ARC secures four event extensions

Four more Australian Rally Championship (ARC) events have had their futures locked-away, with the WA, QLD, SA, and VIC rounds all extending their contracts.

Extending their existing agreements with Motorsport Australia, the Forest Rally, Rally Queensland, Adelaide Hills Rally and Gippsland Rally will also feature into the short to long term ARC future.

The Forest Rally in WA has been held every year since 1974 with the exception of the pandemic years (making it the longest serving event of the current calendar) has extended its ARC stay for a further three years.

Long-time Clerk of Course and Event Organiser Ross Tapper OAM was pleased to see the Forest Rally locked away for another three years, continuing the event’s long and storied history.

“We’re proud to host the longest running event on the ARC calendar, adding another three years to Forest Rally’s 50-year history,” Tapper said.

Harry bates took out the 2024 Forest Rally in WA

“Every year we challenge ourselves to deliver the best event for competitors and spectators alike, so we’re very pleased to be continuing this fantastic event at its home in Busselton, Nannup and surrounds.

“A Western Australian event has been a hallmark of the ARC calendar for many years and the Forest Rally is a much-loved and spectated event for locals.”

Extending its future for a further two years, Rally Queensland, first unreduced in 1968, has been recently hosted by the town of Gympie, which this year attracted 60 crews.

“We’ve seen strong entry numbers and incredible local support for our event in recent years and are very pleased to announce its continuation,” Clerk of Course, Brian Everitt said.

“We’re incredibly lucky to call Gympie home and believe we have some of the best rally stages on the calendar to continually attract and challenge competitors.

Rally Queensland has found a successful home in the regions of Gympie and Imbil

Similarly, the Adelaide Rally has also added two years onto its agreement through to 2026, with the popular SA round also next up on the 2024 calendar.

Event Organiser Andrew Admiraal was pleased to see the rally continue in and around the council and shire roads of the Adelaide Hills, and beautiful Fleurieu Peninsula regions going forward.

“We are very pleased to keep the ARC in our region for another two years and bring rallying to spectators across the Adelaide Hills,” said Admiraal.

Last season the Adelaide Hills Rally featured a stadium sprint stage at Tailem Bend

“It has been great to see the ARC grow the way it had in the last couple of years and continue to gain interest from competitors and spectators.

“We’re gearing up for next weekend’s 2024 Adelaide Hills Rally and can’t wait to continue to deliver this wonderful event in future.”

Last but not least, after record number of crews at this year’s event which was also an ARC season high, Victoria’s Middle of Everywhere Gippsland Rally has added a one year extension to ensure its spot in 2025.

Clerk of Course and Event Organiser Andrew Roseman was pleased to confirm Gippsland as the home of the Victorian edition of the ARC in 2025.

“The 2025 event will mark the fourth year that the Gippsland Rally has formed part of the national championship, something we’re incredibly proud to deliver in the region,” Roseman said.

This years Gippsland Rally attracted a season high 63 crews

“Last month’s rally was a fantastic event and we received wonderful feedback from competitors and spectators over the weekend, so we’re excited to be going around for another year.

“We think 2025 is going to be bigger and better than ever before and look forward to delivering another exceptional event.”

The 2025 calendar will be released shortly, with the fifth round of this year’s championship – led by Toyota’s Harry Bates and co-driver Coral Taylor – to take place in and around the Adelaide Hills on September 13-15.

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