TARMAC RALLY SET TO HEAT UP IN REGIONAL VICTORIA

28 – 29 May will finally see Tarmac Rally teams from around Australia take on the infamous Buchan – Orbost Road as part of the Snowy River Sprint 2022 event.

The Snowy River Sprint is the second round on the Australian Tarmac Rally Championship calendar. Covering over 250 competitive kilometres, the event consists of 18 stages utilising the 40-kilometre stretch of road over two days, including a mammoth 37.5-kilometre stage on Sunday afternoon.

The competition category is for fully licensed rally drivers, competing in special stages against the clock in vehicles which meet full tarmac rally specifications – these cars will run with number decals from 200 to 998.

Reigning champions Allan and Kerry Hines will be looking to defend the title in their 2008 Mitsubishi EVO X, but will be pushed all the way by Jason and Fiona Wright in their 2008 Nissan R35 GTR. The Wrights showed their hand at the recent Mt Baw Baw Sprint where they finished second overall and won the Super Rally category.

Last start winning, and possibly the best tarmac rally navigator in the country Bernie Webb has stepped out of the 2018 Porsche GT2RS of Mark Cates and teamed up with the hard charging Ryan Verner in his 2009 Mitsubishi EVO X for a formidable pairing.

The ever popular Classic and Classic Modified category has seen some familiar names grace the entry list. Tarmac stalwarts Peter Gluskie and Sam Winter topped the Classic category at Mt Baw Baw in their well- prepared 1989 BMW 325e and will be hard to beat, while crowd favourite pairing of Mick Downey and Jarrod Akker are coming off a Covid induced hiatus from the sport to roar their 1979 Group C Commodore back to sharp end of the field.

The speed limited category offers our competitors the opportunity to compete while only making minimum modifications to their vehicle and adhering to a limited maximum speed. These will be numbered from 100 – 199.

Paul Nudd along with navigator Pete Hellwig had a forgettable run at Mt Baw Baw in their MX5 so have returned with the fire breathing Mazda RX8SP in search of redemption.

The ever-growing and exceedingly popular Tour category allows newcomers a ‘taste’ of tarmac rallying by driving their road car behind an experienced leader who demonstrates the right techniques. The Tour is a great way to sample all that tarmac rally has to offer, allowing the participants to gauge their level of commitment and enthusiasm before potentially stepping into the Competition category – running with numbers 10 – 99.

Spectators will be able to see all the cars at the Central Hotel on the Lakes Entrance Esplanade, Friday 27th from 2:00pm, as well as Sunday 29th May from 4:00pm for official trophy presentations.

For the first time, the event will have a ceremonial start from Lakes Entrance Esplanade (near the rotunda) on Saturday morning from 7am to 7:45am. This is a great opportunity for spectators to come along, see the cars up close and speak to the crews.

Entries close next Friday 13th May & are now limited.

For more details and to enter, head to: www.australiantarmacrally.com