Australian rally championship officials have been forced to relocate a pre-season test in Kowen Forest due to the bushfires raging on Canberra's southern edge.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The 'pre-season shakedown' will now take place at the Bagshot Motorspot Complex in Bendigo on Wednesday, with crews looking to dust off some cobwebs before the six-round series begins next month.
The event doubled as a launch for the National Capital Rally, which will kick off the season in the forests surrounding Canberra on March 21.
Tournament officials also decided to postpone the launch, originally scheduled to take place in Greenway on Tuesday, after a state of emergency was declared in the ACT last week.
It's believed the racing tracks in Tidbinbilla and Kowen forests have not been affected by the recent bushfires, but their quality could have deteriorated due to drought.
MORE CANBERRA SPORT
Drivers are hoping for much-needed rainfall to improve track conditions and their wishes could come true with showers expected later this week.
Reigning ARC winner Harry Bates has praised the tournament official's decision to move relocate the pre-season event from Canberra and says he's looking forward to starting preparation for his title defence.
"It was idyllic for me being in Canberra because it would have been cool to do our season launch and pre-season testing in my hometown," Bates said.
"At the same time and under the circumstances, the right measures were taken and the right decisions were made.
"The test in Bendigo is really just a first-up drive for the season for all competitors.
"For [my team], it comes down to refining everything we've already got in terms of our pace notes and car set up - I've done the National Championship Rally five times now, I know the area well and I really love it.
"It's one I think we can start well on for the year."
The pre-season event will give rally crews a chance to test the new control tyre, following the introduction of American brand Hoosier to the competition.
Bates will drive his championship-winning Toyota Yaris AP4 again this season, but is yet to test the new tyres on his Canberra-built car.
"The good thing is that all competitors have to drive on it, so we're all dealing with the exact same tyre," Bates said.
"The main thing we're going to focus on between now and the first round is getting as much data on the new tyre as we can, and working out how to make it work on different conditions."
AUSTRALIAN RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP
Round one: National Capital Rally at Tidbinbilla Forest and Kowen Rally Village on March 21-22
Lucie Bertoldo
Lucie Bertoldo is a sports reporter for the Canberra Times.
Lucie Bertoldo is a sports reporter for the Canberra Times.
