The area had scattered heavy falls of between 100-400 mm, some of which could be classed as torrential even for the tropics.
Three special stages were lost, not due to road damage, but by loosening of bridge supports which meant that affected roads cannot be used. With much damage to be repaired in the areas currently under logging these will not be repaired in time for the event.
However, the stages lost have been replaced by other stages to retain the original length of 175km, but this means using one stage twice (in reverse the second time) and extending the transport distance to 435km due to retain the popular centralised service area.
The special stage lengths are now 5.6, 9.4, 13.8, 13.9, 17.3, 19.4, 19.9, 20.0, 22.3 and 33.4km. The last stage of 13.8km will be conducted in darkness for most competitors.
The ‘short’ course will cover 325km, of which almost 128km will be competitive, and will include the above stages except for the final two stages of 33.4km and 13.8km.
The event, to be conducted on Sunday, June 12 over the Queen’s Birthday long weekend, will be a round of the NSW Championship, EXEDY Victorian Championship, BATRONIC Victorian Hyundai Excel Rally Series over the long course, and the New South Wales Rallyschool.com Excel Rally Series and Shannons Insurance ACT Regional Rally Series over the short course. Any short course competitor can nominate to also participate in the long course.
Entry fees are $575 (long course) and $355 (short course). Entries open on Monday 23 May and close on Friday 3 June. Supplementary Regulations will be available in early May.
Eden, with good accommodation available, provides an ideal opportunity for a family break over the long weekend. Enquiries on accommodation can be made through the Eden Information Centre at info@tourism.com.au, or by telephone on 02 6496 1953.
Details of the event, together with its extended history, are available on the website at www.begavalleyrally.com.au.
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