Subaru Rally Tasmania is less than two weeks away, with another huge crowd expected to soak up plenty of the free rally action across the weekend.
Following a highly successful return to the CAMS Australian Rally Championship last year, the event is back in 2019 with all motor sport fans being encouraged to enjoy the event’s amazing atmosphere across the weekend.
Last year was the first time in more than decade that Tasmania was on the ARC calendar and local Tasmanians certainly got behind the event, with a large crowd at the Iveresk Super Special Stage and various spectator points on the stages surrounding Launceston.
Local favourites Steve Glenney and Andy Sarandis saluted with the quickest time at the Super Special Stage, giving the home crowd plenty to cheer about heading into two days of on stage action.
As the event progressed, eventual 2018 ARC champions Eli Evans and Ben Searcy ended up as winners after claiming the first heat and coming second on Sunday.
This year, the Super Special Stage is back again in Inveresk and the full stage will be visible to the fans as competitors take on the 900 metre sprint around the Roundhouse.
Following the rally action on Friday night, spectators will then get the opportunity to get up close and personal with the cars and drivers, who will be parked at the Roadhouse.
On Saturday, while the competitors will be completing 10 stages throughout the forests of Launceston, fans will get the best viewing on Mount Scott for stages three and eight, where competitors will blast through and make a tight right turn into the forest.
There will be seven stages on Sunday, with spectators getting four opportunities to watch the action go by. The first being North Retreat, which hosts stages 13 and 16, while Lonestar Ridge will have stages 14 and 17.
The North Retreat is around 20 minutes outside of Lilydale and the Ridge is within the Lisle Forest where spectators will be able to view cars travel through a long straight, big jump before a 90 degree turn, making for intriguing viewing.
At different points throughout both days, the cars will return to the Inveresk Service Park for their mechanics to fix any damage or tweak their setups to ensure they are quick as they can be. This will be another opportunity for fans to hover around and watch the crews work their magic.
At the conclusion of the event, cars from both the ARC and the Dunlop-Motul CAMS Tasmanian Rally Championship will be parked at the Peppers Silo Hotel for the podium, allowing fans will to have one last chance to get close to the drivers and their cars.
With all available stages free all weekend, motor sport fans are encouraged to make their way down and enjoy one of the most entertaining rounds on the calendar.
The Subaru Rally Tasmania takes place around the forests of Launceston on 21 – 23 June.