2009 Victorian Rally Championship

This year Mark Fawcett and Carrie Morris dominated the VRC in their Subaru WRX STi. It was Mark’s second VRC title. The only other round winners were Brenden Reeves / Ben Atkinson (Subaru Impreza WRX).

Brian Semmens and David Leoncini dominated the 2WD championship with three wins and a second place in their Nissan 200SX RV S12.

Brenden Brown was consistent in the Clubman award in his Datsun 180B SSS, placing in the top three in every round, His co-driver, Samantha Robison, also won the Clubman award despite only being beside Brenden in 3 rounds.

Brett Mackieson and Julian Ong won the Novice award in their Daihatsu Charade with a first, second and fifth.

To see what else happened during 2009 in Victorian rallying, go to the 2009 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 the same as the previous year except for changes to the points system.

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 30-25-21-18-16-14-12-10-8-6-5-4-3-2-1 for first to fifteenth.  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 compete in at least 50% of the events.

Events

There were 5 VRC events in 2008. The Cerberus Stages was to be Round 1 but it was cancelled.

  1. East Gippsland Stages (MUCC) 
  2. Bega Valley Rally (NSW)
  3. George Derrick Memorial Rally (CCRMIT) 
  4. Begonia Rally (BLCC)
  5. Akademos Rally (MUCC)

Pointscores

Class Awards

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

PRC 1401-1600cc: Tony Moore / Nikki Moore, Hyundai Excel

PRC 1601-2000cc: Brenden Brown / Samantha Robison, Datsun 180B SSS

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

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

PRC 4WD over 2000cc pre 1991: Ross Allan / Scott Allan, Subaru Legacy

Group N under 1400cc: not awarded

Group N 1401-1600cc: not awarded

Group N: 1601-2000cc: not awarded

Group N over 2000cc: not awarded

HRC: Michael Conway / Jenny Cole, Ford Escort Mk II

CRC: not awarded