Four legendary World Rally Championship cars will contest the 2019 Shannons Adelaide Rally, which is shaping up to be the largest tarmac rally event in Australasia, following the 2018 contingent of 304 vehicles.
Topping the list is the original Ari Vatanen 555 Impreza from 1993, a sister car to the one driven by the late Colin McRae. This vehicle, which is chassis number four of the iconic Impreza line, went on to place second at the Rally of Finland and later win the 1994 Asia Pacific Rally Championship at the hands of Possum Bourne.
It is the oldest surviving original WRC Impreza – the only car from 1993 still with its original shell.
In spite of its incredible value and rarity, owner Robbie McLean will drive the freshly restored car in the Classic Competition category at the rally in December.
A feature of the event will be this ex-Ari Vatanen Subaru Impreza WRX.
It will be joined by another WRC Impreza that debuted in the Rally San Remo in 1996, an ex-Freddy Loix Group A Celica GT-Four that competed in the Monte Carlo Rally, and an ex-Carlos Sainz factory WRC Corolla, promising plenty of banging anti-lag sounds and spectacular sights for rally fans.
Joining this pedigree quartet is a massive and diverse field of competition and touring vehicles, all set to take on the technical, twisting roads of the hills and valleys surrounding Adelaide.
“Being so close to the CBD of a major city is one thing that sets the Adelaide Rally apart,” says event director Tim Possingham.
“We have 30 closed road stages of up to 22km in length, all within 55km of the city. With a number of free community events attracting thousands of people, the Adelaide Rally has a festive feel unlike any other, which is something that keeps our drivers coming back year after year.”
Stuart Bowes' ex-Freddy Loix Celica GT-Four has been entered.
Along with a strong contingent of competition cars, some of which are significant, others simply speedy, are the tour categories which are an important element of the event’s success.
“Tour categories are accessible to just about any driver in just about any car,” Possingham says.
“For many people it is their first taste of participation in motorsport. Tour entrants are speed limited and enjoy the challenge of the very tight and winding roads that make up the Rally course – using both sides of the road without the worry of oncoming traffic, pedestrians, bicycles and so on, and without the pressure of competition.
“For many people, the camaraderie that is inherent in motorsport is a surprising and enjoyable element of taking part.”
Darryl Bush will drive his Toyota Corolla World Rally Car.
Tour entrants take part over three days of the four-day event, including a spectacular finale in the city’s East End precinct. A single-day Prima Tour is also on offer.
Prima Tour runs ahead of the pack on the Thursday, taking on five closed road stages before concluding with lunch at the Applewood Distillery in the Adelaide Hills.
Entries are open now for the Adelaide Rally, which runs from December 4-7. Visit www.adelaiderally.com.au for more information and details on how to enter.
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