The principal component of the 7 days of competition of the Classic Outback Trial is the special stage rally.  With five stages to be conducted each day it will soon sort the “men from the boys”… or maybe the women from the girls.. With special stage rallying becoming increasingly speed and driver skill oriented, together with the financial impost which goes with it, some organisers have turned to providing a more relaxed and less car destroying type of rally.  A rally that provides ample scope for skills to be demonstrated by the driver and co-driver and one that demands that the crew work harmoniously together to get to the finish control at a precise time, within a number of restricted conditions and over varying road conditions. These events are regularity rallies. In some respects they represent a back-to-the-future experience for those who enter.  The events are not navigational by nature.  All route instructions are by way of tuliped route charts.  Crews are given certain parameters within which they must drive, including a maximum speed and minimum time between pre-determined points on the route instructions.  It is then up to the co-driver to control the driver so that they arrive at the finish control on time.  Not late and not early! The Classic Outback Trial Organisers have experimented with Regularity Events for several years – ranging from all bitumen to all gravel and in-between events.  They reckon they have a good handle of what will deliver an enjoyable and challenging Regularity Rally component. Classic Outback Trial recently issued a release to current and prospective competitors in the Regularity component.  Lets see what they had to say. CLASSIC OUTBACK TRIAL 2021 - REGULARITY COMPETITOR - BRIEF EVENT OUTLINE AND GENERAL INFORMATION The Classic Outback Trial Regularity Rally will be held in Central Western Region of New South Wales in March 2021. During its 7 days of competition, it will overnight at the regional cities of Parkes, Orange and Bathurst 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);
There is no requirement for special safety equipment, including rollover protection or harness seat belts. Normal seat belts are compulsory unless exemption for older cars is applied for and granted by the organisers. 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!
Competitors will experience a relaxed atmosphere, serious but very fair competition, great camaraderie and very friendly marshals. All competition for the Classic Outback Trial Regularity is held during daylight hours, therefore no need for driving lights and ample time is provided for plenty of sleep each night. The route for the regularity has been chosen specifically for regularity competitors however the main overnight and lunch stops will be the same for both the rally and the regularity events, giving an opportunity for crews in each event to mingle. 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 Snooks - Clerk of the Course
  • 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 Hollowood – Road Director (Regularity)
  • 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
In addition to these expert Senior Officials, the Classic Outback Trial requires 70 experienced motorsport officials to be able to run it to the high standard which is aimed for. These include such diverse activities as equipment supply and handling, data processing, course and control set up, control officials, media officials, scrutineers, vehicle recovery and medical teams Comprehensive medical and incident response teams will be available throughout the event. How the Event will unfold Friday/Saturday 5-6 March 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
Day 2 - Monday 8 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
Day 3 - Tuesday 9 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
Day 4 - Wednesday 10 March Summary
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
Day 5 - Thursday 11 March Summary
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
Day 6 - Friday 12 March Summary
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
Day 7 - Saturday 13 March Summary
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
At the event end, the traditional celebration dinner and prize giving ceremonies will be held at the functions rooms above the garages along Pit Straight at the famous Mt Panorama Race Circuit, commencing at 1830 hrs Entering the Classic Outback Trial Regularity Rally Entries A Nomination Fee of $500 will guarantee a place in the event and the Nomination Form is available on the event website under ‘Regularity’>’Regularity Docs and Forms’. The entry fee is $5000 (less the $500 Nomination Fee) and is payable by the close of entries. Periodic payment can be arranged through Phil Bernadou (see contact details below). The entry fee covers:
  • 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;
Supplementary Regulations and Entry Form The Supplementary Regulations and Official Entry Form is available on the event website under ‘Regularity’>’Regularity Docs and Forms’ Further information For further information or any enquiries about the Classic Outback Trial, please visit the website at https://classicoutbacktrial.com.au/

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