Rally Australia has confirmed one of the strongest fields of this year’s World Rally Championship for the 8-11 September event.

13 World Rally Cars will head Down-Under for the Coffs Harbour-based event, the first time the WRC has been on Australian shores for two years.

31 cars have entered the full international component of the World Rally Championship event, with further entries to be confirmed in the Australian Rally Championship segment and historic fields.

Heading the entry is defending seven-time World Champion Sebastien Loeb as part of a five-car Citroen DS3 WRC effort that also includes 2007 Formula 1 World Champion Kimi Raikkonen.

Not to be outdone Ford will have seven Fiesta RS WRC cars including the full factory entries for defending two-time Rally Australia winner Mikko Hirvonen and Jari-Matti Latvala; plus YouTube sensation Ken Block in his Monster World Rally Team entry.

The newest member of the WRC family, Mini, will also have a John Cooper Works WRC entry for Daniel Oliveira from Brazil.

The 10th round of the 2011 FIA World Rally Championship will start on Thursday 8 September with the first of three nightly Super Special Stage competitions beside the Coffs Harbour Jetty waterfront. Rally Australia will finish in the same area on Sunday 11 September after teams from around the world complete 26 stages and almost 370 kilometres of high-speed action to the north, south and west of the rally base.

Interest has been high with strong pre-event ticket sales.

While ticket prices start from only $15, a $99 Event Super Pass allowing entry to a gravel Special Stage spectator park every day and the Super Special Stages every night is overwhelmingly the most popular ticket bought so far at Ticketek.com.au.

Pre-event ticket prices from Ticketek are cheaper than on-event gate prices and ensure access to Spectator and Enthusiast points.

“If you want to save money, avoid queues at the gate and ensure the gravel Special Stage Spectator or Enthusiast point you choose is not full when you get there, it’s best to buy a ticket now,” said Rally Australia General Manager Michael Masi.

“There’s a wide choice of daily and all-event passes to suit any budget or preference, but the $99 Event Super Pass is great value and I’m not surprised it represents a high proportion of the ticket sales so far.”

Tickets are available exclusively from Ticketek, via the internet, phone and retail outlets throughout Australia, including the Coffs Harbour Wow Sight and Sound store.

Dedicated spectator locations on daily country stages in the Nambucca, Bellingen, Coffs Harbour and Clarence Valley regions and the waterfront Super Special Stage.

Spectator Points will provide full amenities, including shuttle transport or parking, food, beverage and souvenir outlets and toilets. Grandstand seating will be available at the Super Special Stage.

Enthusiast Points on daytime stages are designed for more adventurous spectators.

They will provide better vantage points, but may involve walk-in access and fewer amenities. Crowd capacity will be capped, with tickets sold on a first-served basis.

ENTRY LIST: Rally Australia – WRC