Interest in this year’s Alpine Rally of East Gippsland is running hot with over 200 registrations of interest having already been received in just over three weeks.
The Alpine, arguably Australia’s most iconic motorsport event, has gone from strength to strength since its return in 2001 under the banner of the Historic Rally Association.
This year’s Clerk of Course, Owen Polanski, is delighted with the initial response from competitors.
“I am totally blown away by the interest that has been shown already in this Alpine. It’s a record for the registrations of interest and it shows no sign of slowing down,” he said.
“The fact that we have attracted expressions of interest from nearly every state in Australia and even from New Zealand is a testament to the affection the rally community has for the event. Add to that the variety of crews from ex-winners, Australian and state champions to club competitors, it just highlights how the Alpine’s legendary status continues to excite competitors at every level.
“The other thing we are excited about is the range of cars the event is attracting. With everything from full Group 4 BDA Escorts to works copy Stanzas, Porsches, Celicas, Fiats, Mini Cooper S’s, Mercedes, BMWs, Triumph TR8s, Lancers and Commodores, they are sure to excite the large spectator crowds the event is expected to attract.”
The event will start on Friday, November 27 with a 900-metre town stage run through the streets of Lakes Entrance, which is sure to kick the event off with a burst of excitement, before the crews head out for two long days of hard competition that will take them from Lakes Entrance to Orbost and as far as Cann River, before finishing on the Sunday afternoon back in Lakes Entrance.
“We are also proud and excited that Black Magic Media will be producing a one hour documentary for free-to-air television on the event,” Polanski added.
“This just adds to the incredible interest we have been attracting through the Alpine website and Facebook pages, and bodes well for the ongoing longevity of the event. This year celebrates the Alpine’s 94th year and 62nd running since it was first run in 1921 by the RACV through the high country of North Eastern Victoria, and it continues a very proud tradition.”
Since 2001, the Alpine has been organised by the Historic Rally Association, a Victorian based club that promotes historic rallying through its 900 members from all around the country, and whose aim is to keep the excitement and traditions of rallying well and truly alive. This is no more evident than by its running of the iconic Alpine Rally of East Gippsland.
- Paul Mollison
Caption: Ben Barker was the early leader in the 2013 Alpine Rally in his BMW, but the win eventually went to Jeff David's Porsche. (Golly Photographix)
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