Under the direction of Scott Spedding, the compact event offers 80 kilometres of competitive stages within 20 kilometres of the tourist town.
The tight and twisting route through the Strathbogie Ranges uses roads not used competitively for many years and which will appeal to the long list of entrants who have embraced the event, a round of the Victorian Club Rally Series.
Not only will the forest roads suit competitors, but a four and a half kilometre shire road reminiscent of New Zealand’s fast-flowing rally roads, will kick-start the all-daylight rally, providing a real treat for both competitors and spectators alike.
Recent rain in the area will have dampened the dust and removed all bushfire danger, so conditions should be ideal for the 10-stage event. The influx of rally crews and spectators to the town will help to boost the flagging local economy which has been severely affected by the ongoing drought.
The entry list – 60 crews plus a number of reserves – reads like a ‘who’s who’ of VCRS competitors, and a host of 2WD and 4WD vehicles will ensure some frenetic action.
Leading the field away will be Wayne and Kim Stewart in a Subaru WRX, seeded just ahead of another potential front runner, Andrew Taylor and co-driver Robin Smalley, in a Mazda RX7. The Snooks brothers, Darryn and Steuart, have entered a pair of Datsun Stanzas which competed in the recent Dunlop Otago Rally in New Zealand, and could be the pace-setters amongst the 2WD ranks.
Richard Gill has drawn position number three in the star-studded field, while the all-female crew of Kylie Evans and Jenny Cole (Subaru WRX) will be out to show their male counterparts a clean pair of wheels.
Based at the Bonnie Doon hotel, on the Midland Highway between Mansfield and Yea, the Strathbogie Sprint will kick off at 9.30am next Saturday, May 26. A mid-event service in the Bonnie Doon township will separate the morning and afternoon stages, while the finish of the event is scheduled for around 6pm when the post-event celebrations will commence at the Bonnie Doon Hotel.
Spectator instructions for the North Eastern Car Club-promoted event will be available at the start. Spectators are urged to support the local food and fuel outlets during the day’s activities as the area has been devoid of rally activity for many years.
Download the entry list here: STRATHBOGIE SPRINT ENTRY LIST
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