Sign up for the newsletter
Sign up for the Stellantis Communications Newsletter and stay updated on all the news.
12 Nov 2019
RALLY AUSTRALIA CANCELLED
Rally Australia’s organisers have been forced to cancel this year’s event due to the devastating bushfires affecting much of the New South Wales region, close to where many of the stages were due to be held. Citroën Total WRT is fully supportive of this sensible decision.
After briefly considering holding the event with a revised schedule over a significantly reduced route, the Rally Australia organisers were left with no choice but to cancel the event on Tuesday, as conditions failed to improve. Serious bushfires have hit the State of New South Wales in recent days, devastating the local area.
The Citroën Total World Rally Team would like to pay tribute to the rally organisers and WRC promoter’s selfless actions in putting safety first, as well as the transparency and professionalism they have shown in handling what is a difficult situation. In conjunction with local authorities, they have certainly made the right decision, given the serious nature of events. Citroën’s thoughts are with all those affected by the terrible situation. Our support and respect also go to the firefighters who have been working tirelessly over the last few days to protect people and properties.
REACTIONS FROM…
Pierre Budar, Citroën Racing Team Principal: “It’s the right decision, given the circumstances. Clearly, we have all been distressed by what is happening here and all our thoughts go to the local area and everyone who has lost loved ones, livelihoods and homes due to the fires. From a sporting point of view, we would obviously have preferred not to end our season with the result in Spain and instead finish the season on the same high note in which we began in Monte-Carlo, but there are more important things to consider at the moment. I would like to thank my team for all the efforts they have put in this season.”
Sébastien Ogier, Citroën Total WRT driver: “Obviously, I’m sad the rally has been cancelled but given the circumstances, there really was no other choice. I had hoped to finish the season with a good result, but there are other priorities right now in the state. My thoughts are with all those affected by this terrible situation.”
Esapekka Lappi, Citroën Total WRT driver: “My thoughts are with the people who have lost everything and with the firefighters and emergency personnel who are battling to prevent the fires from causing further damage. I think we had a great chance this weekend at this event, which I have always enjoyed, but obviously cancelling the rally is the right decision.”
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
JOHN HANDCOCK, HEAD OF COMMUNICATIONS
07810 180249
SIMON BROOME, PR MANAGER
07827 840 050
EMMA GAFFNEY, MEDIA RELATIONS EXECUTIVE
07747 898130
CRAIG MORROW, PRESS FLEET MANAGER
07747 764745
JEREMY TOWNSEND, COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR
07827 896480
FOLLOW CITROËN ON TWITTER AT: www.twitter.com/citroenuk
FIND CITROËN ON FACEBOOK AT: www.facebook.com/citroenuk
FOLLOW CITROËN ON INSTAGRAM AT: www.instagram.com/citroenuk
The Citroën Brand
At the heart of the automotive market, Citroën has asserted itself since 1919 as a popular brand in the true sense of the word, making people and their lifestyles its first source of inspiration. A spirit underlined by its ‘Inspired by You’ signature and embodied by cars combining unique design and benchmark comfort. Within the sector of mainstream brands, Citroën also stands out with a unique customer experience (Citroën Advisor, ‘La Maison Citroën’, etc.). In 2018, the Brand sold 1.05 million vehicles in over 80 countries.
Citroënmedia site: https://uk-media.citroen.com/ - @CitroenUK
Other content