Both Schofield and Ruggles are past winners of the Challenge and are looking forward to providing the basis for what will be the best year yet for the Classic Rally Challenge.
The soon-to-be CAMS affiliated car club will be called the New South Wales Classic Rally Car Association, membership of which will be $40 annually. Details can be found on a new Website www.classicrallycars.com.au
"By popular demand by NSW classic rally competitors, we will no longer be travelling interstate to compete in Victorian and South Australian events, except for the Alpine Rally in November,” Schofield said.
“The Lithgow, Bega and the Bago 100 rally organisers have agreed to run the NSW Classic Rally Car Challenge in a similar format to which it ran in 2006 with ACRA. We will also run in the new Forster-based event at the end of June and will also possibly run in Coffs Harbour and Batemans Bay," Schofield added.
The new Forster classic rally on June 22 and 23, which was previously known as the Southern Cross Classic Rally, has also undergone a name change, the revised name of which will be announced soon.
Ruggles and Schofield would be happy to hear from anyone regarding this new structure and their involvement in it.
”There is no doubt that classic rally cars are gaining in popularity and attracting competitors and spectators back to rallying. With this in mind we are working with event directors to support their main events and are now close to being able to confirm the calendar for 2007.
We have negotiated with all the organisers and have tried to program a fair mix of events in NSW,” Schofield added. “One of our major criteria is that all events be of at least state round status (except Bago) and we aim to support the rally by showcasing the classic cars at the front of the main field,” he concluded.
With the first event confirmed for May, intending competitors who are building or re-building their cars will have plenty of time to get them ready.
2007 NSW Classic Rally Challenge
May 12 Lithgow - NSW 1 (pacenoted)
June 10 Bega - NSW 2*
June 23 Forster Classic Rally - NSWCRCA
July 21 Batemans Bay - NSW 3**
August 11 Coffs Harbour - NSW 4**
September 29 Bago 100
November 24 Alpine Rally - HRA
* As Bega is very close to the Forster Classic Rally, it has been decided, at this stage, to include only the short version of the Bega Rally in the Challenge.
** To be confirmed.
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