Traditions are out the window with this year’s 2015 BLCC Begonia Rally. Normally the event is the opening round of the Victorian Rally Championship and run in conjunction with the Begonia Festival in March.
Arron Windus won the Akademos Rally in his Subaru WRX. John Doutch photo.It will also see the event run in the Mount Cole – Avoca area, instead of the normal area of the Wombat State Forest. Whilst families will be enjoying rides at the Ballarat Show, rally crews from Victorian and as far away as Queensland will pacenote the event on Saturday, November 14 and have their own thrill-seeking ride on Sunday during the event.
The event will be contested over eight stages split into two heats, based out of the Avoca Turf Club, taking in the best roads the area has to offer. The course that has been set will challenge the crews and put them and their machines to the test.
The Begonia has seen many successful careers developed over the years, with David (Dinta) and Kate Officer going on to win the Australian Rally Championship back in the 80s, current WRC competitor Scott Pedder, and this year is no different with current series leaders, Darren Windus and Jamie Sargent, in their Subaru WRX.
Justin Dowel and Simon Ellis in a VW Polo S2000 are currently fighting out the championship, and throw in the mix Arron Windus and Joe Brick, who came away with a win in the last round. Nineteen-year old Arron has only been rallying this year and has tasted success early in his career by being the youngest competitor to win a round of the Victorian Rally Championship.
There are whispers that there maybe a few ARC crews coming to the event to promote the Begonia as the final round of the Australian Rally Championship in 2016.
This year’s championship has seen a growth in competitors, and a lot of support from businesses wanting to get on board, thanks to the promotion of the series via You-Tube. Many competitors have stepped up from the club level events into the series, with the Auto One Hyundai series being quiet popular as affordable motorsport and a great platform to start a rally career.
For further information on the Ballarat Light Car Club and the Begonia Rally, either check out www.blcc.net.au or on Facebook.
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