-

BACK TO RECENT RALLY EVENTS

The Winter Classic Rally, 1999
Queens Birthday Weekend
June 12 to 14, 1999

Ballarat Light Car ClubWinter Classic Rally

Ballarat in Winter can be cold, wet & dark - it was on Day 2
Jeff Beable at a controlThis year saw the third running of the BLCC=s >Peter Jacobs Solicitors Winter Classic Rally=. This event neatly filling the vacuum on the Queen=s Birthday weekend left created by the movement of The 3 Peaks Rally a few years ago to November. Despite the wintery conditions in Ballarat there were sufficient people suffering withdrawal symptoms from their last rally (Targa Tasmania or the Grand Prix Rally) to put together and impressive field for the event.

The club was well represented and the following members (in no particular order) lined up for the event. 

  • Jeff & Nerida Beable, 1997 Nissan GTR V Spec N1
  • Chris & Dee Stephen, 1998 Mercedes Benz C43 AMG
  • Tony Hawker & Larry Walker, 1985 Alfa Romeo GTV6
  • Brett Bedggood & Travis Melottte, 1972 Porsche 911
  • Stephen & Brian Canny, 1996 Holden Commodore
  • Jim Reark & Travis Williams, 1975 Ferrari Dino 308GT4
  • Peter Washington & Tony Forras, 1987 Toyota MR2
  • Phillip Schudmak & James Earl, 1959 Porsche 356A
  • Andrew Gregory & Jamie Leach, 1997 Maserati Ghibli Cup
  • Greg Aimers & Peter Royston, 1994 Nissan 200SX
  • Greg Mullenger & Paul Leach, 1995 Porsche 968 CS
  • Colin Templer & Leigh Sampson, 1997 Holden Torana A9X
  • Stephen & Phillip Lack, 1992 Nissan GT-iR
  • John Hardy & Darren McKemmish,
  • 1967 Alpine Renault A110 1600S

John Hardy waiting for a startThis year the event changed headquarters, moving from the Mercure Inn to the Blythewood Grange. From the standpoint of the event the move was a good one, providing a large dining area for breakfast and evening meals (a converted Church ... seemed appropriate), a convenient Rally Start and Parking area and whilst out of town was close to Victoria Park, the site of a closed stage each morning. The weather in Ballarat could have been better, but then it is the WINTER Classic Rally. (Strangely each time we moved more than 10 or 20 kms from that city, the sun came out and conditions were great.)

Peter Washington in the MR2 consoling an official from the warmth of his carThe event itself was a hard-fought contest and very competitive. There were a number of competitors with recent GP Rally experience in the field, including Peter Gazzard & Michael Pitt in their 1999 Subaru WRX STI the winners of that event this year. The GP Rally competitors seemed particularly well equipped to handle the gymkhana/motorkhana type events.

At the end of the event it was Peter & Anne Riseborough in their 1999 Subaru WRX STI who emerged the winners (narrowly) from Jeff and Nerida Beable. John Hardy despite his hardships in recent events with unexpected mechanical problems turned it all around and finished equal first on handicap (with Peter & Anne Riseborough) and won class.

If the purpose of these events is to have some fun and enjoy the variety of challenges offered to both Drivers and Navigators then it was surely hugely successful. This event offers something for everyone, that=s why it seems to have rightfully cemented itself a permanent spot in the rally calendar. Congratulations to the BLCC for a well managed and professional event.

A more detailed account of this event is provided by Andrew Gregory entitled: AA Driver=s Perspective@.

 
TO TOP OF THIS PAGE
 

 Maserati 3500GT
MASERATI CLUB OF AUSTRALIA, Inc.
PO Box 6058  CROMER  VIC  3193  AUSTRALIA		 Phone:
Fax:		 61  3  9589 4906
61  3  9589 4907
Send mail to with any questions or comments. 
Copyright Reark Pty Ltd. All rights reserved. 
Last updated:   Thursday, January 27, 2011.