New special stage for Telstra Rally Australia.

Telstra Rally Australia organisers have unveiled a brand new venue for the traditional superspecial on this year's tenth round of the World Rally Championship.

For the past eleven years, Langley Park has set the standard for all WRC superspecials to follow but, this year, Gloucester Park will 'harness' horsepower of a different kind. A purpose-built horse trotting track in the centre of Perth, the venue will now play host to turbo-charged 300bhp WRC cars for four days in September.

"There were many aspects we considered before moving from our traditional Langley Park site," said clerk of the course Adrian Stafford, "When the FIA allotted a date in September for Telstra Rally Australia, it raised some concerns about building a sustainable track there, as it is a silt bed on reclaimed river land.

"We wanted to come up with an alternative to Langley Park to avoid the risk of cancelling the superspecial should there be heavy rain while we were building it, which can sometimes happen in Perth in August and September."

The rally has entered into an agreement with the Western Australian Trotting Association [WATA] to use Gloucester Park, subject to development approval from the East Perth Redevelopment Authority (EPRA) and the city of Perth.

"We spent a considerable amount of time with WATA, and in consulting engineers and other experts, to ensure that running Telstra Rally Australia at Gloucester Park would not compromise the quality of the trotting track in any way," Stafford continued, "We have kept the track design to a similar figure-of-eight track configuration as used at Langley Park, so the Qantas 'Fly Over' with the jump and tunnel will remain."

This year, rally headquarters will also be located at Gloucester Park as, for the first time, will the media centre.

Changes to the format of Rally Australia 2003 are not limited to a new superspecial stage, however, as, for the first time, the event will accommodate a single service park based in Jarrahdale, to fall in line with the changes taking place in the WRC. Another new initiative is the introduction of 'Rally Village', which will make country spectating easier and more enjoyable for rally fans.

Gloucester Park offers its own advantages for spectators as well as competitors, the organisers and media. Corporate hospitality guests will enjoy climate-controlled glass-fronted suites with excellent track viewing, while on-track entertainment is expected to include a gala ceremonial start, the V8 Ute, Corporate Cup and Celebrity Challenges. Off-track entertainment will include a Motor Expo, Shannons Insurance car display, 96fm's Kids Corner, various bands and roving entertainers, and a spectacular fireworks finale.

"We have developed the itinerary for this year's event to ensure that the noise made by the cars and the planned light entertainment does not exceed the 11pm limit for noise restrictions," said Elizabeth Bertelli, the executive director of EventsCorp.

Because of the Park's design as an amphitheatre, a $15 general admission ticket will provide all-round track viewing, which was limited at Langley Park. The number of general admissions will also increase at Gloucester Park, from 1500 per night at Langley Park to 10,000 per night at the new venue.