REPORTS of environmental protesters throwing rocks at cars to disrupt the World Rally Championships in NSW last week, which led to the cancellation to two stages of the race, now appear to be false.

Motorsport stars Sebastian Loeb and Mikko Hirvonen had to be escorted around sections of the track near Murwillumbah in northern NSW after claims that leading drivers were pelted with rocks by demonstrators last Friday.

Police issued a statement condemning protesters for the supposed attacks and mounted a search operation to find the culprits. The issue was picked up by major media organisations around the world.



The alleged incident took place in a tense atmosphere coloured by bizarre rumours that dead, frozen koalas would be thrown onto the race track by people who objected to the race being held in a national park.