As well as a Special Stage Rally the 2021 COT also includes a separate Regularity Rally, where the cars and crews can set out on a long, adventurous and mentally demanding adventure across the Greater Western Region of New South Wales. For 2021 the event will be based around the major towns of Parkes, Orange and Bathurst in Central Western NSW.
Typically, on most of the regularity sections competitors will experience a taste of each type of regularity competition, terrain and road type, not to mention some wonderful scenery throughout the event.
Lunch breaks with ample car and crew replenishment periods are provided, with an early return to comfortable accommodation each afternoon.
The Classic Outback Trial is approved by the NSW Police and the relevant Shire Councils and Forestry Departments and is conducted under the rules and regulations of Motorsport Australia (formerly CAMS)
The Classic Outback Trial Regularity caters for those who want an old-fashioned rally experience.
A Regularity Rally, also known as a ‘Time-Speed-Distance rally’ (or TSD rally), has the object of driving a specified course at a specified average speed. The aim is not to be the fastest but rather to stay on the prescribed time across all GPS waypoints. Each crew is given a route schedule in the road book and this schedule contains information that the navigator uses to try to meet the designated speeds
The vehicles start each regularity section at least at one minute intervals and cover the route outlined in the road book. Crews who complete a timed section in a shorter or longer time than the Ideal Time (ie: covering the distance at the average speed/s specified by the organisers) will receive penalty points at the rate of one point per second variation. The winner is the crew who received the least penalty points overall, and misses the least number of regularity sections.
The maximum speed at any time must not exceed 100km/h and penalties are applied for exceeding this speed; no average speed set by the organisers will exceed 80km/h.
Crew member requirements
Who is eligible?
The minimum age for a crew member is 14 years and all crew members must hold a current Motorsport Australia Level 2NS Licence, or superior. Crew members under 18 years of age must hold an equivalent Motorsport Australia Junior Licence. To be eligible to drive a vehicle in the event crew members must be holders of a civil driving licence.
What are the apparel requirements?
Whilst competing over the regularity sections both crew members may wear as a minimum clothing of short sleeve shirts and shorts. Footwear must cover the feet (ie: no sandals, thongs, etc). Both clothing and footwear must not be of flammable synthetic material such as nylon.
Vehicles
The regularity activity has been designed to be enjoyed in a responsibly prepared club competition car, or classic rally car, or a modern car including a SUV.
Some basic equipment that is required includes:
- a laminated windscreen, safety triangles, a first aid kit and a 0,9kg fire extinguisher;
- RallySafe” unit, which will provide the means for timing.
- Navigational instruments, including an accurate odometer and time-keeping devices (recommended only)
- Some under-body protection is desirable (recommended only);
Takeaways for the Classic Outback Trial Regularity Event
Some details of the event, specific to Regularity competitors, are:
| Name of Event: | 2021 Classic Outback Trial Regularity Rally |
| Inclusive dates: | 5 March 2021 to 13 March 2021 |
| Preliminary activities: | In Parkes, NSW on Friday 5 March 2021 and Saturday 6 March 2021, including Documentation, Scrutiny, Official Briefing, Shakedown and Welcome Function |
| Event starts: | In Parkes, NSW on Sunday 7 March 2021 |
| Event finishes: | in Bathurst NSW on Saturday 13 March 2021 |
| Overnight locations: | Saturday, Sunday and Monday overnight stops will be in Parkes |
| Tuesday and Wednesday will be in Orange | |
| Thursday, Friday and Saturday will be in Bathurst | |
| Event times: | All on-road activities will be in daylight |
| Road conditions: | Most regularity sections will be on gravel roads |
| Regularity distance: | 740 km of regularity sections |
| Total event distance: | 1660 km total event distance |
| Servicing: | No restriction on overnight servicing time |
| Daily finishes: | Early afternoon finish most days |
| Other information: | Friendly and relaxed atmosphere at all times! |
The total distance will be some 1650 kilometres with 880 kilometres (54%) forming the competition. The daily distances will vary from 150 to 300 kilometres per day, with all days having a ‘respectful’ time of starting and the days being completed by mid- afternoon.
