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Victorian Rally Championship heads into Noojee forests

By Auto Action

Date posted: April 16, 2024

This Saturday’s Motorsport Australia Victorian Rally Championship round has attracted a healthy field, bolstered by some fast crews missing from the opening round. 

The Draper’s Civil Contracting Ada River Rally on April 20 will have 39 crews battle for the Victorian Championship, while an additional 31 crews will contest the Victorian Club Rally Series (VCRS) over a similar but shorter course.

Perhaps it’s not surprising, as this rally was awarded the best Victorian Motorsport event 3 years running and once again runs in the forests around Noojee with the first car away at 8:30 am.

The field includes several fancied interstate crews hoping to bank more points down here after their results in round 1.

Joshua Redhead/Ray Winwood-Smith from NSW lead that contingent, hoping to at least have two consistent heat results this time around.

Last year’s rally winner Brendan Reeves missed round 1 but is back with his potent Datsun P510.

That could suit Redhead/Winwood Smith nicely as they will need someone to get between themselves and the 2022 champion Adrian Stratford.

Based on form though Stratford, with Anthony Staltari sitting alongside in their G4 spec Ford Fiesta, look up to the challenge. With just four rounds (eight heats) making up the 2024 championship, Stratford with two heat wins from 2, is perfectly placed to take the title again.

The VCRS has picked up a new series sponsor in ProRally Fabrications and they also prepare some of the leading cars.  Top on points after round 1 are Joel/Wald/Cathy Elliot.

They will be hoping improvements to their Stanza’s top speed will keep Semmens/Parry (Nissan 200SX) at bay after being just 48 seconds to the better in round 1.

A healthy contingent of Excels is led by newcomer Lucas Reed. He will be challenged by the experience of David Burn, but look for Kathryn Raymond and Rose North to take away a bag full of points going in to round 3 in Gippsland.

Based at the Noojee heritage centre, crews will compete over 140 km of competitive stages in the 2 heats. VCRS crews will contest 110 km. For both it is a ‘blind’ rally meaning no recce and no pace notes: drive it as you see it, with a little help from the roadbook!

Spectators are not left out with two excellent points set aside, each visited twice by the rally. Download instructions from Sportify and use code ADA2024.

By Alan Baker

Image: Roy Meuronen 

Don’t forget the latest issue of Auto Action will be available via subscription here or at selected outlets. For more of the latest motorsport news, subscribe to AUTO ACTION magazine.

Podcast: Brodie Kostecki is back and the Auto Action RevLimiter is back to Wednesday Breakfast.

We talk about the return of Kostecki, the death of Bev Brock, and malaise overcoming F1. And then there’s all the latest news.. out now on your podcast app of choice or here Australia’s Leading Motorsport News Podcast | The RevLimiter

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