Motor sport fans are in for a big treat with the annual Bathurst RSL Club AMSAG rally upgraded to national status, with round one of the AASA Australian Rally Championship being conducted in the Bathurst region on May 24 and 25.
The Bathurst RSL Club Rally of Bathurst will still be a round of the long-running Aussie Duct Southern Cross Rally Series.
This event, with sponsorship from the Bathurst RSL Club, has become a tradition among AMSAG (Australian Motor Sport Action Group) competitors for many years, and when the AASA (Australian Auto Sport Alliance) decided last year they wished to run a national rally series, as well as their successful circuit racing activities, it was only natural the Bathurst RSL Rally would be part of it.
Event directory, Dave Aitchison, said he hoped that competitors who have not tried an AMSAG event before will be interested in running in a rally that is run by competitors, for competitors.
"We have a unique style of rally that offers a friendly atmosphere and tough competition, and includes a three-course dinner at the Bathurst RSL Club on the Saturday night for everyone in the event, as well as a presentation lunch on Sunday,” Aitchison said.
"The AASA Championship contains three separate Championships covering 4WD, 2WD and Classics, and a contingent of crews from several states are expected to converge on Bathurst for the start of an all-new national series," he added.
One of the most significant features of the AASA Australian Rally Championship are the three equal status championships: they are
the AASA Australian Classic Rally Championship, the AASA Australian 2WD Rally Championship, and the AASA Australian 4WD Rally Championship
The two-day event is to be held in the Sunny Corner State Forest and will feature a lengthy competitive distance of 240km, with only 140km of liaison stages, and featuring a unique central service with a spectator point at the rear of the service area.
"This is a traditionally tough rally with little relief between competitive stages. We have done our utmost to keep the competitive driving and endurance as the focus of the event, and because of its low costs, it has been a great entry level into rallying and has produced several champions," Aitichison said.
Also present at the launch was Sydney's Brad Goldsbrough, one of the success stories of AMSAG rallying. He started his motor sport in AMSAG events, and progressed through the ranks to win a NSW State Rally Championship. In 2004 he became Australian Privateer Champion, and was runner-up again in 2005.
As usual, spectators are welcome to watch the action, and to help in that area special free Spectator Guides will be available at the Bathurst RSL Club the week of the event.
David Robinson, one of Bathurst's best known rallying identities, has been involved with both CAMS and AMSAG rallying. He was a long-standing director of the Bathurst Light Car Club’s NSW Championship Rally, a competitor in CAMS rallies, but more recently a competitor in AMSAG rallies as well.
"I think the concept of the AASA Australian Championship is great. The ARC has completely lost the plot. If you don’t have one of the top four or five cars, then don’t bother turning up. I really think this will work, and a lot of competitors will take part," Robinson said.
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