Driving a 1990 Nissan Skyline GT-R Nismo, the pair impressed on home ground last year and they are determined to take the challenge right up interstaters on their home roads.
The Early Modern competition is open to cars built between 1986 and 2001, and this means that Nissan’s “Godzilla” Skyline GT-Rs are a popular choice among drivers.
In recent events, the Nissans have battled it out with a brace of Mitsubishi Lancer Evolutions in the fight for victory, but 30 special stages and over 200 competitive kilometres also means that reliability and consistency will play a big part.
Possingham is pumped-up for the challenge at home.
"I can’t wait to get onto some of these new stages,” Possingham said. “Ones like Aldgate, Stirling and Upper Sturt are super technical and deliver some incredible challenges.
“This, combined with the fact that they are easily accessible for spectators and only 20 minutes from the heart of the CBD, means it is going to be fantastic for the event.
“The night stage is an absolute cracker of an initiative and something that I believe will be a huge spectacle. It really brings the rally to the people in a stadium type environment. I'm going to feel a bit like a gladiator going in to battle in the Colosseum on that Wednesday night!"
But Clerk of Course, Stuart Benson, thinks the South Australian won’t have it all his own way.
“Richard Perini will do well in his 2000 Porsche 911GT3 as he’s always around the hunt , and New Zealander combination, Danny Stuttered and Richard Scoular finished third at Targa Tasmania in April and you’d expect them to be stronger again in only their second Australian event.”
Experience counts as well, and to that end, Adam and David Kaplan should put in a strong showing. Their Group A Holden Commodore SS really is a full-on racing car, and apart from being a crowd puller, it is also incredibly fast in Kaplan’s hands.
The BMW M3s of Keith Wannop and David Harris should be right amongst the leaders, while the leading Porsche hope looks like being Richard Perini in a 2000 911 GT3.
Other desirable cars in the field include Lloyd Berger’s 1994 Audi S2, Charles Knott’s rare 1998 TVR Chimaera, and the 2002 Alfa Romeo 147 GTA of Robert Kilsby.