“While we acknowledge and appreciate that Rally of Canberra rally supporters and volunteers have delivered in excess of expectations time and again over many years, our difficult decision had to be made in the best interests of the event's continuity and guaranteed fiscal support.”
The ACT Government had formerly played a key role in organising the Asia-Pacific Championship event, however the government withdrew from the role as promoter in 2007 when it terminated its contract with CAMS two years early.
The 2008 event was conducted by a private promotional organisation and without a major sponsor.
Rally organisers had sought support for the event for 2009 from the ACT Government but learned this week that their request had been declined.
Mr Trinder said that rallying was poised to undergo a significant resurgence in Australia next year, with a round of the World Rally Championship returning to Australia in 2009 - and for the first time on the east coast of Australia - with the 2009 Repco Rally Australia.
"Our belief is that the excitement generated by the WRC coming to the east coast will have a knock-on effect which will provide a boost for the Australian Rally Championship and its premier rounds, such as the Rally of Canberra," Trinder summed-up.
![Cody Crocker / Ben Atkinson - Motor Image Subaru Impreza. Rally of Canberra. APRC [Pic credit: Linear Photographs]](http://pix.crash.net/thumbs/438575.jpg)
