Eureka Rallies and Trials

Find out about the rich history of the Begonia and Eureka Rallies

Event History

The Ballarat Branch of the Light Car Club adopted the Eureka name when it was selected to conduct one of Victoria’s two rounds of the Australian Rally Championship in 1970.

The Eureka name was used for a Trial in the 1980s and 1991, sometimes called the Eureka Novice Trial.

The Eureka name was resurrected in 2017 when the club was again selected to conduct Victoria’s round of the ARC. In 2019, the event was renamed the “Eureka Rush” to distinguish it from BLCC events, as they were no longer the organiser.

Bob Watson and Jim McAuliffe on their way to winning the 1970 Eureka Rally

List of Editions held of this event.

Click on the Year to see more details about each edition. Click on the Area to see a plot of the route (where available).

YearDirectorAreaWinning driverWinning navigator / co-driverWinning carStatus
1970Jack EllisBallarat, Smythesdale, Ararat, Grampians, Mt Cole, Pyrenees Bob WatsonJim McAuliffeRenault R8 GordiniARC
1981Bruce CampbellClub
1982Bruce CampbellClub
1983Tim CollinsClub
1984Tim CollinsClub
1985Tim CollinsClub
1986Tim CollinsSteve McLaughlinNoel KellyDatsun StanzaVTS, VCS
1987Bernard LakerinkVTC
1991Darren EverittClub
2017Ross RunnallsDaylesford, Creswick, South of BallaratHarry BatesJohn McCarthyToyota Corolla S2000ARC, VRC
2018Andrew RosemanDaylesford, South of BallaratHarry BatesJohn McCarthyToyota Yaris AP4ARC, VRC
2019Andrew RosemanBeaufort, Mt ColeHarry BatesJohn McCarthyToyota Yaris AP4ARC, VRC
2020Cancelled (covid)ARC, VRC

NOTES:

From 1981 to 1991 the event was known as the Eureka Trial or the Eureka Novice Trial.

In 2017 and 2018, it was the Eureka Rally and in 2019, the Eureka Rush.