The KickAss Products Motorsport Australia Queensland Rally Championship (QRC) resumes this weekend with the picturesque Coffs Coast to host the second round of the 2024 season.
A strong field of 41 crews from New South Wales and Queensland are entered in the Quality Accounting Coffs Coast Rally, where they will tackle 125 competitive kilometres over nine stages, spread over two heats.
Headlining the entry list is multiple-time Bosch Motorsport Australia Rally Championship (ARC) podium getter Richie Dalton, who will be running in the Classics behind the wheel of Ford Mk II Escort.
While Dalton will undoubtedly be attracting plenty of interest, the battle for the outright victory will be just as entertaining with the likes of Glenn Brinkman, Ian Menzies, Joshua Redhead, Mal Keough and Erik Johnsson likely contenders.
Leading the way is young gun Ryan Williams, who will be looking to bounce back from a disappointing season opener where he was forced to retire due to mechanical issues, while rising star Josh Wiedman will be hoping to post times towards the top of the time sheets.
With the event utilising roads from when the FIA World Rally Championship was held in Coffs Harbour for Rally Australia, there will be lots of familiarity for experienced rally crews.
Clerk of Course Peter Flynn was looking forward to the event and paid tribute to event organisers and Coffs Harbour & District Sporting Car Club.
“I believe crews will find this a challenging event with different characteristics,” Flynn said.
“Tight and technical and fast and flowing with different amounts of each coming into play at different times. It will reward the crews who are precise on the calls.
“Sam Hill and the Coffs team have done a sterling job of answering the challenges presented in a short time. The Coffs Coast Community is right behind the event along with Council and local business.
“Officials are always a key part of the day and I think they will have an enjoyable time, as we all revisit the iconic roads of WRC past. I am so pleased the event is going ahead and it deserves all the QRC community’s support.”
In addition to the KickAss Products Motorsport Australia Queensland Rally Championship, the Acworth Recruitment QRC Clubman Series and Woolgoolga Service Centre Novice Series will also be taking place across the weekend, while a special all-comers class will be open for those competitors not participating in the QRC.
For those wanting to attend the rally, there will be one spectator point at the junction of Gentle Annie Road & Sherwood Road, where the cars will pass at 9:35am, 11:50am and 2:25pm AEST.
Fans can also see the cars up close and personal at multiple parts during the day by visiting the Service Park at Coramba Sports and Recreation Fields.
Get more information on the event here.
The Quality Accounting Coffs Coast Rally will be based out of Coramba and take place in the forests of Coffs Harbour on Saturday 25 May.