1997 Victorian Rally Championship

It was a dominant performance by Mike Reeves and Robin Smalley on the first three rounds of five on this year’s Victorian Rally Championship. Two wins and a second gave them an almost insurmountable points lead. Their closest challengers were Cody Crocker with Greg Foletta, and Graeme Wise with Ron Beekman. Wise’s hopes were dashed with an exclusion from the North Eastern. In the end, two new round winners emerged on the final two rounds, Ashlea James with Brendan Clough, and Phil Messer with Ian Fulton.

The Novice Award was closely fought with four different winners across the five rounds. Martin Grigg won the drivers award with a win and three seconds. His co-driver, Chris Tait, won the co-drivers award despite not entering the final round.

To see what else happened during 1997 in Victorian rallying, go to the 1997 year page.

To see other years of the Victorian Rally Championship, go to the VRC page.

Series Regulations

These were specified in the VRC Standing Regulations.

The VRC was made up exclusively of Special Stage events.

Eligible vehicles were PRC, Group N and HRC.

Awards were made for outright champions and Novice. There were also car class awards as follows: PRC 2WD up to 1300cc, PRC 2WD 1301-1600cc, PRC 2WD 1601-2000cc, PRC 2WD over 2000cc, PRC 4WD, Group N 2WD under 1300cc, Group N 1301-1600cc, Group N 1601-2000cc, Group N 2WD over 2000cc, Group N 4WD, Formula Commodore (a sub-class of PRC) and Historic Rally Cars.

Outright and Novice points were allocated 20-15-12-10-8-6-4-3-2-1 for first to  tenth. Class points were allocated 9-6-4-3-2-1. Series Registration was introduced in 1994 and only registered competitors were eligible for points. However, bona fide Victorian competitors were automatically recognised as registered! Class awards required competitors to compete in at least 50% of the events.

Events

There were 5 VRC events this year. The Mount Gambier Rally was calendared as Round 2 but was cancelled.

Click on each event to see further details, including results:

  1. Win TV Rally in the Valley (FFCC)
  2. Goulburner Rally (SDCC)
  3. Rally of Melbourne (also ARC)
  4. North Eastern Rally (NECC)
  5. Djerriwarrh Rally (MMSC)

Outright Pointscores

Outright Drivers Pointscores

PlaceDriverR1R2R3R4R5Total
1Mike Reeves20201555
2=Cody Crocker152035
2=Phil Messer152035
4Mark Fawcett82121032
5Graeme Wise121224
6Peter Evans8½10523½
7=Brian Semmens122822
7=Graeme Gambold101222
9Ashlea James2020
10Chris Lowe10818
11=Simon Evans1515
11=Craig Morris1515
13Graham Alexander1010
14Richard McNay639
15David West88
16Brett Thomson347
17=Peter Whitten66
17=David Nutter66
17=Nick Whiteley426
17=Rob Devenish66
21=Rowan Quill Jr235
21=Ross Fraser55
23=Brad Beaverstock44
23=Ian Swan314
23=Barrie Crocker44
26Adam Wilson33
27Paul Mahony22
28=Murray Rogers11
28=Gerald Mammi11
28=Martin Grigg11
31Mark Roberst½½

Outright Co-Drivers Pointscores

PlaceCo-driverR1R2R3R4R5Total
1Robin Smalley20201555
2=Greg Foletta152035
2=Ian Fulton152035
4Tony Boyd82121032
5Rob Beekman121224
6Kylie Evans8½10523½
7Chris Randell101222
8Brendan Clough2020
9Richard Gay10818
10=David Schneiders1515
10=Jenny Cole1515
12Dan Parry1212
13David Stewart1010
14=Rachel Bruty88
14=Tony Best88
16Rob Vanderee347
17=Felicity Nutter66
17=Greg Day66
17=Marty Watkins66
17=Peter Whiteley426
17=Stephen Kealey66
22=Ashley Fraser55
22=Michelle Canning235
24=David Vears44
24=Trevor Lansdown44
24=Val Swan314
27=Andrew McNay33
27=Jacqui Cole33
29=Mark Rodgers22
29=Paul King22
31=David Metzke11
31=Geoff Sheeran11
31=Ross Green11
34Susan Brick½½

Novice Pointscores

Novice Drivers Pointscores

PlaceDriverR1R2R3R4R5Total
1Martin Grigg1515152065
2Adam Wilson1210151249
3David Nutter2202042
4Barry Rowe104810836 (40)
5Glenn Secomb8121535
6=A. Kent2020
6=Barrie Crocker2020
8Brendon Lindsey624618
9Ross Stapleton8816
10=Mark Pedder1212
10=Gerald Mammi1212
12=Richard Fung1010
12=Craig Dawson4610
12=Sean O’Flynn1010
15=M. Szutta66
15=Steve Blair66
17=D. Norman44
17=Dean Henthorn44
19=D. Horsely33
19=N. Lorraine33
19=R. Price33
22R. Verschur11

Novice Co-Drivers Pointscores

PlaceCo-driverR1R2R3R4R5Total
1Chris Tait15151545
2Felicity Nutter2202042
3Grant Pearson104810836 (40)
4David Peterson8121535
5Jacqui Cole151227
6A. Hunter121022
7=Noel Insley2020
7=Trevor Lansdown2020
7=David Metzke2020
10=John McLaughlin24612
10=David Schneiders1212
10=Geoff Sheeran1212
13=A. Cunningham1010
13=Brian Tiedemann4610
13=Michael Twycross1010
16=David Haddon88
16=Tony Borg88
18=Matt deVaus66
18=Damien Perkins66
18=Roger Pederson66
21=James Stewart44
21=D. Fiddes44
23=Mark Millar33
23=B. McNeil33
23=S. David33
26B. Verschut11

Class Awards

PRC 2WD under 1300cc: Glenn Secomb / David Peterson, Honda Civic

PRC 2WD 1300-1600cc: Brian Semmens, Toyota Corolla TE37
Co-driver: not awarded

PRC 2WD 1600-2000cc: Adam Wilson, Toyota Celica RA40
Co-driver: Peter Whiteley (with Nick Whiteley)

PRC 2WD over 2000cc: Chris Lowe / Richard Gay, Holden Commodore VP V8

PRC 4WD: Mike Reeves / Robin Smalley, Mitsubishi Galant VR4 / Mitsubishi Lancer RSe3

Group N 2WD under 1300cc: not awarded

Group N 2WD 1301-1600cc: not awarded

Group N 2WD 1601-2000cc: not awarded

Group N 2WD over 2000cc: not awarded

Group N 4WD: Martin Grigg, Mitsubishi Lancer RSe3
Co-driver: Felicity Nutter (with David Nutter)

Formula Commodore: Chris Walters / Jamie Sargeant, Commodore VH

HRC: Brendon Lindsey / John McLaughlin, Alfa Romeo Guilia