Rally Australia remains hopeful of securing its future amid a push from New Zealand to return to the World Rally Championship calendar in 2018.
The two nations shared WRC hosting rights in the past having operated a year-to-year rotation which ended in 2012, leaving New Zealand absent from the calendar ever since.
After a relocation to Coffs Harbour, Rally Australia become a mainstay on the schedule since 2013 with event organisers working to secure an extension to its contract that expires next year.
Keen to impress the FIA, this year’s edition has seen its growth continue, aided by a new November date that sees it avoid a clash with Supercars and NRL and AFL finals.
However, its position on the calendar could face opposition from New Zealand with a push to resurrect the event well underway.
Rally New Zealand will return next year as part of the domestic rally championship with organisers hoping to use it as a test for a possible 2018 WRC return.
The bid has been given further credence with Kiwi Hyundai factory star Hayden Paddon behind the bid as the event’s ambassador.
While Rally Australia’s future beyond 2017 is yet-to-be confirmed, chairman Ben Rainsford says the FIA has been impressed this weekend and is confident the event has a strong case to warrant a new contract.
He also believes a return to a rotational policy with New Zealand would be a detriment to the sport in the region.
“The process will take a while and in their (FIA) minds regarding post 2017 they are not looking too much beyond that yet, but we will keep pushing (for a new contract),” Rainsford told Speedcafe.com.
“The FIA have been very positive about a number of aspects of our event that are unique and are supportive of them.
“They are certainly impressed with what we do regarding the environment and the organisation side of it.
“It (New Zealand’s bid) is not for us to worry about. We have just got to do the best job we can and we know if we do that, we will have a pretty strong argument.
“We have tried a rotational system (with Rally New Zealand) and that nearly killed the sport in this region.”
Rallying is enjoying a resurgence in New Zealand courtesy of Paddon’s rise to prominence in the WRC.
The 29-year-old, lying third in Rally Australia this weekend, is eager for his country to return in 2018.
He believes there is support in the paddock and the FIA for its return, but feels Australia and New Zealand should work together to preserve both events.
“There is a very positive vibe in the service park and within the FIA and we are still hoping we have chance for 2018,” Paddon told Speedcafe.com.
“I think it is in the best interest of both New Zealand and Australia and the sport if we can come to some agreement where both events go into a rotation process.
“One-year on, one-year off between Australia and New Zealand simply doesn’t work. If we did two or three-year stints between the two then that would keep each rally fresh.
“These are the best two rallies in the world so it is a case of trying to work together to keep their longevity of the sport going in this part of the world.”
Rally Australia concludes today with Volkswagen poised to complete a victorious farewell from the sport with Andreas Mikkelsen and co-driver Anders Jaeger leading four-time world champion team-mates Sebastien Ogier and Julien Ingrassia by 2s.
Paddon and co-driver John Kennard are on course for a podium in third in their i20.
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