EVENT RELEASE

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.