South Australian based classic rallying outfit Team Racetune Services is making its interstate competition debut this weekend. The 2008 inaugural SA Rally Championship Classic champions will take part in Australia’s biggest loose surface classic rally, the Yokohama Alpine Rally in Victoria’s East Gippsland Region.
The 1974 Ford Mk 1 Escort will be running in the Classic Rally Car division against a swarm of Mk 2 Escorts, Datsuns, Lancias and the Mercedes Benz 280S of fellow South Australian competitors Bruce and Julia Field.
A veteran of over 30 years of rallying both in Australia and England, driver and team owner Reg Marratt is keen to tackle the event for the first time.
“I grew up on this style of rallying in the UK,” he enthused. “Blind (non pace-noted) rallying and night navigation trials on narrow English country lanes in Escorts and Minis were a great training ground for this style of event.”
“Some of the SA rally people have done previous Alpines and raved about the event so we just had to come over and do it.”
“It’s a credit to the organisers to be able to attract nearly 120 2-wheel drive, non turbo rally cars to a forest event. This thing is over-subscribed with reserve entries – Brilliant!”
Joining Reg on the stages is highly experienced rally competitor Jeremy Browne who takes over for the event from regular co-driver David Langfield. Jeremy brings a wealth of experience and knowledge in both driver and navigator roles, especially with non pace-noted events such as the Alpine. He has competed in numerous rallies both in Australia and overseas.
The event gets underway on Friday November 13th with a prologue to seed the starting order for competition on Saturday and Sunday. The stages cover a variety of locations in the East Gippsland area around picturesque Lakes Entrance with Rally Headquarters based at the Forestech Campus at Kalimna West. For more information visit www.alpinerally.org.au
Canteen – Supporting Young People Living with Cancer
The Team Racetune Services Escort has carried CanTeen logos throughout the SA Rally Championship in 2008 and 2009. We are proud to be raising awareness and funds in support of the vital work done by CanTeen in their support of Young People Living with Cancer.
For additional Information please go to www.canteen.org.au
Photo: Lisa Arklay
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