Rally sprint takes to city streets

Hundreds of people will descend on Bunbury this weekend as the city hosts the inaugural Targa Bunbury Sprint.

Organisers believe more than 500 people will come to the region along with 80 cars, as part of the weekend-long event.

Drivers will race through Halifax Light Industrial area on Sunday, but the celebrations start the night before at the Shannons Show and Shine on Victoria Street, when families will get the chance to look at the rally cars from 6pm to 9pm.

On Sunday, roads through Halifax will be closed from 6am, with racing to start at 9am and run right through until mid-afternoon.

The Bunbury City Council is supporting the event through its Event Funding Program and the Bunbury Events Coordination Group, in an attempt to attract more tourists to the region during winter.

Bunbury Mayor Gary Brennan said the council chose to support the event because it would make a significant economic and social contribution to the region.

“The council was keen to attract a major event during winter to help activate the city during the cooler months,” he said.

“The council was hoping for a new and different event and Targa West fitted the bill perfectly.”

Targa Bunbury Sprint event director Ross Tapper said the process of making the race an annual event was already underway.