Dunkerton praises HRA event as “best I’ve ever done”

Five-time Australian Rally Champion, Ross Dunkerton, recently competed in (and won) the Historic Rally Association’s State Bank Discovery Trial Rerun. Despite more than 50 years of competing, Dunkerton says it was the best rally he’s ever been in.

Ross Dunkerton explains:

Over my long history in rallying I've learned it shouldn't be all about belting the s#$t out of yourself and your car for a result.

It's more than just the stages, it’s about remembering why we do it and having fun, as well as challenging ourselves. I think that explains the popularity of classic events and the best events, in my opinion, are those that find the magic formula of the whole package.

Three rallies stand out in my mind as the best I've participated in and tick the whole package box.

Firstly, there is the Otago Rally in New Zealand. Exceptional roads, friendly "cousins", great atmosphere and social gatherings both before and after the event. I haven't competed there for a number of years, but I'm sure it still holds the attraction, the only down side of course is the cost and logistics of getting there.

Secondly, and closer to home, is the Border Ranges Rally, with roads as good as NZ and organisers that can't do enough to please.

Thirdly, I have found an event I would class as the best I've ever been in, and after 50 years of competing, that's a big call.

The State Bank Discovery Trial Rerun [SBDTR] was a revelation.

At the prize presentation I mentioned we are all involved in a sport that is suffocating in over regulation and increasing costs, but the SBDTR has given me a glimmer of hope all is not lost.

It had an entry fee of $1400, which included 2700km and 7 days of competition, two t-shirts, several evening meals, lunches, breakfasts and sensational morning teas put on by station owners thrown in free of charge. Compared to $1950 for an ARC for classics, it's already on top.

With end of day finish times that were very respectable, enabling lots of social time to catch up with other competitors, you've got a winner.

There was plenty of reason to want to socialise too, with several Hall of Famers and some of our sport’s other legends and icons only too happy to chat and recall stories of their careers around the fire at night.

The days of competition consisted of a mixture of rallysprints, motorkhanas,  autocross and two short stages, together with non-competitive drives following mapped via points, where we visited parts of the original 1986 route, purposely taking us through some of South Australia’s most stunning scenery.

Hans devices were not compulsory, neither were driving suits, gloves, nomex underwear, etc.

Graham Wallis was ably assisted by some of the HRA's most experienced people, especially Liz and Kaye, who really put the shine on the gem.

I believe Graham organised a couple of events a few years back where around 20 faced the start line. This one had a maximum number of 40, but three late withdrawals meant a field of 37, and what a wonderfully mixed batch of punters they were. Plenty of Pugs, a Merc, Holdens, Escorts, Stanzas, three well prepared Datto 1600s, a Volvo, Renault, Austin 1800 and a host of others.

The camaraderie was beyond anything I've seen in recent times, and the mix of stunning roads, scenery and social engagement was second to none.  

I can't speak highly enough of this event, and what we need now is for Graham to please run another before we're all too old to enter!

- Ross Dunkerton

Final Results, State Bank Discovery Trial Rerun
1. Ross Dunkerton / Lisa Dunkerton, Datsun 1600
2. John Rawson / Simon Brown, Nissan Stanza
3. Joel Wald / Kim Begelhole, Datsun Stanza
4. Dinta Officer / Kate Officer, Mitsubishi Colt Galant
5. Doug Fernie / Geoff Floyd, Datsun Bluebird  
6. Ian Reddiex / Mike Mitchell, Toyota Celica
7. Ian Swan / Val Swan, Volvo 242 DL  
8. Simon Gardiner / Ray Daniel, Datsun 1600
9. Michael Arundel / Michael Verge, Ford Mustang
10. Robert Knight / Pam Knight, Ford Falcon XR6

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