This event was run for the first time last year by the Gold Coast Tweed Motorsporting Club as a small ‘club’ rally and attracted a moderate level of interest. Using roads in the township of Urbenville in northern NSW, the venue is not a location often used by Queensland crews in the past and, accordingly, presents a new outlook on competition.
The event is compact with just 78 kilometres over seven special stages, including 2.7km of bitumen surface during the route. The event start is scheduled for 2.40pm, giving adequate time for visitors and spectators to make their way to the rally. The first car is due to finish the event by 8.30pm on Saturday night.
Urbenville is located about two hours from the south side of Brisbane. Travel via Beaudesert, then Rathdowney and Woodenbong, with Urbenville a further 12 kilometres into NSW.
Although the field is predominantly made up of ‘Clubman’ competitors, a couple of serious QRC teams in serious 4WD cars are entered in the rally. Steve Shepheard has entered his GSA/Oztec Evo 6 Lancer with a fresh engine and gearbox, and is hoping to get some kilometres behind the wheel and test new components.
Local Gold-Coasters Stephen Tonna/Lorelle Greenwood will be running their Evo 5 Lancer, while Simon and Margot Knowles also have their Evo 6 out for the weekend.
Two of the new ‘Pocket Rockets’ are out to show their speed this weekend with Craig and Linda Newell (Honda Civic), challenging Gideon Street/Daniel Grisinger in their newly-built Peuget 306S16.
The battle of the Queensland Datsuns continues in earnest with Rod Biggar/Paul Young at car number two in their rapid 180B SSS, hounded by Dave Gaines/Nikki Doyle (240KGT) and Allan Griffin/Scott Evans (Stanza).
The giant-killing Toyota Corolla DX of Tony Scott/Debbie Dillon starts from car 5 this weekend and on the right roads could be a serious threat.
Other exotics running in the event include BMWs in the hands of Brian Brosnan/Clay Weston (318i) and Kelvin and Rodney Taylor (325), while Al and Erin Kelly will be bringing out the beautiful Renault Alpine A110.
The event is supported by ‘1300NewGlass’, Queensland Mobile Safety Certificates and Advance Technology Concepts.
SUBSCRIBE BELOW TO READ THE FULL STORY
