The calendar for the 2023 RSEA Safety Motorsport Australia Rally Championship (ARC) has been confirmed with six rounds to make up the season.
In what is a similar schedule to this year’s championship, the 2023 ARC season will be spread over eight months and will welcome many of the same events.
The biggest change to the schedule for crews to make note of is the season opener, which moves from the nation’s capital to the Apple Isle for the Rally Launceston.
The popular National Capital Rally, which has held the honour of opening the ARC season since 2019, will now run as the grand finale - the notoriously difficult rally the perfect place to wrap up the season.
In between Tasmania and Canberra are visits to Western Australia, Queensland, Victoria and South Australia with favourable gaps scheduled between each round.
Following on from Tasmania’s opening round at the end of March, the ARC heads out west in the middle of May for the Forest Rally before heading to Queensland in July.
After heavy rain forced the cancellation of this year's Rally Queensland, the Brisbane Sporting Car Club will have another attempt at running the 50th edition of the rally.
A similar order to 2022 succeeds the season’s third round with Gippsland Rally to take place in August and South Australia to host the Adelaide Hills Rally in October.
The season will then wrap up in November with the National Capital Rally.
Motorsport Australia Director of Motorsport & Commercial Operations, Michael Smith was happy with the diversity of the calendar.
“We’re really pleased with how the 2023 RSEA Safety Motorsport Australia Rally Championship schedule is looking and there are plenty of benefits for all stakeholders,” Smith said.
“A six-round season is a good representation for what a competitive championship should be, as we head to all corners of the country and allow a decent amount of downtime between each round.
“I think having these bigger breaks is significant for the longevity of the season, as it gives teams more time to work on their cars ahead of each round – especially in the opening three rounds where there are three events requiring the most amount of travelled distance.
“This calendar is also favourable to all event organisers and clubs, as crews having more time to prepare may be the difference on if they go or not, which will help with entry numbers at each event.
“There is also the added benefit of Tasmania and Canberra happening in warmer seasons, meaning that nice weather should play a big role in attracting competitors.
“All in all, we’re content with this calendar and really looking forward to what will be another fantastic season of the ever growing championship.”
The 2022 RSEA Safety Motorsport Australia Rally Championship season has two rounds remaining with the Adelaide Hills Rally up next on 23-25 October.
2023 RSEA Safety Motorsport Australia Rally Championship Calendar
Round 1: Rally Launceston, Tasmania – 24-26 March
Round 2: Forest Rally, WA – 19-21 May
Round 3: Rally Queensland, Gympie – 14-16 July
Round 4: Gippsland Rally, Victoria – 25-27 August
Round 5: Adelaide Hills Rally, SA – 13-15 October
Round 6: National Capital Rally, Canberra – 24-26 November