Wet weather deals fatal blow on Rally Queensland

After much deliberation throughout Saturday, organisers have been forced to cancel Rally Queensland.

Significant rain has fallen in the rally’s region in recent days, but a call to cancel the rally was made at the eleventh hour.

Just minutes before cars were scheduled to leave the Gympie service park for Saturday’s stages, the word was communicated about the cancellation of the event.

Crews were suiting up and getting ready in preparation for action just before 2:30pm when the decision came through from organisers.

While itinerary changes were made late on Friday night and again on Saturday morning, the safety of competitors was always at the forefront of minds.

Reconnaissance continued on Saturday morning for those who had not yet finished the job on Friday, but the treacherous conditions were still impassable and unsafe, particularly on the Glastonbury stage.

Meetings were held between key players on Saturday, with some of the top-seeds clear on their intentions not to run.

The ARC made a brief statement, which they will expand on:

“After lengthy discussions between competitors, the ARC, Motorsport Australia and the event organisers, the Brisbane Sporting Car Club, the decision was made to cancel the event,” it read.

“During the consultation with competitors, there were safety concerns raised to organisers about the suitability of the roads, as well as the risk of not running a full event.”

Clerk of Course, Brian Everitt, thanked everyone for their support.

“This is a really unfortunate situation for everyone and it breaks my heart that we have had to make it,” he said.

“We spent a lot of time trying to get this event up and tried everything we could to come up with a solution but unfortunately the weather beat us to it.

“I would like to thank the authorities, including Gympie Police on their ongoing assistance and the whole Gympie Regional Council for their incredible support in the lead up to this event.

“It’s disappointing from an organisers perspective but we will be back.

“On a final note, this region has gone through tough times recently and it would be a nice gesture if all competitors could show some support and have dinner in the town.”

This leaves Victoria’s Gippsland Rally as the next round of the Australian Rally Championship in a month’s time.