The tradition continues in 2013 with Australia's largest and most spectacular gravel rally for two wheel drive cars. Based on picturesque Lakes Entrance in East Gippsland the event will be even more exciting and challenging this year with a number of new innovations that are set to make it an outstanding success in 2013.
97 of the best 2wd Classic rally cars in Australia will start from Lakes Entrance on Friday 29th November and travel over 800 kilometres of the best forest gravel roads in East Gippsland before finishing back in Lakes on Sunday afternoon the 2nd of December.
The biggest addition to the event this year is the entry from Scottish rallying legend Alister McRae in an RS1800 MkII Escort. Alister, the brother of World Rally Champion Colin, has competed all over the world for some of the biggest manufacturers in the sport like Mitsubishi, Proton and Hyundai. He has an impressive list of awards to his name including:
- 1992 Group N British Rally Champion
- 1995 British Rally Champion
- 1999 Joint Formula 2 Asia-Pacific Rally Champion
- Number of WRC Formula 2 wins: 7
- Number of WRC Group N wins: 2
On announcing his entry into the Alpine Rally Alister said: “It’s been a busy year for me business wise but no Rallying so I can’t wait to get out on such an iconic event as the Alpine Rally. I’m in the process of building a new Group 4 MKII Escort and the idea of some 450 stage km’s in a rear wheel drive is really exciting. I’m sure, along with all the other competitors, we can put on a real good show”
Spectators will get a perfect opportunity to see the action on the Friday of the event at the Lakes Entrance street stage. Cars will compete around a 1km course starting on Marine Parade and finishing in Mechanics St from 6pm. This is an exciting new addition to the Alpine Rally and has been made possible with the cooperation of the East Gippsland Shire Council, the LEBTA and, of course, the residents of Lakes Entrance.
The main spectator point for the street stage is on the corner of Church and Mechanics Sts in front of the Anglican Church. Spectators can also view the cars as they leave the start line in Marine Pde. The first car is scheduled the stage at 6pm and following cars will be on the course every 30 seconds.
There will also be 7 other spectator points in the forest throughout the weekend and a full spectator guide will be available from the Alpine Rally website in the week prior to the event at www.alpinerally.org.au
Watch video of Alister McRae testing his new Escort below.
SUBSCRIBE BELOW TO READ THE FULL STORY
