The world’s best rally drivers and teams will descend on Coffs Harbour September 12-14, to contest the Coates Hire Rally Australia, round ten of the World Rally Championship.
For the second year, Coates Hire has secured the naming rights to this international event that puts Coffs Harbour on the world stage and brings unrivalled economic benefit to northern NSW.
The crowd favourite this year is sure to be Coates Hire Racing ambassador and Hyundai WRC factory driver Australian Chris Atkinson.
Atkinson spent last year as the development driver for Hyundai and is responsible for the stellar performance of the i-20 that has already scored a podium finish in its debut year.Doing their best to deny Atkinson a win on home soil will be factory teams from VW, Citroen and Ford as well as many top-flight privateer and semi factory teams from around the world.
Announcing the continuation of the naming rights sponsorship Coates Hire’s Group Manager for Marketing Jeremy Hill said: “We are delighted to once again present this world-class event and look forward to watching Coffs Harbour swell with rally fans and teams and witness the world’s finest drivers, co-drivers and teams tackle the forests in the surrounding area”.
Rally Australia Chairman Ben Rainsford said: “Rally Australia welcomes Coates Hire for another year as naming sponsor of this great event. Coates Hire brings its unrivalled expertise and resources to a partnership that is both professional and promotional. With its involvement in Australia’s biggest international motorsport events, there is no better company to provide our extensive infrastructure and logistical needs”.
“As a Coates Hire ambassador It's fantastic the guys will once again partner Rally Australia and support one of the country's premier, international motorsport events” said Chris Atkinson.
“Last year’s event was a fantastic success in 2013 and with even more exciting additions such as the Hyundai Super Special Stage, the Coffs Coast is set for even more action.
“I'm really looking forward to heading out on the stages behind the wheel of the Hyundai Shell World Rally Team i20 WRC and we'll be charging hard for the home crowd in September” he added.
In addition to their naming rights sponsorship, Coates Hire will also provide the non-permanent infrastructure for the event including; power generation and lighting towers, traffic management equipment, portable buildings, portable toilets, temporary fencing and containers.
SRO Motorsports Group is pleased to announce that Marcus Mahy’s recovery is going well. The British driver, involved in a crash during the most recent edition of the Total 24 Hours of Spa, has recently been released from the intensive care unit of the CHU in Liège and hopes to be transferred to Guernsey Hospital soon. It is expected that Mr. Mahy will make a full recovery from the injuries sustained.
Mr. Mahy wishes to thank the medical staff of the CHU and the medical intervention team at the Spa circuit for their care and professional assistance, and all those who have supported him in his continuing recovery.
