Australian bush fire concerns lead to WRC finale cancellation

Driven
  • Sign in required

    Please sign in to your account to add a vehicle to favourite

  • Share this article

Photos / Greg Henderson

Photos / Greg Henderson

Due to an increasing threat from the devastating bush fires, officials have decided to pull the plug on the final round of the World Rally Championship set to be held in Australia this weekend.

Rapidly spreading fires are currently closing in on the event's Coffs Harbour base, and safety concerns throughout the week have finally led to the cancellation announcement. 

According to Autosport, a confirmation email has been sent to the FIA and WRC Promoters from rally officials, and a public announcement is currently in the works from course clerk Wayne Kenny. 

Just yesterday, a substantially shortened route was released in the hopes that the event would still run, which cut the original 324km route down to just 94km. The decision to cancel was made earlier today. 

While a public comment hasn't come from any of the teams as of yet, it is understood that there was universal approval.

Reports revealed anger among the participants just this morning as the rally was still going ahead despite the mass evacuations and travel restrictions that were put in place around the fires.

The 2019 Driver’s Championship title was decided last month with Estonia’s Ott Tanak (Toyota) completing the Spanish round with an unassailable points lead. The cancellation confirms Hyundai’s Thierry Neuville (Belgium) will be the runner-up in the championship ahead of Citroen’s Sebastien Ogier (France) who ends his reign as the WRC champion after six years.

The Manufacturers’ title goes to Hyundai Motorsport for the first time. The Korean marque was preparing for the Australian finale with an 18-point advantage over Toyota Gazoo Racing.
Rally Australia won’t return to the WRC calendar in 2020. New Zealand takes its place with an Auckland-based event running from September 3-6.