Wilson continues WA Tarmac domination in Bunbury

Troy Wilson has backed up his recent Tarmac West victory with a fifth GT Fabrication Bunbury Rallysprint title in soaring temperatures against a big field in WA.

The former West Coast Eagles footballer took out the GT Fabrication Rallysprint in his 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X by 15 sec from last year’s winner Matt Cherry in his 1982 Toyota Starlet.

It was a near perfect seat to the day for Wilson with four clean runs to open the event, but the afternoon presented various challenges, including having to switch out his co-driver John Carcione, a close brush with a kerb, and a blown turbo boost just metres from the line in his final run of the day.

Last year’s winner Matt Cherry finished second in his popular Toyota Starlet. Image/main image: Tim Allott

Cherry, alongside co-driver Cade Bell, overcame the returning David Heaton in his 2010 Mitsubishi EvoX after a 15 month absence from the WA rally tarmac rally scene, with 20 seconds separating the two.

Wilson said that his result, finishing fastest of 106 competitors, wasn’t as easy as the timesheet otherwise suggests, with temperatures outside the cabin reaching 32 degrees.

“It was hot, I lost count how much water I drank, over six litres. My hands were starting to cramp and I had to ask one of the mechanics to go to the shop to buy some salt to keep the cramping at bay,” Wilson said.

“My new co-driver John Carcione was great, and we had four great runs in the morning, didn’t put a wheel wrong. Then due to the heat, he got heat stroke and had to stop, thankfully he’s ok, he’s been given the all-clear from the medics.

“I had to swap co-drivers to Aaron Williams, who saved my butt – but his helmet’s intercom wouldn’t work in my car, so we were doing the second round blind, with no notes.

Allan managed his best ever finish of fourth in his Porsche GT3, to take the points in the Tarmac Cup class. Image: Tim Allott

“That caused a bit of grief and I touched a kerb and damaged the bumper.

“Then, on the last run, 150 metres before the finish, my turbo boost line blew off and that blew my exhaust pipe off with a big bang, and we limped across the finish line. The rally Gods must’ve been smiling on me because I managed to get home.

“I’m relieved to get through an event in that heat, running back-to-back with no rest, it was not only a huge effort from my guys, but a huge effort from everyone, every driver, co-driver, crew and all the volunteers.”

The winner of the separate Tarmac Cup competition class went to Dave Allan and co-driver Steven Clarke who finished in fourth outright. 

The  Tarmac Cup (made up of 15 events) officially runs from November 2023 until September 2024, with the Bunbury Rally Sprint being one of the events that awards the most points.

Heaton took out third to make it two Mitsibishi’s in the top three. Image: Tim Allott

“I’m really surprised, I don’t know how it happened, it’s a great surprise, I’m stoked. It’s not normally where I am in the field,” Allan said.

“I’ve been having a crack for about seven or eight years, so it’s nice to get a good result, it must be starting to come together. And the new car might help,” Allan said, referring to his 2015 Porsche GT3.

The balmy weather on Saturday night (18 November) drew thousands of people and families who admired the rally cars along with the vintage vehicles on display at the Show ‘n’ Shine at the Pat Usher Foreshore in Bunbury.

On Sunday (19 November) thousands of spectators lined the streets of Bunbury’s Halifax Light Industrial Area to watch WA’s best tarmac rally drivers race the clock on the four-kilometre street-race circuit.

Event Director Ross Tapper said that it was a smooth and safe Bunbury Rallysprint.

“The warm weather drew a huge crowd to the Show and Shine and the competition was good with very few issues given that over 100 drivers were racing around the street with kerbs, I’m pleased to report there were no major issues.”

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