The event will be based at Echuca on the Murray River in north- central Victoria, using roads that have seen very little (if any) rallying in the last 30 years. After a daylight touring stage, the night stages will follow the theme of the 1977 Datsun Riverland Rally, using, where possible, some of the exact same route and instructions (route charts) from that event. Â
While expecting the bulk of the field to be made up of regular HRA crews, the organisers are looking to make the event highly appealing to those outside the club by making the navigation much less arduous than for usual HRA events. Â
As well as three fully route charted stages, modern, large scale and easy-to-read maps will be provided and these will be pre-plotted. The usual 30 minute penalty for missing a via point or reaching it from the wrong direction (WD) have been drastically reduced to just 15 and 10 points respectively. Â
There is also a category for road cars and road tyres, aimed to encourage competitors in road cars to `come and try' club level rallying without the need for special rally preparations - all that's needed is a minimum of safety equipment. In fact, the initial road check was done in a stock standard, 30 year old automatic 1600cc Datsun Stanza on narrow cross ply road tyres! Â
This event provides a great opportunity to have a weekend away. There's plenty to see and do while in the Echuca - Moama district - ride a paddle steamer, tour the Historic Port, visit the National Old Holden Museum, tour the little-known award winning wineries, and lots more.
The Echuca Moama Tourism office have identified 27 accommodation venues within walking distance of event headquarters and are working with the organisers to handle all bookings for the event.
Details are included with the Supp Regs which are now available at the Rich River page of the HRA website.
The HRA are just about to release details of an on-line entry form and officials registration form for those who would prefer to use 21st century methods, even for Historic style rallies. Stay tuned for further details soon.
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