Pro-rally troops join battle

MURWILLUMBAH Business Chamber president Toni Zuschki and husband Michael have been waving the flag in favour of the car rally.

THE race is on to see who can rally the most followers - supporters of the upcoming World Rally Championship or its opponents.

Earlier this week opponents launched an e-petition for people to sign, expressing their opposition to the event and the NSW Government's controversial special legislation approving it.

On their own Facebook page, rally supporters have been gathering numbers and swapping opinions.

It was launched by motorsport fan Steve Suffolk, who has regularly helped set up facilities for the annual Speed on Tweed historic car festival, but was away from his phone yesterday.

The Facebook site, Repco Rally Australia Community Alliance has gathered supporters including Mike Zuschke, whose wife heads up the pro-rally Murwillumbah and District Business Chamber.

“We thought two can play this game, and really that's all it is,” said Mr Zuschke yesterday. “It's for no real purpose. It's just to say there are a lot of people supporting it as well.”

Yesterday the site had 74 followers, many of whom had posted comments. Mr Zuschke said he was one of the earliest to “add his two cents worth” with comments such as: “The so-called 'majority' against rally is in fact a small group of myopic residents that have nothing better to do than whinge and complain”.

Another, Renee Schuettpelz says: “I choose a race car any day over a smelly hippy”.