Perth's rally on track

16/6/00Tourism Minister Norman Moore said today that the Federation Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) had confirmed it would only receive an application for a round of the World Rally Championship from Australia's governing body, the Confederation of Australian Motor Sport (CAMS).
The nomination of Perth for inclusion in the World Rally Championship calendar for 2001 had been lodged with the FIA by CAMS in April this year.
"CAMS has confirmed its nomination of Perth," Mr Moore said.
"Accordingly, no Australian venue, other than Perth, will be nominated by CAMS."
Mr Moore's statement follows media speculation last week regarding the move of Australia's round of the FIA World Rally Championship from Perth to Melbourne.
John Osborn, President of CAMS, said that his organisation was pleased to confirm its support for Telstra Rally Australia being held in Perth.
Western Australian Tourism Commission chief executive officer Shane Crockett and Mr Osborn travelled to London earlier this week to talk to Max Mosley, the president of FIA, and David Richards, who holds the television rights for the event.
Mr Moore said that in those meetings, Mr Mosley had confirmed that the FIA would only receive an Australian application for a round of the championship from CAMS and if a choice of venue should emerge it was a matter for CAMS to determine.
Furthermore, Mr Mosley said that the FIA would support the recognised national motor sport body and would not take kindly to any of its national bodies, such as CAMS Ltd, being pushed around.
Mr Mosley had told Mr Crockett and Mr Osborn that the normal processes of the FIA would apply, which required CAMS to nominate the event for World Championship status.
Mr Richards confirmed it was his understanding that it was CAMS' role to make the choice of the venue.
"Perth's Telstra Rally Australia has been an exceptional event for Australia, having won Rally of the Year twice, the most recent being last year," Mr Osborn said.
Mr Moore said he now expected the normal process for the determination of the World Rally Championship calendar to proceed and for an announcement in October this year. He expected Victoria would take heed of Mr Mosley's comments and lend its support to CAMS' nomination of Perth.
"This is the process followed every year," Mr Moore said.
"I hope that this will now put to an end speculation of poaching given the long-term contract between CAMS and the WA Government.
"Internal fighting within Australia can only be damaging to Australia's reputation as a great venue for hosting international events."
Telstra Rally Australia is already confirmed for Perth this year, and will be held from November 9-12.
Media contact: Hartley Joynt, Minister's office, 9321 1444