Rallycross returns to Australia after an absence of nearly four decades this coming Thursday, May 21, with the unveiling of a new, purpose-built 1.8km course at the Broadford Motor Cycle Complex, one hour’s drive north of Melbourne.
A number of noted rally drivers will trial the new circuit and offer advice on its final form in advance of the first scheduled Rallycross meeting there on July 19.
Drivers expected to take part in the course trial in their current rally cars include former Australian Rally Champions Eli Evans, Simon Evans, David ‘Dinta’ Officer, Jeff Beaumont and four times Victorian Champion Graeme Wise.
Members of the Historic Rally Association will be on hand to take guests on laps of the Rallycross track.
CAMS, which is actively supporting the sport’s return to Australia, has confirmed the attendance of five senior members led by CEO Eugene Arocca, Motorcycle Victoria CEO Wayne Holdsworth and other MCV officials will also be there to welcome the joint venture..
A number of current Rally and Autocross cars will be on display.
The day’s formal proceedings will commence at 11am, with the track demonstration from 12 noon-1.00pm. It will conclude with a simple barbecue at 1.50pm following guest rides by HRA members.
Rallycross Australia organising committee members including former Australian Rally Champion and leading 1970s Rallycross competitor Bob Watson, will be available for interviews. Press information and publication quality photographs from the day will be available for attending media.
Following the demonstration and feedback from participating drivers, the course will be finalised in preparation for the first full meeting staged by Rallycross Australia on July 19.
A second 2015 meeting has been scheduled for October 25 this year, while there are plans to stage a six meeting series in 2016.
The inaugural Rallycross Australia meeting will be limited to 80 competitors in cars currently qualifying for Australian Autocross or Rally events.
As previously, cars will compete four at a time over three laps of a course combining sealed and unsealed surfaces, jumps and water hazards.
The agreement to ‘re-birth’ Rallycross at the Broadford Motor Cycle Complex follows many months’ work by Rallycross Australia to find a suitable venue and a promoter for the sport. The highly regarded Historic Rally Association has taken on the role of promoter.
The Broadford Motor Cycle Sports Complex is run by Motorcycling Victoria with some government funding. The tarmac racetrack is 10m wide, set in an amphitheatre that gives spectators a total view of the action.
Pit garages, a control tower, timing facilities, toilets and catering make Broadford an ideal venue.
A gravel section of track has been added for Rallycross and includes jumps and a water splash to simulate a rally environment and add spectacle.
Rallycross is expected to attract current rally and autocross competitors. Broadford is easy to reach; meetings will be staged over one day only; the sport offers exciting wheel to wheel competition and tyre and fuel bills and wear and tear on cars will be relatively low.
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