Australia to host first Grand Prix of 2007

SYDNEY, July 28 (Reuters) Australia will host the opening race of the 2007 Formula One season, local organisers announced today.

The race will be held at Melbourne's Albert Park circuit on March 18, pending final confirmation from the sport's world governing body, Australian Grand Prix Corporation Chairman Ron Walker said.

''To be reinstated as the championship's opening race is great news for the people of Australia who continue to embrace this event with the sports-mad passion for which the country is renowned,'' Walker said in a statement.

Melbourne has been the traditional site for the opening event of the season for the past decade since the race was moved from Adelaide, which staged the last race of the season from 1985 to 1995.

However, the race was shifted to third in the calendar this year to avoid clashing with the Commonwealth Games, also held in Melbourne. The opening two races were staged in Bahrain and Malaysia.

While the 2007 Australian Grand Prix will clash with the world swimming championships, scheduled to be held in Melbourne from March 18 to April 1, Victoria state government officials said they did not expect any logistical problems.

''Where else in the world could host two international events back-to-back with the knowledge that they will be very well run and very well attended,'' Tourism and Major Events Minister John Pandazopoulos said.

REUTERS PM KN0923