Vic High Country awaits epic ATR season finale 

The Great Tarmac Rally heads to the Victorian High Country this weekend for the season finale of the AASA sanctioned Australian Tarmac Rally (ATR) season.

Based out of beautiful Marysville, the Great Tarmac Rally is one of the country’s pinnacle tarmac rally events, with its 250 competitive kilometres described by competitors as some of the toughest in Australia.

This season has seen the ATR and the AASA flying the flag for tarmac rally events in Australia in times of turmoil, and the season has had such highlights as the Snowy River Sprint, and the Lake Mountain Sprint which was also in the Marysville area in stunning snowy conditions.

This year’s Great Tarmac Rally entry list also promises to be as breathtaking as the Victorian scenery that accompanies the event, with 69 entries listed for the October 21-22 event.

The scarcely built 2019 Porsche 911 GT2 RS Club Sport of Mark Cates and Bernie Webb is just one of the many anticipated entrants. Image: Angryman Photography 

Sadly, the highly anticipated KPG Ford Escort Mk2 entry of 25 time Isle of Man TT winner (second of all-time) Michael Dunlop along with his co-driver Mac Kierans, has been forced to withdraw owing to Dunlop picking up an injury.

But spectators can expect to see entries like the Mark Cates and Bernie Webb 2019 Porsche 911 GT2 RS Club Sport – one of only 200 units produced, the 1995 Nissan Skyline GTR V-Spec of Liam Larry Howarth, as well as classics like the Thomas Dermody and Padraig Cronin 1978 Ford Escort.

The ATR organisers have also put it out there that the Classic class is one of the most stunning that the competition has ever fielded.

This 78 Ford Escort is one of the stellar classic class entrants for the 2023 Great Tarmac Rally. Image: Angryman Photography

Starting in Marysville, the Great Tarmac Rally travels through Cambarville and Cumberland Junction in a stage many consider the highlight of any Rally in Victoria – the Reefton Spur.  

With a 95% corner ratio along its 37km length, the road follows ridge-crests which look out over The Upper Yarra Catchment Basin, surrounded by alpine forest.

Sunday sees a new challenge that was added in 2020, with the field heading out via Buxton and Taggerty to tackle the ever popular Eildon-Jamieson Road and adding over 110 new competitive kilometres and adding six new stages. 

This makes 72% of the event competitive, with only 98 kilometres touring.

The organisers have also put out a notice regarding spectator viewing spots:

“Due the extreme nature of our sport and our extensive road closures (9+ hours), unfortunately, we are unable to provide any specific recommendations for spectator areas along the course.”

The following is a list of where spectators can reliably view the entry list up close and personal…

– Marysville Golf Club on Friday 20th October from 12pm – 5pm

– Marysville Community Centre on Saturday 21st October from 7:45am – 8:30am and from 12:30pm for lunch.

– Reefton Pub on Saturday 21st October from 10am – 11am.

– Eildon Riverside Drive on Sunday 22nd October from 7:45am – 8:30am.

– Marysville Golf Club on Sunday afternoon for the official finish from 4:00pm.

*Please note: these times may be altered due to the running of the rally on the day.

Click this link to see the full entry list.

For more information, visit the Australian Tarmac Rally Facebook or website.

For more of the latest motorsport news, pick up the latest issue of AUTO ACTION or subscribe HERE

Listen to our latest podcast episode here or on your podcast app of choice.