Not only was it the first for the 2010 season, but it was the first gravel rally in the Sunshine State to be run under the banner of the AASA. It was also the first Qld rally in many years to have a Ladies Class and to run A to B timing.
The Northern Districts Sporting Car Club made the bold move in order to keep the entry and licencing simple and affordable, in the hope of attracting and breeding new people into the sport. The entry list showed that it worked, with six brand new entrants that have never entered a rally previously.
It was also round one of the newly developed Sprint Master Series that will see two forest rallies and two held on private property.
Through some clever design and planning, the day was set up to allow entrants to cross enter the same car. First was Rob Bishop in a Mitsubishi Evo 1 and Jo O’Dell in the same car filled second place. Chris Wedding in a very tidy 1600 took a well earned third position. So close was the competition that as the day unfolded, 3rd – 7th was only separated by a handful of seconds.
The spot light shone brightly on the new competitors though and they all stepped up and did a sensational job. The new competitors included 3 Ladies and 3 Under 25’s. The day ran smoothly and no accidents occurred and only a few mechanical gremlins sidelined a couple of cars.
Experienced Director Adrian Dillon took on the Clerk of the Course role and did a professional job of road selection and managed the event superbly.
Adrian’s experience and the clubs organisational skills were put the test early in the day when an unrelated traffic accident out on the highway saw locals wanting to short cut through the forest, only to find it impenetrable with the road block crews having every avenue well and truly covered.
Although only nineteen cars lined up for this round, there is little doubt that now the secret is out, there will be more lining up for the next one.
At only $150 entry fee for a very well run event, it makes for the best value rallying in Queensland.
The next NDSCC Sprint Master will be held on private property near Gatton on Saturday 1st May. Details can be found at www.ndscc.asn.au
Photo caption:
Jamie Lawson & Chris Munro in the newly acquired Commodore Ute, “The Devil”.
Courtesy of Red Hot Shotz Sports Photography
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