For some of our crews competing in the CAMS Australian Rally Championship, Tasmania is where they call home.
But despite being seen as ‘locals’ for Subaru Rally Tasmania, they will in fact be on equal footing to crews from interstate.
Competitors will enjoy more than 240 kilometres of competition over two days in the forests surrounding Launceston when round four of the CAMS Australian Rally Championship lands in the Apple Isle on 27-29 July.
Although most of the stages will be using roads that have not seen competitive rallying since the 1990s.
More information on the stages can be found here.
Tasmania’s rallying fraternity are certainly proud to be once again hosting a National Championship event, and hope to see a good turnout of interstate entries.
Currently second in the outright championship standings, Steve Glenney believes the event is good news for the town of Launceston.
“It brings everyone from the mainland, brings the big teams down there, brings a lot of income and spending locally in the town. A lot of excitement for the sleepy town of Launceston,” Glenney said.
“So to rally at home is quite different and quite comfortable. A Super Special Stage in the town should give the fans something to look forward to.”
Australian rally icon Les Walkden is equally proud for his home state to return to national rallying.
“Launceston is a great place to base the rally, and the rally is based right in the old railyards,” Walkden said.
“I hope we can get as many interstate people as we can. I think the organisers are trying to put something together to get some help on the boat, it should be great.”
Entrants for Subaru Rally Tasmania are also eligible for discounted shipping rates to and from Tasmania, with more information available here.
Walkden’s driver Molly Taylor is equally looking forward to competing, having participated in Tasmanian events previously, and is happy her team can enjoy a smaller travel itinerary compared to other rounds.
“We did the Mountain Stages Rally last year, based in a similar area but I believe they are using a different side of the forest,” Taylor said.
“The roads in Tassie are some of the best in the country so that is exciting.
“Our team is based in Launceston where the rally is based. So normally they have to get a ferry every time to go over to the mainland, so it is going to be nice for them to be able to go home to their beds every night.”
For Tasmania’s crews, they’re equally looking forward to rallying alongside Australia’s best rally drivers in their own backyard.
“A lot of the local competitors are really excited, they can’t wait to compete,” Steve Glenney said.
“The local Subaru RS Challenge run by Buckby’s is really taking off down there, there’s about 15 cars really keen to have a run so I think it should be a good event.”
