Entries for this month’s Middle of Everywhere Gippsland Rally have been extended.
Almost 50 crews have signed up for the RSEA Safety Motorsport Australia Rally Championship and Till Hino Motorsport Australia Victoria Rally Championship event, scheduled to take place in the east Victorian region of Heyfield.
Many of Australia’s top crews are entered in the two-day rally, with Toyota Gazoo Racing Australia stars Harry and Lewis Bates, Richie Dalton, young guns Taylor Gill, Ryan Williams, Aidan Peterson and Troy Dowel and Queenslanders Cahal Carey and Ronald Bustard amongst those to get in early.
Victorian Brendan Reeves also has confirmed his entry for the event, marking his return to the ARC after securing a podium in the Netier National Capital Rally, as has Scott Pedder who will make his first appearance since a DNF in April’s season opener.
West Australian young gun Max McRae will also contest his first ARC round since his whirlwind tour of the northern hemisphere.
Adrian Stratford and Luke Sytema lead the charge for those entered in just the VRC, while Reeves, Jamie Luff and Jason Lennane are cross entered in both national and state level events.
Taking place towards the end of August around the forests of Heyfield, the two-day rally serves as an endurance event, where ARC crews will be completing 170 competitive kilometres.
The rally will begin with a long day as crews tackle eight stages and 121 competitive kilometres before the remaining 49 kilometres will be run on Sunday over six stages, including the EROAD Power Stage.
Outside of official competition, crews will have the opportunity for testing on Thursday 25 August before reconnaissance on Friday 26 August.
Clerk of Course Andrew Roseman was thrilled to have a good representation of ARC crews entered.
“A total of 21 ARC entries so far is an excellent response for the championship’s return to Victoria.” Roseman said.
“We have extended the opportunity for state competitors to enter until Sunday evening, and we are hoping that we will see a strong entry list being published on Monday.”
Entries for the Middle of Everywhere Gippsland Rally close on 14 August at 5pm AEST.
The Middle of Everywhere Gippsland Rally takes place in Heyfield on 26-28 August.
Photo: Bruce Keys.
