A mammoth 50 entries have been confirmed to take part in the 2024 Bosch Motorsport Australia Rally Championship (ARC) season finale at the Buckby Motors Rally Tasmania, in what is the biggest ARC field in recent history.
The top four in the championship are separated by 108 points, with 110 up for grabs in the endurance event – factoring in 10 bonus points for the EROAD Power Stage on top of the 100 for the event winner.
View the Buckby Motors Rally Tasmania Entry List.
Reigning champions Harry Bates and Coral Taylor lead the title race as they are in the box seat to defend their 2023 crown with 398 points. They will have 2014 ARC Champion Scott Pedder, 2022 Champion Lewis Bates, and Tasmanian local Eddie Maguire itching to have a shot for the Possum Bourne Memorial Trophy.
Maguire and co-driver Zak Brakey have been a measure of consistency with four consecutive podiums since the Forest Rally in Western Australia, and are next in line for the title chase in second overall. On home soil, the Tasmanians are only 75 points adrift of Bates and Taylor’s lead.
Many drivers are also set for a return to ARC competition after some time, with Richie Dalton debuting the 2022 championship winning Toyota GR Yaris AP4 alongside Mac Kierans.
After another cancer battle put a pause on Troy Dowel’s ARC career at the start of this year, the Victorian has bravely fought off the illness to return to competition. He’s reunited with Bernie Webb calling the notes aboard the Activ Rallysport prepared Ford Fiesta Rally2.
The MainFix Production Cup is also set for a thriller ending, despite cup leader Molly Taylor not entered for the season finale in Tasmania. Defending cup champions Bodie Reading and Mark Young are only 44 points adrift of Taylor and co-driver Andy Sarandis, and are eager to go back-to-back on home turf in Tasmania.
Adding some extra spice into the mix is the return of Clayton Hoy and Erin Kelly aboard their Mitsubishi Evo 6, who will start as the top seed out of the Production Cup runners, and the appearance of three-time ARC Champion Cody Crocker and Greg Foletta in a former FIA Asia-Pacific Rally Championship Subaru WRX.
The Trenching Systems Australia 2WD Classic Cup also features a stunning lineup of entries, with nine cars set to make the start.
Usually aboard a Ford Fiesta Rally2, Tom Clarke and Ryan Preston are again reunited with their rapid Datsun Stanza as the top Classic Cup seed ahead of Jack Monkhouse and Neill Woolley’s Datsun 180B.
The title race for the classics is set to go down between Peter Dimmock and Dave Thompson, who are separated by a mere 27 points.
Victorians Mitch Garrad and Taylah Murphy also lead the way in the ARC Junior Cup, with Tasmanian siblings Jaidyn and Lucy Gluskie eager to snatch title honours in their home rally.
Typically appearing in cross-country style rallies, the Dakar Rally inspired Red-Lined Revo T1 Plus car of New South Welshman Adam Kaplan also makes a wildcard appearance as an invitation vehicle. Highly credentialed co-driver Dale Moscatt will join Kaplan to call the notes.
View the Buckby Motors Rally Tasmania Entry List.
Spectators will the chance across the weekend to see Australia’s best crews and Championship-leaders with the Alpha Electrics & Water Oldina Rally Village, Burnie Rally Show, PWS Super Special Stage, and Pedders Rally Central. The Spectator Guide and tickets are now available.
Buckby Motors Rally Tasmania will wrap up the 2024 ARC season on the weekend of 22–24 November in the forests of Burnie.
Photos: Oz Sport Photos and Gears and Wheels Photography