CREWS and supporters visiting Imbil for the International Rally of Queensland (IROQ) later this month will get a “civic reception” they’ll never forget when the Sunshine Coast Mayor headlines a welcome party in front of an eight-piece blues band.Councillor Bob Abbot, Mayor of the Sunshine Coast Regional Council – a major supporter of the 30 July 1 August rally – will feature on vocals and harmonica when the Boreen Point Blues Connexion performs at the “U-ROCK when IROQ” party in the Imbil Showgrounds on Saturday night 31 July.
The party, also featuring three-piece band King Tuck, is being staged for the first time by the Mary Valley Show Society, which wants to show rally visitors some true country hospitality.
The annual rally puts an international spotlight on the usually-peaceful Mary Valley township, about 90 minutes’ drive north of Brisbane.
The showgrounds is the site of the Novus Autoglass Service Park, where the competing cars are replenished and repaired throughout the weekend and where media covering the FIA Asia Pacific Rally Championship are based. Some crews camp at the showgrounds.
The State school across the road accommodates the rally command centre and shops and cafes do good business with visitors throughout rally week.
Show Society President Sue McMah said her organisation hoped the Riversands Wines-sponsored “U-ROCK when IROQ” party would lift the profile of the rally and bring economic benefits to the town.
"We are looking to provide a new concept to rallying. We're trying to lift the Saturday night profile of the ground, to give all the people something to do. We want to look after all the spectators during the night time as well as during the day," she said.
"We decided to invite Bob Abbot as he is the regional mayor and his council is a great supporter of the rally. We wanted to tie the two areas together and he is extremely keen to perform and we are very fortunate to have him."
The “U Rock when IROQ” party starts at 5.30pm on Saturday. The $20 entry charge includes dinner and the entertainment in the Mighty Marquee. A full bar will operate.
The International Rally of Queensland will see almost 80 cars contest round four of the FIA Asia Pacific Rally Championship, round five of the Australian Rally Championship and several supporting categories including classic rally cars.
The rally starts with the Coates Hire Rally Shootout at Caloundra on Friday night and continues with two days of forestry Special Stages around Imbil and Kenilworth in the Sunshine Coast hinterland.
The rally cars will visit Kenilworth on Saturday morning for a remote service break and Cooroy on Saturday afternoon for a public meet-and-greet session.
Pre-event discount tickets can be purchased at www.rallyqueensland.com.au.
General Admission Adult prices are $20 for Friday night and $15 for Saturday or Sunday. Tickets for children aged 14 or over are $5, or free with a coupon printed exclusively in the Sunshine Coast Daily on 21, 23, 25, 28 and 31 July.
SPECTATOR INFORMATION
Friday 30 July
(from 7.30pm Super Special Stages 1, 2)
5.30 pm Caloundra, Coates Hire Rally Shootout super special stage and rally show (tickets required)
Saturday 31 July
(from 8.25am Special Stages 2-10)
8am Kenilworth, competitor service break
5 pm Cooroy, rally crews meet-and-greet and car display
5.30pm Imbil, U ROCK with IROQ dance party
All day Imbil, Spectator Park (tickets required)
All day Imbil, Novus Autoglass Service Park
Sunday 1 August
(from 8.22am, Special Stages 11-18)
All day Imbil, Spectator Park (tickets required)
All day Imbil, Novus Autoglass Service Park
3.30pm Imbil, Novus Autoglass Service Park, official finish and podium presentation
Ticket Prices
(General Admission tickets discounted 20 percent until 26 July)
Friday 30 July
Coates Hire Rally Shootout, Caloundra
General Admission, adult $20, child (under 14) $5*
Corporate Hospitality Party Deck, adult $145 (10 people, pay for nine $1305), includes two-course meal, bar, parking
Saturday 31 July, Sunday 1 August
Imbil Spectator Park
General Admission, per day adult $15, child (under 14) $5*
Corporate Hospitality, per day $99 (10 people, pay for nine $891), includes two-course meal, bar, parking
Event Super Pass (Friday, Saturday, Sunday)
General Admission adult $35, child (under 14) $10*
* Children admitted free with original coupon printed in Sunshine Coast Daily on 17, 21, 23, 24, 28 and 31 July, when accompanied by a paying adult.
On-line tickets and spectator information are available at www.rallyqueensland.com.au.
