MEDIA RELEASE

The Clubman Competition at the WPS Rally Bathurst has been haled as a success with more than 30 competitors from all over Australia taking part in the event over the weekend.

Top honours in the category went to Gerald Schofield and Ray Baker competing in their Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 6.

The Clubman Rally was especially designed for competitors who do not qualify for the Globalstar Australian Rally Championship Series (GARC).

Event Director, James O'Brien said the strong field of 33 teams contained a mix of younger and more experienced drivers running on exactly the same course as the big league GARC competitors.

“A lot of work has been put into organising the WPS Rally Bathurst as we put together a program that would stand the test of Australia 's best rally teams and provide an opportunity for keen enthusiasts who have come from right around Australia , to compete.

“The beauty of the Clubman category is that it provided experienced rally drivers the opportunity to see how they compare to the professional GARC teams.  Up-and-coming drivers were able to use the event to see what skills they need to improve prior to attempting to make the step up to the premier competition.”

The Clubman category added double the dirt flying action to the WPS Rally Bathurst experience.

“With most of the Clubman entrants heading into the forest stages blind, on the first day of competition, there was plenty of raw rally action and almost the same number of entrants in both classes providing spectators with twice the on-track action.

“As well as the entertainment value of the Clubman Rally the class provided the crowd with the opportunity to see some old favourites in action with the class made up of some classic model  Mitsubishis, Subarus and even a couple of Datsuns.”

Overall Results

WPS Rally Bathurst – Classic

John Hills/Mike Tuckey - Ford Escort

WPS Rally Bathurst – Clubman

1 st Class P1 - Nigel Swan/Martin McLoughlin - Mazda 323

1 st Class P2 - Russell Dixon /Julie Boorman - Daihatsu Charade

1 st Class P3 - Simon Knowles/Margot Knowles - Suzuki Baleno GTXi

1 st Class P6 - Mick Baldwn/Benjamin Ray - Subaru Liberty

Outright Awards

3 rd Outright & 1 st Class P4 – Ron Moore/Paul Bennett – Holden VK Commodore

2 nd Outright & 1 st Class P5 – Shawn Urquhart/Brian Price – Mitsubishi Lancer

1 st Outright & 1 st Class N4 – Gerald Schofield/Ray Baker – Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 6