The Bega Valley Rally is back in more ways than one with the 41st event to be held across the June long weekend.
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Rally stages will be held over two days and run across Bega roads before heading south of Eden for the second day of competition.
Driver-turned race director Ian Slater said it is an exciting time for the community as the rally returns to its roots in a win-win for motorsport fans.
“There is a lot of hurdles you have to cross, but we’re excited to have legs on the Upper Cobargo Road, Buckajo Road and the Snake track,” Slater said.
“We are expecting a few teething problems, but nothing we can’t handle and we’re really excited to have Bega back on the map for rallying.”
Momsen Motors has thrown its support behind the event as a major sponsor and Slater said he was extremely grateful for their help getting this year’s rally off the ground.
The opening northern stages will be held as a "welcome all comers” special stage that won’t count for championship points.
Meanwhile, the Bega Showground will form a base for Saturday’s race legs with the full compliment of cars on display from about noon.
Spectators will also have the chance to check out the cars and meet some of the race teams competing over the weekend, which will feature stages in the NSW and Victorian Rally Championship series.
Slater said it was thrilling to feature two days of driving, but care was also being made to look after local roads.
“We want to showcase that we’re not just nuts fanging around the bush,” Slater said.
“Drivers will face a two-minute time penalty if they spin the tyres off the line and tear the road up.”
As an Eden driver, Slater said he had enjoyed the event held in Eden, but was driven to ensure the Bega rally returned to its namesake.
Slater said it had been a four-year discussion with the council to get approval for Bega-based legs of the rally and he was excited to make a comeback in the northern end of the shire.
Slater also commended Councillor Russell Fitzpatrick, who helped advocate the event
Entries for the two-day rally feature will open soon, but Slater expects a number of local racers to contest the event and pressure the visiting drivers.
“Ben Barker is a likely entry and I think he could be the race favourite with his local knowledge and his driving prowess,” Slater said.
Slater, who drove a striking yellow Mitsubishi Evo in previous events won’t be competing this year, but said his son was likely to operate the car as a club vehicle – checking the courses ahead of stages and other duties.
And it’s not just the locals who are excited to see the event return.
Winners of the 2012 event Mick Harding and Julie Boorman are ready to take on the event again.
“The Bega Valley Rally was always one of the best events every year, with brilliant roads and a great atmosphere. I can’t wait to get back out there and have another crack at it,” Harding told Rally NSW.
Despite challenges affecting the event, community support had been overwhelming for organisers.
A survey was published last year in regards to holding the rally and of more than 500 returned slips, just one person gave negative feedback.
“To only have one negative, I thought that was unbelievable,” Slater said.
“The club is proud to bring this historic event back to the Australian rally calendar, and we intend to bring it back in all its glory.”
“We’ve had such a positive response from the rally community that we’re certain to have a big field.”
Entries are set to open next week.