Rallycross, the spectacular high-flying motor sport that transfixed TV audiences and made many rally and amateur drivers household heroes in the 1970s, is returning to Australia.
A function to relaunch Rallycross is planned for mid May this year at a newly created and purpose-built 1.8km course at the Broadford Motor Cycle Complex (pictured below), one hour’s drive north of Melbourne.
The late Peter Brock (supercharged Holden Torana) and Rallycross Australia organiser Bob Watson (Renault R8 Gordini) battle it out in a Calder Rallycross final in the early 1970s. (Photo courtesy of Terry Russell)Potential and past Rallycross competitors, media, rally administrators and CAMS representatives will be invited. A number of rally cars and drivers will be present to assess the Rallycross course.
Details of this Launch Function will be announced soon.
Full meetings are planned for July 19 and October 25, 2015 and there are plans to stage a six meeting series in 2016.
Meetings will be staged by Rallycross Australia, a new entity formed by a group led by Australian Rally Champion and top Rallycross competitor, Bob Watson. The Sport’s revival is being actively supported by CAMS.
The inaugural Rallycross Australia meeting will be limited to 60 competitors in cars currently qualifying for Australian Autocross or Rally events.
As previously, cars will compete four at a time over three laps of a course combining sealed and unsealed surfaces, jumps and water hazards. “Rallying is exciting enough, but racing other rally cars is something else” said Bob Watson.
Rallycross history
Rallycross was born in the United Kingdom in early 1967 and is today experiencing a huge resurgence in popularity in both Europe and the USA.
The FIA has established a World Championship for Rallycross and top rally drivers including Petter Solberg and Ken Block are involved, driving factory sponsored cars.
Rallycross became an overnight success in Australia throughout the 1970s following its introduction at Calder Park Raceway in late 1969. Special Rallycross tracks were also built at Catalina Park at Katoomba in NSW and at Tailem Bend in South Australia.
The sport attracted major sponsors including Coca Cola, Motorcraft and Firestone, and was supported by factory backed cars from Holden, Ford, Porsche, Renault and British Leyland. Meetings were covered by live television on the then Channel 0/10 Network.
Amongst the Sport's star drivers were circuit racers Peter Brock and Allan Moffat and rally champions Bob Watson, Barry Ferguson and Bruce Hodgson.
Brock was largely unknown by everyday Australians before he began dominating the early years of Rallycross in a unique Holden Dealer Team supercharged Holden Torana.
He went on to win his first of nine Bathurst races in 1972 on the back of his Rallycross success.
The one and only Australian Rallycross Championship was held at the Tailem Bend circuit in South Australia in June 1979 and was won by ex-F1 driver and later V8 Supercar star Larry Perkins driving a 2.0-litre Volkswagen Beetle.
Broadford
The agreement to ‘re-birth’ Rallycross at the Broadford Motor Cycle Complex follows many months’ work by Rallycross Australia to find a suitable venue and a promoter for the sport.
The Broadford Motor Cycle Sports Complex is run by Motorcycling Victoria with some government funding. The tarmac race track is 10m wide, set in an amphitheatre that gives spectators a total view of the action.
Pit garages, a control tower, timing facilities, toilets and catering make Broadford an ideal venue.
A gravel section of track has been added for Rallycross and includes jumps and a water splash to simulate a rally environment and add spectacle.
Rallycross is expected to attract current rally and autocross competitors. Broadford is easy to reach; meetings will be staged over one day only; the sport offers exciting wheel to wheel competition and tyre and fuel bills and wear and tear on cars will be relatively low.
Vehicle and competitor eligibility
Cars competing in Rallycross at Broadford will be divided into two categories: Type 1 and Type 2 Rallycross cars.
Type 1 cars will be cars currently competing in Autocross or similar. A CAMS log book is not required. Drivers must hold a CAMS Level 2S licence and previous experience in at least one Autocross meeting is required.
Type 2 cars may be any vehicle that complies with a CAMS-approved rally class and a CAMS logbook is required. Drivers must hold a CAMS circuit licence (NC, PC, CC, PCC) or Rally licence (NR, CR), Off Road licence (NO, NS) or:
• an equivalent junior licence,
• a licence of superior status to those mentioned,
• an equivalent licence issued by a FIA affiliated ASN.
More information
For more information about Rallycross in Australia, visit www.rallycrossaustralia.net.au
The site contains the history of Rallycross, a Guide to Competitors, with an opportunity to register interest and enter the inaugural meeting.
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