The Middle of Everywhere Gippsland Rally, organised by the Vroom Events (with the assistance of CCRMIT), was held on 27-28 August. Clerk of Course was Andrew Roseman.
Australian Rally Championship Round 3
Victorian Rally Championship Round 4
The entire event was pace noted with reconnaissance on the Friday. The event was an “endurance” round of the ARC, meaning no heats, only points for the overall event (and the power stage), The VRC event was conducted only on the first day as two heats.
The ARC event was won by Lewis Bates and Anthony McLoughlin in a Toyota GR Yaris AP4. Team-mate and reigning champion Harry Bates with John McCarthy, lead the event until a broken drive shaft late on Saturday sidelined them. They returned on Sunday to take maximum points on the Power Stage. It was Lewis’ first ARC round win. Victorians Troy Dowel and Bernie Webb were second in their Hyundai G4, with Max McRae and Mac Kierans third in their Subaru. Notable retirements were Scott Pedder whose Renault refused to start after service, Richie Dalton who beached his Yaris on SS2, and Taylor Gill (Subaru) who retired on Saturday’s final stage.
The VRC event was won by Adrian Stratford and Kain Manning in a Subaru Impreza WRX. They also won Heat 2 but were beaten on Heat 1 by Taylor Gill and Daniel Brkic, although they were not eligible for VRC points. Jamie and Brad Luff (Subaru) were next ahead of Brendan Reeves and Kate Catford (Datsun 1600). Reeves also went on to win the 2WD and Classic Cup categories in the ARC round. Nick Seymour and Gordon Grant were second 2WD and first Clubman on Heat 1 but failed to finish Heat 2where Kevin Millard (with Adam Branford in a Datsun 1600) was first Clubman. Lucas and Isaac Draper were first Novice on Heat 1 with Novice series leaders, Thomas West and Stephen Dunbar first Novice on Heat 2,