The Classic Outback Trial Regularity Organisers
The Classic Outback Trial is organised by an experienced and dedicated team, all of whom have proven experience in managing and producing high quality motor sport events which are acclaimed both within Australia and throughout the world.
Phil Bernadou - Event Director and Deputy Clerk of the Course (Classic)
- Phil has been Event Director and Deputy Clerk of the Course for the Classic Outback Trial in 2009, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2016 and 2018.
- Tom has vast experience in rally organisation. He originated the Australian Safari in 1985. Tom was inducted into the Targa Tasmania Hall of Fame, Australian Rally Hall of Fame, is a Life Member of CAMS, and was the inaugural CAMS National Official of the Year in 1996. He has been Clerk of the Course for the Classic Outback Trial in 2009, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2016 and 2018
- Steve is a former rally competitor, club administrator and event organizer and has been a Road Official on the Red Centre to Gold Coast 2008 & Classic Outback Trials in 2009, 2010, 2012, Assistant Clerk of the Course for the Classic Outback Trial 2014, 2016 and is Road Director/Deputy Clerk of the Course, Alpine Rally of East Gippsland 2019, 2021
Documentation and Scrutiny - takes place on these two days.
Saturday 6 March
Rally and Regularity crews will attend their separate event briefing early afternoon and then participate in a ceremonial start for the event outside the Parkes Services Club in Short Street, Parkes. This will enable media and publicity personnel to record images and video of each crew as they pass under the starting arch.
Competitors will then travel over two ‘shakedown’ stages (of 20 and 11 km respectively) before the traditional Welcome Function will at the Parkes Service Club commences at 1800 hrs. Things begin in earnest on Sunday!
Day 1 - Sunday 7 March Summary
| Start | 0900 hrs | |
| Number of Regularity Stages | 4 | |
| Total length of Regularity Stages | 175 km | 65, 37, 30, 41 km long |
| Total distance | 305 km | |
| First car due at finish of day | 1430 hrs |
| Start | 0900 hrs | |
| Number of Regularity Stages | 4 | |
| Total length of Regularity Stages | 175 km | 65, 37, 30, 41 km long |
| Total distance | 305 km | |
| First car due at finish of day | 1430 hrs |
| Start | 0900 hrs | |
| Number of Regularity Stages | 4 | |
| Total length of Regularity Stages | 175 km | 65, 37, 30, 41 km long |
| Total distance | 305 km | |
| First car due at finish of day | 1430 hrs |
| Start | 1030 hrs | |
| Number of Regularity Stages | 4 | |
| Total length of Regularity Stages | 75 km | 34, 13, 8, 20 km long |
| Total distance | 153 km | |
| First car due at finish of day | 1500 hrs |
| Start | 1030 hrs | |
| Number of Regularity Stages | 4 | |
| Total length of Regularity Stages | 75 km | 34, 13, 8, 20 km long |
| Total distance | 153 km | |
| First car due at finish of day | 1500 hrs |
| Start | 1030 hrs | |
| Number of Regularity Stages | 4 | |
| Total length of Regularity Stages | 75 km | 34, 13, 8, 20 km long |
| Total distance | 153 km | |
| First car due at finish of day | 1500 hrs |
| Start | 1030 hrs | |
| Number of Regularity Stages | 4 | |
| Total length of Regularity Stages | 75 km | 34, 13, 8, 20 km long |
| Total distance | 153 km | |
| First car due at finish of day | 1500 hrs |
- Motorsport Australia Permit Fee which covers Motorsport Australia Public and Products Liability Insurance and Motorsport Australia Personal Accident Insurance;
- set of competition road books;
- hire of RallySafe unit (not including wiring loom, antennas and mounting kit);
- entry to pre-event welcome reception for all crew, service crew members and officials;
- two tickets to the presentation;
- registration of one service crew and one set of service instructions;
- apparel (eg: cap and polo shirt for each competing crew member);
- newsletters - issued throughout the year;
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