December’s Alpine Rally has already got a full field of entries, with the maximum of 145 received last night, including some hot-shots from New Zealand.

Simon Evans will drive the Snooks Motorsport Datsun Stanza in the Alpine Rally. (Photo: Peter Whitten)

While only 120 cars are expected to start the bi-annual event, the entry list looks like a who’s who of classic rallying.

2015 Alpine Rally winner, Jack Monkhouse, heads the list in his rebuilt Datsun 180B, but victory won’t come easy in 2017, with four-time Australian Rally Champion Simon Evans just one of his main rivals.

At least three New Zealanders will make the trek across the Tasman to contest the rally for the first time, headed by the incredibly fast Deane Buist in a Ford Escort RS1800.

Fellow Kiwi Brent Rawstron will also drive an Escort, while the name of a third high-profile New Zealander in an Escort is expected to be announced shortly.

On the Aussie front, Monkhouse and Evans (Datsun Stanza) will be in for an incredible fight over the three days of competition.

Other leading entries include:

  • Jeff David, Porsche 911
  • Ryan Smart, Datsun Stanza
  • Stewart Reid, Ford Escort RS1800
  • Alan Friend, Nissan Silvia
  • Ian Hill, Ford Escort RS1800
  • Nathan Reeves, Nissan Gazelle
  • Ed Mulligan, Vauxhall Manta V8
  • Brett Middleton, Honda Civic
  • Ross Dunkerton, Datsun Stanza
  • Nathan Quinn, Mazda RX2

Open only to two-wheel drive vehicles, the Alpine Rally of East Gippsland is held every two years by the Historic Rally Association.

Further information on the event can be found at http://alpinerally.org.au/

- Peter Whitten

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