2008 Victorian Rally Championship

After placing second in the VRC several times, Mark Fawcett and Simon Ellis took honours in the 2008 championship in their Subaru WRX STi. Consistency paid off with one win, two seconds and a third across the five rounds. Jesse and Samantha Robison had two wins in their Subaru WRX but gained no other points. Other round winners were Darren Windus / Michael Cains (Subaru WRX) and Brendan Reeves / Rhianon Smyth (Subaru Impreza RS).

To see what else happened during 2008 in Victorian rallying, go to the 2008 year page.

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

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Series Regulations

These were specified in the VRC Standing Regulations which were substantially the same as the previous year.

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

Eligible vehicles were PRC, Group N, Historic Rally Cars and Classic Rally Cars (not eligible for VRC points).

Awards were made for outright champions, 2WD, Clubman and Novice. 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, Historic Rally Cars and Classic Rally Cars.

All awards were allocated 20-16-14-12-10-8-6-4-2-1 for first to  tenth.  With five rounds, the best four 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 5 VRC events in 2008. The Bega Valley Motors Rally was calendared as Round 3 but was cancelled. Rally of Melbourne was to provide two heats but once cancelled, the HRA stepped up with the Murrundindi Magic Rally as Round 4.

  1. Cerberus Stages – Results in March Unicar
  2. East Gippsland Stages – Results in May Unicar
  3. George Derrick Memorial Rally – Results in July Unicar
  4. Murrundindi Magic – Results in Oct Unicar
  5. Akademos Rally – Results in Nov Unicar

Outright Pointscores

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2WD Pointscores

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Clubman Pointscores

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Novice Pointscores

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Class Awards

PRC under 1400cc: Aiden O’Halloran, Suzuki Swift GTi
Co-driver: not awarded

PRC 1401-1600cc: Ross Allan / Scott Allan, Hyundai Excel

PRC 1601-2000cc: John Lambie, Ford Escort Mk II
Co-driver: not awarded

PRC 2WD over 2000cc: Andrew Taykor / Robin Smalley, Mazda RX7

PRC 4WD over 2000cc post 1990: Mark Fawcett / Simon Ellis, Subaru WRC STi.

PRC 4WD over 2000cc pre 1991: Ivan Regester / Paul Humm, Subaru Legacy RS

Group N under 1400cc: Bill Hunter / Patrick Hunter, Suzuki Swift GTi

Group N 1401-1600cc: not awarded

Group N: 1601-2000cc: not awarded

Group N over 2000cc: Kirk Marks / Sarah Marks, Subaru Impreza WRX

HRC: not awarded

CRC: Steve White, car?
Co-driver: not awarded