandise and Subaru rally radio in the service park, we are very excited about this new base for the event,” co-event manager Justin Hunt said.

“Access to the Yarra Glen Racing Centre is free, so spectators can get up close to the drivers and cars before heading out into the forests to watch the action … it'll make for a great day's entertainment.”

The NGK Rally of Melbourne will again kick off with the popular ceremonial start in Federation Square on Friday evening 2 September between 3pm and the 6.30pm start time, with a public autograph session from 5.45 to 6.15pm.

Spectators have the choice of the 'Rally Weekender' ticket, which for $30 offers unlimited access to all stages on Saturday and Sunday, plus the famous DeBortoli Super Special which includes the official event finish.


Or for just $20 there's the choice of Saturday or Sunday 'Rally Pass', and for $15 there's the 'DeBortoli Super Special Pass'.

Concession prices are available from $10 and children under the age of six are admitted free. Access to the Federation Square start is free.

[zetec]

I'll be at De Bortoli all day on the Sunday but might venture a little further afield on Saturday to see some random aspects of Rallying. Any ideas, please let me know!! This will be a fun, relaxing weekend for anyone willing to come and we can all pile into one car if need be from the staging points. Definitely worth seeing the Sunday at De Bortoli if you are coming.

www.rally.com.au for detailed info.

Entrant list found here at http://www.rally.com.au/data/melbour...entry_list.pdf

[zetec]

Here's some pics from last year's rally taken from http://www.rally.com.au/rallies/melb...d=0&startrow=1

[zetec]

OK gang, here's the latest info!!!

Ford are going to debut their new 2.0 Duratec 209kw Turbo Focus Mk II at Rally of Bathurst.

I will however now be representing Ford by looking after 2 promo cars at Rally of Melbourne in the Service Park both Saturday and Sunday. There should be 2 nice stickered Zetecs. I'm excited to say the least!! And honoured.

My plans have changed somewhat, however now for anyone who wants to attend, please PM me or post here and I an arrange to meet up with you sometime during the weekend!! I'll learn more about my movements as next week arrives.

SWEET!!!!

[melbzetec]

Good Gig Matt. Congratulations. You'll be like a pig in the proverbial

[zetec]

You can say that again. You still keen on coming, I might have a Fathers Day gift for you!!

[melbzetec]

Can't make it Matt. Family comittments, plus I may need to go overseas for about 10 days in a few weeks time, and the family likes to see me occasionally. Funny That!

[OZXR4]

Hi matt. I have uni until 5pm on a friday in the city so i will be poping down after with my camera to take some happy snaps. perhaps get some autographs too. will you and the foci be there on the friday afternoon. if so let me know and i will catch up with you then.

[zetec]

Mate, I won't be there on the Friday no, I'll just be out in the Yarra Valley over Sat and Sun. Sorry to take so long to post back. Please do take pics and post them here, I'll be also getting pics from the weekend and posting on eurofordclub.com with Tim's help!!

[OZST24]

So how did this end up going? Anyone care to give us a rundown of how it went?

Oh and post some pics!!

[zetec]

In short, it was sensational, really really awesome weather, great cars, not too many people, just magic. I am hooked so hard on Rallying now, more so than ever!!! I took plenty of photos, am editing them (halfway through) and will post the best up when I get a chance, took over 200 pics.

I'll also be at Bathurst for the launch of the car, there's a strong chance I'll be heading up with work again, however I'd still be dead keen to go if I had to go on my own... my boss is already more than happy to let me take a couple of days off to go, I'm just waiting to see if the Team need any help at all again that I can contribute towards. What a dream come true to be part of a factory rally team!!!

I've been flat out lately, I'll be organsing pics, all the hats/jackets you've all asked for any everything ASAP. By the end of the week all should be settled, just been flat out with work and with helping for Rally of Melb.



Check out the tall handsome dude to the left, far left behind the Corolla dressed all in blue. Geez that photographer knows how to catch a pose! :

[zetec]

Here we go with the pics as promised!!

[zetec]

[zetec]

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[outback_ute]

The Escort RS1600 was the best car in the rally! The sound... :sm_drool:

It's a shame I hadn't read this thread earlier, I went out to the service park on Sunday, saw the Focuses displayed near the historic rally cars, watched some of the servicing including Steve Glenney's car being fixed after he rolled it (it is pictured "before" in a post above), it was good to see some of the Toyota crew came across to help him stay in the rally as they had serviced their cars already.

After that I went out to De Bortoli, watched for the first run from the area where you took your pics then went up the other end to another corner where the cars went through twice. Got thoroughly covered in dust but there was some good action.

So... is the new car going to be turbo, awd, what? lol

[zetec]

Yeah it was a great day. I have never had so much fun in a weekend like that!! Thoroughly loved it. As for details, you're as bad as the course announcers! We were standing near them enjoying the bottom corner and they hassled us for info over the loudspeakers! Unfortunately you will have to wait until Rally of NSW for the details to be announced I suspect. I can't wait until they do finally launch it, heck I'd drool at a standard roadgoing focus being thrown around dirt roads!!!!! I'll do anything I can to be there at Bathurst though, can't wait.

[outback_ute]

Originally Posted by zetec

As for details, you're as bad as the course announcers! We were standing near them enjoying the bottom corner and they hassled us for info over the loudspeakers!

Yes I did hear that - the reply was "and that's a shake of the head" or something wasn't it, ie not saying nuthin'

[whippet_zetec]

big effort Matt and love the pics.......

[OZST24]

Great pics Matt! Looked like a great event, pity I was working!

So how about organising a Euro Ford Curise/Show at the unveiling of the new Ford Rally car! Depending on the date I could probably drive up for the event.

[Timmeh]

Nice work Matt!

I have saved all your photos and will upload them to a gallery on eurofordclub.com if you would like me to.

Tim

[zetec]

Tim that's fantastic, thanks mate. I can clear my webspace now!!!!! Brilliant. Look forward to contributing to that gallery more and more!

Stef, mate I'll let you know, I might be heading up for the weekend by road, I'll keep you posted so we can convoy if possible.

outback, you heard right, that was it! It was funny, they tried the day before too! They'll just have to wait like everyone else!!! It's worth the wait though, going to be one hell of a Rally car. Naturally because it's a Ford of course!

[OZXR4]

here are some photos by a mate of mine from the friday session at fed square.

[Teki04]

Originally Posted by ozmondeo

here are some photos by a mate of mine from the friday session at fed square.

where? :

[zetec]

lol can't you see them Teki? You Fiesta drivers... I swear... :