The fastest rally drivers and cars in the world will race beside the shore of Coffs Harbour in New South Wales when an arena-style Super Special Stage returns to Kennards Hire Rally Australia in November.
The Destination NSW Super Special Stage, to be run on Friday and Saturday of the 17-20 November FIA World Rally Championship closing round, is one of the entertainment highlights on offer with tickets now on sale at Ticketek.com
Tickets to nine spectator points across the rally's three competition days are available. Adult prices range from just $29 for a one-day visit to $140 for a three-day Super Pass including grandstand seating at the Super Special Stage.
An early-bird 2-for-1 offer makes Destination NSW Super Special Stage tickets even more enticing – two adults and two children aged under 12 can see the Super Special for $30 total – and, overall, 2016 tickets offer lower prices and better value. Extra discounts are available to visitors who book a Virgin Australia flight and accommodation package.
Fans at the Super Special Stage will see WRC cars complete two runs on a 1.27 kilometre waterfront course on Jordan Esplanade, in the Jetty recreation precinct of the host city.
Action starts at 5 pm each day, ensuring excellent daylight viewing from grandstands and other elevated vantage points and allowing the harbour - one of the Coffs Coast's most spectacular natural assets – to be showcased during a global live television broadcast on Friday.
The Destination NSW Super Special Stage will bring the up-close thrills of World Rally Championship spectating into the heart of one of NSW's most popular tourist destinations.
Against a backdrop of harbour and Pacific Ocean, stars such as World Champion Sebastien Ogier, Australia's Scott Pedder, Mads Ostberg, Ott Tänak and recent round winners Andreas Mikkelsen, Hayden Paddon and Thierry Neuville will tackle a jump and a motocross-style berm corner on the new course.
Rally Australian Chairman Ben Rainsford says the Destination NSW Super Special Stage promises a fun-filled experience for families and rally enthusiasts..
"The Destination NSW Super Special Stage will be in a scenic waterfront setting barely two kilometres from the city centre, where Kennards Hire Rally Australia will have started officially the night before," he said.
"For a very inexpensive price, spectators will see the world's fastest rally drivers and cars in action from great vantage points, in daylight.
"Finally the whole show will be finished in time for people to stroll out of the stage and enjoy dinner at one of the Jetty's many restaurants. It will be a brilliant experience of the best the World Rally Championship has to offer."
The traditional special stages of Kennards Hire Rally Australia will again traverse forestry and rural shire roads north and south of the Coffs Harbour service park and headquarters.
Friday will feature spectator points around Taylors Arm and Urunga in Nambucca Shire and Saturday moves slightly farther north to locations at Talarm, Bowraville, Argents Hill and Newee Creek.
And there will be a bonus for spectators on Friday and Saturday mornings with the new Raleigh Super Special Stage, a 1.37 km test run at a multi-motorsports facility 20 kms south of Coffs Harbour and close to the Pacific Highway. Adult tickets priced at just $10 will be available only at the gate.
Sunday's finale including the televised WRC Power Stage will be played out at the Flooded Gum Rally Village on Wedding Bells Stage. Flooded Gum is expected to attract thousands of spectators to see its popular jump and a new feature that will allow spectators to see each car for a longer time.
Food, drink, live commentary, entertainment, souvenir stands, other attractions and the brilliance of WRC drivers in action will make Flooded Gum an exciting climax to the Kennards Hire Rally Australia weekend.
Member of the NSW Parliament for Coffs Harbour Andrew Fraser says the event will again showcase the region to the world and provide a major boost to the local visitor economy.
"We're delighted the Coffs Coast will host Rally Australia for the fifth time and can't wait to welcome fans back in droves to check out the world's best drivers in action," Mr Fraser said.
"I encourage visitors to head to the Destination NSW Super Special Stage and learn more about what our spectacular coastline and local region has to offer."