2005 RACEtech Steel Victorian Rally Championship

Justin Dowell and Matt Lee won the 2005 RACEtech Steel VRC with three wins across the six rounds, including both days of Rally of Melbourne, which counted as two rounds. They were closely followed by Mark Fawcett and Simon Ellis in a Subaru WRC STi who won both the first and last rounds of the championship. It was the first of three VRC wins  on the trot for Dowell and Lee.

To see what else happened during 2005 in Victorian rallying, go to the 2005 year page.

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

Need photos notice

Series Regulations

These were specified in the VRC Standing Regulations which were substantially identical to the previous year except for the counting of the Rally of Melbourne as two rounds.

The VRC was made up exclusively of Special Stage events with competitive distances between 50 and 230 km.

Eligible vehicles were PRC, Group N and Historic Rally Cars.

Awards were made for outright champions, 2WD, Clubman and Novice (sponsored by Peddars and known as the Peddars No Bull Award). There were also car class awards as follows: PRC up to 1400cc, PRC 1401-1600cc, PRC 1601-2000cc, PRC 2WD over 2000cc, PRC 4WD over 2000cc (split into two classes, pre and post 1991) , Group N under 1400cc, Group N 1401-1600cc, Group N 1601-2000cc, Group N over 2000cc and Historic Rally Cars.

All awards were allocated 20-16-14-12-10-8-6-4-2-1 for first to tenth.  With only four rounds, all results counted. With six rounds. the best five results counted. Series Registration was introduced back in 1994 and only registered competitors were eligible for points. However, bona fide Victorian competitors were automatically recognised as registered! All awards required competitors to complete in at least 50% of the events.

Events

There were 6 VRC events in 2005. For the first time the two day ARC round, the Rally of Melbourne, counted as two separate rounds of the VRC.

  1. David Nutter Ford Used Car Rally (CCRMIT)
  2. Akademos Rally (MUCC)
  3. Bega Valley Motors Rally (NSW)
  4. Rally of Melbourne (also ARC)
  5. Heat 2 of Rally of Melbourne
  6. Begonia Rally (BLCC)

Outright Pointscores

2WD Pointscores

Clubman Pointscores

Novice Pointscores

Class Awards

PRC under 1400cc: Brad Sanders / Melinda Sanders, Suzuki Swift GTi

PRC 1401-1600cc: Travis McInnes / Patrina Lucas, Holden Gemini

PRC 1601-2000cc: Keith Lewis / Kylie Turner, Suzuki Baleno GTX

PRC 2WD over 2000cc: Brian Semmens / David Leoncini, Nissan 200SX RV S12

PRC4WD over 2000cc post 1990: Justin Dowell / Matt Lee, Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 6.5

PRC 4WD over 2000cc pre 1991: Craig Morris / Carrie Morris, Mitsubishi Galant VR4

Group N under 1400cc: not awarded

Group N 1401-1600cc: not awarded

Group N: 1601-2000cc: not awarded

Group N over 2000cc: Steve Ashton / Ro Nixon, Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 7

HRC: not awarded

Class Points Tables