Changes to Rally of Canberra schedule

By Thomas Miles

Date posted: April 5, 2024

The 2024 Australian Rally Championship will begin at the Rally of Canberra this weekend but with a tweak to the schedule.

The forecast for wet weather in the nation’s capital has forced some stages to be cancelled plus the removal of one spectator point.

There will be a wet lead up in Canberra with 100% chance of 15-40mm forecast for today, while there is a similarly bleak outlook for the big opening day with 10-45mm and a possible thunderstorm forecast by the BOM.

As a result, competitive stages 3 and 6 in the Blue Range / East West forest have been cancelled.

This is due to the forest’s red clay-based roads being deemed unsafe in the wet conditions.

In addition to the stages, Spectator Point #2 will also be unavailable for fans.

The stage cancellations follow the Rally Show and Ceremonial start scheduled for 18.00 AEDT tonight was also called off.

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Despite the loss of those runs, the 2024 Australian Rally Championship season will still kick off with a 22km Special Stage at Oakey Camp before the 10km run at Kingfisher.

The repeat runs at those two locations in stages 4 and 5 in the Paddys River Road region will also proceed on the more gravel based roads.

It will ensure fans will enjoy the sight of AOC action at Spectator Point #1 in Oakey Creek.

At this point the Sunday stages are expected to run without any changes with Rally of Canberra organisers to “continue to monitor the weather and road conditions, and will advise of any changes.”

The season opener of the 2024 AOC season sees the down under debut of the new Toyota Yaris Rally2 driven by reigning champion Harry Bates.

Lewis Bates will look to fight hard in the four-year old GR Yaris AP4 while Scott Redder will also be one to look out for returning in his Skoda and Molly Taylor is also in action.

The 2024 Rally of Canberra will be broadcast on 7plus this weekend.

2024 Rally of Canberra schedule

Saturday, April 6

SS1: Oakey Camp 22.22km first car due at 8.53

SS2: Kingfisher 10.08km first car due at 9.41

SS4: Oakey Camp 22.22km first car due at 13.32

SS5: Kingfisher 10.08km first car due at 14.20

Sunday, April 7

SS7: Long Jack 10.46km first car due at 8.53

SS8: Charcoal Kiln 18.60km first car due at 9.06

SS9: Bald Millpost 9.05km first car due at 9.44

SS10: Long Jack 10.46km first car due at 12.47

SS11: Charcoal Kiln 18.60km first car due at 13.00

SS12 Power Stage: Bald Millpost 9.05km first car due at 13.38

Image: Peter Norton EPIC Sports Photography

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Changes to Rally of Canberra schedule

This is due to the forest’s red clay-based roads being deemed unsafe in the wet conditions.

The repeat runs at those two locations in stages 4 and 5 in the Paddys River Road region will also proceed on the more gravel based roads.

The season opener of the 2024 AOC season sees the down under debut of the new Toyota Yaris Rally2 driven by reigning champion Harry Bates.

2024 Rally of Canberra schedule

Latest Podcast: Follow the Easter Trail and more here on the Auto Action RevLimiter

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